Overview
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The use of electromobility in refuse collection promises a significant reduction in noise and pollutant emissions. The frequent braking which occurs during the refuse collection process offers great potential for the recovery of braking energy. Low-noise refuse collection vehicles can also be used in the early morning and late evening hours, thus contributing to reduced congestion during peak traffic hours. In order to demonstrate the technical suitability and cost-effectiveness of electromobility in the waste management industry, ElektroAES waste collection vehicles with a hybrid truck chassis and all-electric refuse collection mechanisms will be developed and tested under practical conditions. In addition, rapid-charging stations will be installed to optimise the charging process. Using this new technology should result in a 30% reduction in fuel and CO2 emissions throughout the entire system.
Within the framework of the project, tests under everyday circumstances will be made on three refuse collection vehicles equipped with a three-axle hybrid chassis, type Volvo 6x2 Hybrid FES, as well as on different types of all-electric refuse collection mechanisms from the manufacturer NTM Närpes Trä & Metall. During this process, a refuse compactor vehicle will be tested by Potsdam's city sanitation department; Berlin's city sanitation department will utilise a bulky waste removal vehicle and a side-loader will be tried out by the Oberhavel Waste Management Union. While the chassis batteries recover energy during the braking process, the refuse collection mechanisms are to be recharged at night via a plug-in system over an electric power socket at the depot. Intelligent charging stations, charged primarily through wind power, will be installed for this purpose. In addition, technical and economic parameters will be analysed and a battery management system developed in order to optimise electric refuse collection. The vehicles are equipped with an automatic start-stop function which ensures that the diesel engine automatically shuts off at low speeds and at standstill.