Siemens to bring eHighway demonstration to CaliforniaElectrified catenary system to provide economic and environmental benefits on routes near Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

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Siemens has been selected by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to install an eHighway system in the proximity of the Ports of Los Ange-les and Long Beach, the two largest ports in the U.S. This system in California will electrify select routes via an overhead system that supplies trucks with electric power, similar to how modern day trolleys or streetcars as powered. This project will not only be the first of its kind in the U.S., but the only fully-developed eHighway demonstration in the world.

The technology, similar to what is normally seen with trolley systems or streetcars, includes three components. First, the over-head contact lines make power available to the trucks along a road. Second, an active pantograph installed on the truck allows the transfer of electrical energy from the over-head contact lines to the vehicle. And third, trucks will utilize electric-hybrid drive tech-nology for full electric operation under the contact line but also continuous supply of power when outside of the contact lines from a hybrid engine.

usa.siemens.com/mobility

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The contact line system is designed as a two-pole system to handle power infeed and outfeed because, unlike rail tech-nology, the current return circuit cannot flow via the road. Overhead contact lines are installed to ensure a secure energy supply at speeds up to 60 mph. A power supply sta-tion located near the eHighway site provides power to the overhead contact lines and can be equipped to collect energy from braking vehicles, often referring to as regenerative braking. This energy can then be fed back to other vehicles or the grid, further increasing the energy efficiency compo-nents of the technology.

The active pantographs atop eHighway trucks transfer the energy from the overhead lines to the truck’s electric motors. The pantograph is moveable, meaning it can connect and disconnect with the contact line automatically at statutory speeds. As soon as the scanner located on the truck detects an overhead line, the pantograph is ready to connect and can be extended automatically or manually from inside the vehicle. This allows significant flexibility as the eHighway trucks can easily switch lanes or pass other vehicles without being permanently fixed to the overhead systems like a streetcar.

The electrified overhead lines, coupled with the flexible pan-tograph and the diesel-electric hybrid drive systems inside the truck result in a number of environmental and economic benefits. Both benefits are derived from the increased effi-ciency that an electric motor can offer compared to those using diesel. Roughly twice as much of the input energy reaches the wheel with this system. Or put another way, half as much energy is needed to move the same load. There is also a possibility to use regenerative braking which further improves the overall efficiency. This translates into signifi-cantly reduced operating costs, which can finance the invest-ment costs, especially on intensely used routes.

Locating the eHighway demonstration near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was no coincidence. These Ports are the two largest in the United States and truck travel is essen-tial to these key economic hubs. They need to make sure things are running smoothly and goods are flowing effi-ciently to and from the container ships. Electrification offers an ideal solution to transport goods on highly traveled truck routes that may be too short for other transportation options like rail.

Siemens is working with Volvo Group, via Mack Trucks, to develop a demonstration vehicle for the system The Mack truck used in the demonstration will be built on a conven-tional Mack Pinnacle model highway chassis and equipped with a proprietary and fully integrated hybrid electric drive-line. Siemens will also supply the “current collectors” to local California truck integrators whose vehicles will also be part of the demonstration.

The eHighway project is a real-world example of how electri-fication can be a viable solution for cleaner, more efficient modes of transportation not only on our railways, but on our roadways as well. Meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets and efficiently serving the transportation needs of a growing public can only be achieved with new solutions. Using elec-tricity is a key way to bring the transportation systems of yes-terday into the present and to test the ideas of tomorrow.

Siemens is a global leader in transportation innovation and technology. With our proven expertise, we are ensuring transportation projects across the country and the world are delivering enhanced mobility, safety and efficiency. Learn more about the eHighway solution - http://inr.synapticdigital.com/siemens/ehighway/

Images provided by Scanica © 2014

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