Kickoff for Regular Operations in Bensheim: On November 15, 2023, the first fast-charging system with an energy storage solution for electric buses was officially put into operation. Image: ©Adaptive Balancing Power
The development work for the pilot project “Buffered-HLL” by a consortium of five industry and research partners has paid off: On November 15, 2023, the first fast-charging system for electric buses by Verkehrsgesellschaft Gersprenztal mbH (VGG) was officially commissioned in Bensheim, Hesse. The charging solution is based on energy storage, which can be quickly and demand-appropriately delivered via a pantograph at a later time. Measurement specialist Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co. KG enables compliant measurement of energy quantities with a new generation of DC meters and provides all collected data via the cloud.
After initial successful tests, regular operations began on November 15, 2023: The first storage and charging system for electric buses in regional public transport in Germany was commissioned at the Bensheim bus station. This represents an important step in the electrification of public transport in rural areas, where longer distances pose a challenge for range. Thanks to the energy storage technology, large, heavy, and costly battery solutions can be avoided.
“We are very pleased and proud that this important flagship project is being implemented here in Bensheim. The new high-performance charging station for electric buses at the station is another innovative component in our city to explore new ways in energy supply and mobility transition,” emphasized Bensheim’s Environmental Commissioner Nicole Rauber-Jung, who thanked the many diverse project partners.
The core of the ultra-fast charging solution is the flywheel energy storage system from Adaptive Balancing Power, which temporarily stores energy and delivers it as needed via a pantograph to the bus. The innovation: The charging process for an entire route is completed in just 150 seconds during the stop for boarding and alighting, thus not restricting bus operations. Dr. Hendrik Schaede-Bodenschatz, Managing Director of Adaptive Balancing Power GmbH, stated: “The mobility of the future must be climate-neutral, reliable, affordable, and practical. That’s exactly what we are developing and producing the right charging and storage technologies for.”
To accurately and legally measure the energy flows during the charging process, consortium leader Isabellenhütte uses a new generation of DC meters: the IEM-DCR, which is mechanically compact and suitable for various power sizes. The DC meter measures both the amount of energy transferred from the storage system to the bus and the energy flowing into or out of the storage system (for monitoring internal energy flow). It also measures the energy drawn from the grid. In addition to legally compliant measurement, Isabellenhütte also ensures the secure transmission of data to a cloud and makes it available to users (bus operators, network operators, or charging station operators). Dr. Jan Marien, Head of Research and Development at Isabellenhütte, highlights the importance of a highly accurate measurement sensor: “The development of state-of-the-art measurement technology makes the transition to e-mobility possible. We are the invisible enablers for safety, transparency, and billing of the mobility transition.”
CuroCon GmbH realizes the entire power electronics and communication between charging infrastructure and e-bus. The engineering service provider has extensive experience in charging infrastructure and high-tech automation of industrial systems and applications in stationary, mobile, and energy sectors.
The project is scientifically supported by the Berlin-based Reiner Lemoine Institute, which is investigating the complete conversion of approximately 100 VGG buses to battery-electric drives. According to the scientists, the conversion is desirable but not feasible for all bus routes without intermediate charging. A fast-charging station with flywheel energy storage could be implemented at 16 end stops of the VGG, which would reduce planning and investment costs compared to other charging solutions.
The pioneering work being done here for the mobility transition in rural areas is intended to be transferred to other public transport networks after successful completion of the project in the coming year.
The partner companies of the consortium with City Councilor Nicole Rauber-Jung in front of the electric bus.
From left to right: Hendrik Schäde-Bodenschatz (Adaptive Balancing Power), Martin Wissmüller (VGG Verkehrsgesellschaft Gersprenztal), Michael Wißbach (Curocon), Dr. Jan Marien (Isabellenhütte), Julian Brendel (Reiner Lemoine Institute), Nicole Rauber-Jung (City Councilor and Environmental Commissioner)
State-of-the-Art Technology Enables the Transition to E-Mobility: The DC meter IEM-DCR from Isabellenhütte precisely and legally measures the energy flows during the charging process. Image: ©Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co. KG