EVERETT TRANSIT Vincent Bruscas How to electrify a fleet?
How to electrify a fleet? Started with a simple question. Not such a simple answer. What questions to ask? Who to ask? Where to start?
The Big Electric Question Can Everett Transit convert the fleet to all electric buses in the next ten years?
Starting questions Everett Transits existing fleet? Replacement program? Budget resources? Infrastructure? Electric bus capabilities? Charging capabilities?
Assumptions Skip the first three questions. How much energy is used to operate the system? Infrastructure needed new electrical service. How to charge the system? (Slow charger vs fast charger)
How much energy to operate the system? Looked at published mpge. Looked at individual vehicle mileage, replace bus for bus. Looked at route mileage, serve one route with all e-buses. Looked at separate ways to answer the question. 1. How much diesel did ET use last year? 2. How much diesel used by vehicles? 3. How many miles did ET travel? 4. How many miles per vehicle? 5. How many miles per route?
Infrastructure Overhead trolley wires or batteries? Slow charge overnight or quick charge? Transformer and utility box placement? Need engineering help? Took the direct approach and called the local PUD and introduced my project. How much power to run 49 electric buses? How fast can I charge the buses?
How to charge the system? Fast chargers vs Slow chargers Opportunity charging vs Depot charging Easy answer to questions. Grant request was for depot chargers. Head off to Battery University Batteries Range = number of battery packs Lithium ion fast exchange rate/lower energy storage Iron phosphate lower exchange rate/higher energy storage. What about batteries?
Ask the expert Thank you, Vincent Bruscas 3225 Cedar Street Everett, WA 98201 vbruscas@everettwa.gov 425-257-8989
Center for Electromechanics The University of Texas at Austin Michael Lewis Senior Engineering Scientist mclewis@cem.utexas.edu
Planning for Electric Buses Avoid the Buy and Test Approach Eliminate route planning and fueling logistics guess work Perform What If Scenarios Compare and evaluate multiple vehicles and service scenarios Successful Deployment! Know how your vehicles will perform before they ever hit the street
The Competition Diesel fuel has an enormous energy storage advantage On site fuel storage 10,000 gallon storage tank 370 MWh 5 acres of batteries! Diesel fuel pumps 30 gallons per minute 1100 kwh/min 66 MW
Operational Challenges for Electric Buses Range Vehicle efficiency Onboard energy storage Refueling Time to recharge Charging infrastructure availability
Predictive Energy Consumption Modeling Dynamic power systems modeling with customizable components Quickly evaluate multiple electric bus models on YOUR routes PRC Campus Hybrid 5/29/20 Avoid buy and test approach Proven ability to match vehicle performance and energy consumption within 5-10%
Modeling Approach
Which Electric Bus model? Depot or Opportunity Charge Battery type Everett Transit Example How long to recharge and how many chargers? What are operating costs and implications for electric utility service?
Modeling for Everett Transit Collected data on 6 routes Variable speeds and grade Modeled typical electric bus configurations Depot and On-route opportunity charging Quantified energy consumption and charging time Consulted with local utility provider for rates Speed [mph] Grade [%] Elevation [m] 60 40 20 Speed 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Time [min] Grade 10 5 0-5 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Time [min] Elevation 200 150 100 50 0 0 5 10 15 20 Distance [km] Determined expected operating costs Contingencies for possible worst case operational scenarios
Planning for Electric Buses Avoid the Buy and Test Approach Eliminate route planning and fueling logistics guess work Perform What If Scenarios Compare and evaluate multiple vehicles and service scenarios Successful Deployment! Know how your vehicles will perform before they ever hit the street
Center for Electromechanics The University of Texas at Austin Michael Lewis Senior Engineering Scientist mclewis@cem.utexas.edu
University of Utah Alma Allred & Chad Larsen Where We Are Currently With Electric Vehicles
Or, It s Costly - Can We Charge It? Our first electric bus was about $560,000 The inductive charging station was $2,7000,000 (Paid by a Federal Grant.) Electrical costs were projected to be the equivalent of $1.30 for a gallon of fuel.
Our Interest in Electrification? As the state s flagship research university, we are supposed to be in the forefront in developing and transferring new knowledge and technology. Diesel fuel costs are killing us.
Our Interest in Electrification? We have a significant pollution problem.
Salt Lake Valley on a bad day.
Salt Lake Valley on a good day.
No oil changes Costs to Operate? No engine, drive line or battery maintenance costs in 3 years of operation. Also so far, no cost to my department for electricity.
Problems? If a charging problem occurs during the night the bus is out of service for 8 hours. It is dangerously quiet. Busybodies have a tendency to shut down our charging system at night.
We have ordered 2 New Flyer buses for delivery in June of 2018. The Future?