Unique Swedish refuse collection vehicle runs on gas and loads using electric power

Unique Swedish refuse collection vehicle runs on gas and loads using electric power Waste and recycling company Renova of Gothenburg, Sweden, has developed a refuse collection vehicle that is unique in the world today. It uses gas-electric hybrid technology, and was developed in cooperation with Swedish companies Volvo Trucks, Norba and ETP. The new vehicle is equipped with an ingenious combination of a gas engine with a highly efficient catalytic converter and electric-powered waste compactor, greatly reducing environmental impact with lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and quieter operation. When the vehicle stops for refuse collection, the natural gas powered engine stops automatically. Loading and compacting is then powered by the electric motor. Measurements show that this type of rear loading refuse collection vehicle normally is idling for 60-70 percent of its shift. "Our new refuse collection vehicles are quieter and more environment- friendly than any previous solution. This new vehicle meets the requirements in the anticipated Euro 4 standard. I'm convinced that electric hybrid technology will become the model for other heavy vehicles working in our densely populated urban areas in other industries as well," says Renova's CEO Christian Baarlid. Renova AB has received EUR 1.3 million from the EU's environment fund LIFE to develop, evaluate and perform full-scale testing of 10 electric hybrid refuse collection vehicles in densely populated residential areas in central Gothenburg. The aim of the project is to measure the environmental impact of the vehicle in relation to petrol-powered refuse collection vehicles. The project is being run in close cooperation with the City of Gothenburg. In total, Renova has purchased 14 gas-electric hybrid refuse collection vehicles, which will be delivered successively between November 2003 and June 2004. Volvo Trucks will deliver 10 of the vehicles and Mercedes Benz the other four. Norba AB is supplying the refuse collection and compaction unit for all 14 vehicles. All the vehicles run on natural gas (vehicle gas). In total, the purchase will amount to around EUR 2.8 million. The Volvo vehicles can load around 6 tonnes of refuse while the Mercedes vehicles can load around 10 tonnes of refuse. The Mercedes vehicles can also empty containers. The four Mercedes vehicles to be delivered in 2004 to Gothenburg will also be equipped with water hydraulics. All vehicles will be operated in central Gothenburg in accordance with a separate agreement with the Kretsloppskontoret, the office responsible for waste collection and recycling, water and sanitation for the City of Gothenburg. For Gothenburg, the electric hybrid refuse collection vehicles are an important part of the city's efforts to reduce emissions and noxious substances, and to reduce noise levels in the city's streets and squares. Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city with 474,000 inhabitants and is situated on its west coast. . Background Renova AB Based in Gothenburg, Renova AB is western Sweden's leading waste and recycling company. The company is owned by 11 municipal authorities, and offers municipal councils and businesses services covering the entire recycling chain - consultation, training, transport, sorting and treatment of waste including composting, incineration for energy recycling and landfill. Renova handles close to 700,000 tonnes of waste each year. Its vehicle fleet consists of around 105 heavy vehicles, of which 50 are rear loading. For many years, Renova has been active in finding new solutions for reducing the environmental impact of the transportation of waste. As early as in 1994, Renova in cooperation with Volvo Trucks modified a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle to run on natural gas. Today, Renova has 33 medium--heavy to heavy Volvo trucks that run on natural gas. This investment in natural gas driven vehicles is unique in Sweden and in the world at large. In another similar effort to reduce environmental impact at Renova, water (containing propylene glycol as anti-freeze) is used instead of oil in the waste compaction unit's hydraulics system. Refuse collection vehicles idle 70% of the time The background to the electric hybrid project is that rear loading refuse collection vehicles need to use the propulsion engine to operate the loading and compaction unit even when the vehicle is stationary. This involves both idling and heavy acceleration when the waste container unit is loaded and emptied and when the waste is compacted. Residents and others in the vicinity often experience these operations as noisy. A study of the collection of household waste has shown that the driving time for a two-man operated rear-loading refuse collection vehicle in a built-up area varies from 19 to 35 percent. The remainder of the time, the vehicle is stationary, and is idling and operating the hydraulics. Refuse collection vehicles are thus idling or running at low loads for 60-70 percent of their working time. Noise and emissions significantly reduced With Renova's new electric hybrid refuse collection vehicles, these problems have found a solution. The new electric hybrid vehicle eliminates exhaust gas emissions and almost all noise when the vehicle is operating while stationary. Thirty seconds after the driver has stopped the vehicle for the collection of waste, the natural gas engine is switched off automatically. An electric motor then drives the hydraulics for lifting and emptying waste bins of various sizes, and for feeding in and compressing the waste. The operating cycle of the unit is 23 seconds. In addition, some vehicles can be used for emptying containers using a winch installed on the refuse container's roof. When the driver is ready to drive to the next collection point, he pushes a button on the instrument panel to start the natural gas engine again. The batteries are charged during the night or if necessary while the vehicle is in motion. The engine is started with an ignition key only at the start of each shift. Better work environment In the development of the new vehicles, consideration for the driver's work environment was also important - with the goal being to reduce the number of unnecessary operations as far as possible. The views of refuse collection workers have been made put to use well in the development work. Less noise has made it easier for refuse collectors to talk to each other while working, which has reduced stress. In addition, refuse collectors can now also communicate more easily with customers. Construction and functions of the vehicle Ten of the electric hybrid vehicles are 18 tonne, two-axle Volvo FL trucks with gas engines. This vehicle can load up to 6 tonnes of waste. Four of the trucks are 26 tonne three-axle Mercedes trucks that can load around 10 tonnes of waste. The engines are optimised for natural gas (CNG) and biogas. The engines sense and adapt their operation to the quality of the gas in the tank. The tank pressure is 200 bars. The refuse compactor is a Norba RL 200A. All hydraulics are operated by a 72 V electric motor. The unit raises the waste container and compacts the waste. The motor is load-sensing, that is, only the amount of electricity needed for the load is used. A hydraulic backpressure plate in its front wall provides the compaction inside the container. ETP AB developed the solutions for energy storage and motor control. New catalytic converter The Volvo trucks are equipped with a new type of catalytic converter, Ecat, which operates at a significantly higher temperature than previous catalytic converters. This greatly facilitates the oxidation of the greenhouse gas methane. Over 80% of the methane gas can be removed from the exhaust gases by this means. The catalytic converter is supplied by Enklaven AB, a company located in western Sweden. Of course these new environment-friendly refuse collection vehicles are also fitted with the latest in peripherals for refuse collection today. This information and high-resolution images for use at no charge are available from Renova's homepage www.renova.se More information can also be obtained from www.cleanowa.net Christian Kallerdahl, PR Manager Renova AB, Box 156, S-40122 Gothenburg, Sweden Mobile: +46 (0)705 678 672 E-mail: christian.kallerdahl@renova.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/25/20031125BIT00150/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/25/20031125BIT00150/wkr0002.pdf