ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FOR SHUNTING, SUBURBAN TRAFFIC, COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND FERRIES
Worldwide, oil products dominate transport to 99%. This enormous dependence is dangerous. The globalised production needs cheap transport. If the oil prize increases drastically, the system becomes unstable. Who knows how long the oil prize will remain stable? It would be wise to look for alternatives now.
In cooperation with the foundation Swiss Excellence and two Swiss Universities, DLM has worked out a study proposing oil-free alternatives in transport. The study had been ordered by the Swiss Department of Energy BFE and is available in German only, but heavily illustrated. To see or download please click :
The advantages of storage technology are immense, since any form of energy can be used:
- Reduction of dependence on oil
Use of "free energy" such as waste heat, geothermal and solar thermal
CO2-neutral operation with biomass
Significantly lower capital, operating and maintenance costs
Emission-free operation, no oxygen requirement (important for tunnel work and rescue operations)
No energy loss due to idling (diesel locomotives have an idling share of 75% in shunting operation, up to 95% in unloading operation)
Great reduction in noise compared to that of internal combustion engines
New: Heating containers for use away from energy centers. In cooperation with an industrial partner, a 20 'ISO heating container with wood chip firing was developed. Based on the same calorific value, wood chips cost about a quarter of the diesel oil.
Combined heat and power (CHP): In CHP systems, waste heat is used in addition to electricity production. This increases efficiency and economy. Most CHP systems have an excess of heat, which will increase in the future if the heat is used to heat buildings. This heat demand is seasonal and is decreasing due to the climate-related decrease in heating degree days, improvements in house insulation and the spread of the Minergie standard. The storage technology offers the advantage of using the heating part of the CHP plants all year round.