O-Bus

O-Bus Bergisches Land - Energie- und Kostenstudie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Nachhaltigkeitsaspekte

(O-Bus Bergisches Land - Energy and cost studies with particular consideration of sustainability aspects)

Duration: 2011 - 2013

Client: German association of traffic participants, Regionalverband Bergisches Land

Project partners: Chair of electrical energy supply technology, University of Wuppertal (Univ.-Prof.Dr.-Ing. Markus Zdrallek), Traffic enterprises of Solingen

Objective: The road networks and the three cities Solingen, Wuppertal and Remscheid in the Bergisches Land share significant altitude differences over short distances. Buses driving downhill can transfer the gained potentail energy to other buses driving uphill if they are energetically connected in one energy system. This system already works in the existing O-Bus network in Solingen.

The objective of this study lies in the investigation of the energy and environmental efficiency of the O-Bus system in Solingen compared to a system which operates with diesel buses. Thereby, an analysis of the direct current electrical network supplying the O-buses is made by the Chair of electrical energy supply technology of the University of Wuppertal (Prof. Dr. Markus Zdrallek). Additionally, the Chair of Production and Logistics of the University of Wuppertal (Prof. Dr. Grit Walther) assess the O-Bus system in comparison to a diesel bus system based on decision-relevant costs and their environmental impacts.

To determine the relevant data for the analysis the study is closely coordinated with the traffic enterprises of Solingen.