Mobility turnaround in rural areas: project launched for electrification in local public transport using flywheel storage systems

July 12^th, 2022 | The use of electric buses (e-buses) in local public transport is important for the transition in transportation. In order to work out how this task can be accomplished in rural areas, the RLI has now launched the Buffered HLL project together with other partners. The consortium is developing and testing a charging infrastructure for e-buses which enables high-performance charging by the use of flywheel storage at Bensheim region, Odenwald.

In the joint project, the RLI creates a strategy for the full electrification of buses and investigates the potential of charging technology for further applications. A grid friendly charging infrastructure with depot and opportunity charging for public transport is being developed, implemented and tested in regular operation over 18 months. The charging stations use flywheel storage systems as a buffer. This is intended to minimize the impact of fast charging on the power grid. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and will be completed in June 2024.

“For the transition in transportation to succeed, we have to face up to major challenges. The electrification of bus transport is one of them. Particularly in rural areas, where are longer cycle times and a lower grid performance, innovative solutions must be found. We are happy to contribute to the transiition by this project,” says project manager Julian Brendel from the RLI research area Mobility with Renewable Energies.

More information about the project is available on our project page.