B2 – Intelligent Mobility Station: Train station Berlin Suedkreuz

What could the transport sector of the future look like? Or to ask more precisely: How can different modes of transport be connected with each other and be supplied with environmentally friendly energy? What new strategies, technologies, and processes would be required?

RLI tried to answer these questions at Berlin’s third largest train station Südkreuz. In context of the program „Zukunftsbahnhof Berlin Südkreuz“ („Train Station of the Future“), the station has been used as a case study for an intelligent, intermodal traffic hub. RLI has been in charge of scientific supervision and headed the part of the project that focused on generating CO2-free electricity on-site. This was part of the funding program „Schaufenster Elektromobilität“ by the German Federal Government.

Two small wind generation plants and two solar panels were installed on the train station’s premises; their energy supplies a car- and bike-sharing station. At the core of the whole system is an intelligent microgrid, which controls distribution and storage of electricity.

For users, RLI explained the way the microgrid works via information screens on the circle line platform. The principle of renewable energy generation and storage was explained with an interactive demonstrator, which also featured a smartphone game.

The whole project aimed at optimizing a decentralized energy system based on renewable energy sources in order to supply the station and e-mobility option in its direct neighborhood. Simulation tools were developed that could be validated by using data from the station’s components. Finally, design and operation were assessed by technological, economic, and ecologic standards.

Project period: 01.03.2013 – 30.06.2016

• Scientific supervisionOptimization of microgrids concerning topology and operation
• Assessment of ecologic and economic aspects of the system
• Analysis of grid integration capacity
• Installation ofSmall wind generation plants
• Assesssment ofCharging station usage
• Output of renewable energy generation devices in an urban context
• Bureaucratic permission processes for installing renewable energy generation devices at existing train stations