by cidaut | Jan 19, 2015 | Sin categoría
Brussels (Belgium), 7 November 2014
The project ACOUTRAIN has come to its end, and its final event was held last November in Brussels, organised by UNIFE.
About 50 railway experts participated in the event, gathering a broad set of expertise in different knowledge fields like rolling stock manufacturers, testing laboratories, notified bodies for rolling stock homologation and representatives of the European Railway Agency.
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Nicolas Furio, Administrative Project coordinator, UNIFE
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Jean-Marie Bodson, Technical Director Standards & Regulations
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Philippe Citroën Director-General of UNIFE
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The main results of ACOUTRAIN were presented during the full day event, structured in 5 main sections:
- Session 1 – Basic tools for virtual certification.
Estelle Bongini from SCNF (technical project coordinator) started presenting an introduction to concepts of Virtual Testing developed in the project, establishing the initial framework to facilitate the understanding of the work carried out. In particular she gave a detailed description of the flowchart defined for the selection of the most appropriated virtual testing approach to use depending on the developed virtual vehicle. Afterwards Nathalie Cuny from Alstom and Giacomo Squicciarini from ISVR presented the software tool developed in the project, which name is the same as the project, and gave a quick in-site life demo on how to set up virtual vehicles with the new tool. Then they explained the work carried out for certification of the simulation tool, which can be applicable and extended to other simulation tools aiming to be used in the virtual testing framework.
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Estelle Bongini, Technical project coordinator
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Nathalie Cuny, WP4 leader, and Giacomo Squicciarini
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- Session 2 – Noise sources characterisation
David Thompson from ISVR gave indications on how to use the software tool TWINS, in particular with regards to wheel roughness, for which a dedicated study was developed to evaluate existing test methods. Ulf Orrenius from Bombardier reported about tests methods used to characterise individual noise sources of vehicles, like HVAC, motors, transformers… and eventually Benjamin Betgen from Vibratech described the research related to integration effects of noise sources and how existing calculation methods can represent it.
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David Thompson, WP2 leader
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Ulf Orrenius, WP3 leader
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Benjamin Betgen
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- Session 3 – Methods related to virtual certification
Transposition and separation procedures to separate rolling stock and track contributions to noise emission prediction were introduced by Michael Dittrich from TNO. Estelle Bongini clarified differences between the virtual testing approach and the simplified method in the Noise TSI. Application of virtual testing results for the evaluation of noise emission from railway infrastructures in the framework of the European Noise Directive was also studied.
- Session 4 – Example application: NAT Case study
The extensive measurement campaign carried out during the second year was presented by Maria Starnberg from Deutsche Bahn. Andre Bistagnino from Alstom described the modelling concept behind setting up virtual vehicles for virtual testing, for which the NAT train was taken as reference.
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Maria Starnberg, WP5 leader
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Andrea Bistagnino
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- Session 5 – Virtual testing within certification
Estelle Bongini and Maria Starnberg took the floor to describe one of the main project outcomes, the alternative procedures or approaches for virtual testing implementation, namely hybrid approach and extension of approval.
An interesting debate took place between presenters and the audience after each session, and input was given from the industry, notified bodies and ERA.
by cidaut | Jan 15, 2015 | Sin categoría
On December 5th, the final workshop of the Cenit TARGET project was held at AIRBUS premises in Getafe (Madrid). This research project, focused on smart and environmentally sustainable technologies for the production of structures made of composite materials, has been founded by the CDTI (Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial), organism depending of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
Airbus facilities in Getafe (Madrid)
The event highlighted the main achievements reached by the 12 partner companies: Airbus Operations, Acciona Infraestructuras, Aernnova, Applus, Aciturri, Airbus Defence & Space, Hexel, Idec, MTorres, Sairem Ibérica, Tecnatom y TR Composites, along with 24 research organizations (Universities and Technology Centres).
Among them, CIDAUT has worked jointly with Aciturri in research activities to promote the development of advanced liquid composite moulding processes, seeking to reduce cycle times, energy consumption, scrap material and manufacturing costs associated to the production of structural components in Aeronautics, while improving product quality and increasing process robustness and repetitiveness. Processes that, if automated, would allow the effective production of complex structural components and the optimization of structures assembly.
The TARGET project, which commenced in 2010 with a 30 million Euros budget, was divided in nine work packages with the objective of researching and developing new smart and environmentally sustainable technologies for the production of composite structures. In particular, the research activities are focused on materials and processes that avoid using large autoclaves, and on functions integration; laying ground for new equipment and automation concepts that should lead to major cost savings.
TARGET main outcomes that deserve mention are: the development of advanced compaction and curing technologies of thermoset and thermoplastic materials out of autoclave; nanomaterials processing for their optimized integration in aeronautic laminates; the research in advanced resin infusion technologies and 3D carbon fabrics optimization; the development of new non-destructive inspecting techniques prior to curing; and the definition of integrated production systems, both in situ and in line, for the efficient manufacturing of composite components and structures.
by cidaut | Jan 15, 2015 | Sin categoría
The Green eMotion project is coming to its end next February. After four years of developing interoperable solutions for EV, analyzing standardization and infrastructure needs, and establishing the electric grids requirements, the project has reached its objective to support the roll out of EV in Europe.
Among other results, the project has successfully:
- Developed a marketplace and a clearing house that will allow Electric Vehicles (EV) drivers across Europe to connect their vehicles in different charging points.
- Carried out several standardization activities on communication and identification to propose new standards.
- Defined the infrastructure requirements, as well as the basis for the future requirements on the electric grids.
CIDAUT’s main role in the project has focused on coordinating the standardization activities, as well as to analyze the environmental impact of EV, to propose measures and policies to optimize the environmental benefits of EV.
On February 25-26 February 2015 the EU Stakeholder Forum will return for the 3rd edition that will once again bring together the three flagship electromobility projects of the European Commission: FREVUE, Green eMotion and ZeEUS. The venue of the meeting will be THON HOTEL BRUSSELS CITY CENTRE
Registrations are now open for the 3rd E-mobility Stakeholder Forum, registration is free and can be done here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/european-electromobility-stakeholder-forum-registration-12599167449, you are invited to join us to discuss on the project results. The EU’s three flagship electromobility projects will present their findings and plans on electromobility in Europe, covering topics such as smart technology, standardisation, electric urban freight and the benefits of electric vehicles to society and the environment. With Green eMotion drawing to a close, attendees will also have an opportunity to hear their final results and project conclusions.
The forum will be a mixture of parallel workshop sessions and high level round tables with participation from EU, national and regional political stakeholders as well and industry and research institutes. There will be three parallel workshop sessions throughout the event, so, every attendee is asked to register in advance which session to attend. The following topics will be covered:
Parallel workshops
Session 1 – Wednesday 25 February, 16.00-17.30
Business Models: Making the case – The integration of EVs into the business environment. Making the business case fit the reality of today. Examples of best practice
Selling the (new) reality – What is the role of both public and private sectors with regards to promoting e-mobility? Market segmentation – how EVs can ‘tick’ all boxes for all sectors?
Making the connection – From grid management to the vehicle on the street, how do we cater for widespread EV uptake? What are the strategies for making this work?
Session 2 – Thursday 26 February, 11.00-12.30
Integrating Urban Modality – Real world implementation of e-mobility in the urban environment
Fact from fiction – How EVs will solve the pressing environmental challenge – from the courts to the streets
More than just charging a battery – How smart technology is complimenting EV opportunities
Session 3 – Thursday 26 February, 13.30-15.00
The path to 2030 – By 2030, our cities should be well on the way to being fossil-fuel free. What is the view of the OEM’s to achieving this?
How to reach the goal? – Public policy has us on a trajectory to zero emission by 2050 – is that fast enough? What more should we be doing?
More than a connector – While the EU Directives have confirmed the connectors, there are more standards required to make the new system work
Finally, for more information on the event, as well as to download the information related to Green eMotion achievements and the deliverables, visit: www.greenemotion-project.eu
by cidaut | Jan 15, 2015 | Sin categoría
The first review meeting of Free-Moby project was held last December in Brussels. Free-Moby is a three years FP7 founded project focused on the implementation of easy to deploy micro fully electrical vehicles and city EVs.
Figure 1: Schedule of the Vehicle to Home (V2H) connection and communication to optimize the performance of the harvested energy.
All the partners involved in the activities developed during the first twelve months of the project were present in the meeting. Cidaut presented the results of the “Preliminary market study for premium vehicles”, where the new trends in the demands of the consumer for the electric vehicles have been analyzed. The evolution of the characteristics of premium vehicles has been studied, how the comfort and the reliability have given the leading role to the passive and active safety and how nowadays the entertainment and the information are growing in importance for the new customers. Most of the premium characteristics are related to the connection of the vehicle so a deep analysis of the way this connection works has been made.
Cidaut also presented the results on the evolution of the smart charging technology. Free-Moby promotes the integration of renewable energies in electromobility through the installation of photovoltaic panels at home and on the vehicle. One of the targets of the project is to optimize the performance of the harvested energy. The solution found in Free-Moby project consists on the combination of DC-DC charging and a partial swapping. The innovation introduced in the case of the DC-DC conductive charging is to use a compact high performance charger outside the vehicle. This solution is possible thanks to the development of a high efficient rack compatible for vehicle and home use. This rack is composed by four battery modules that can be easily removed for partial swapping allowing a high degree of interaction between home and vehicle. The batteries charged at home with solar energy can be used for electromobility applications and the vehicle can be plug to the home in emergency cases. In order to achieve this integration, the empowerment of the communication has been highlighted as crucial. During first year important research has been made on communication inside the vehicle and also on vehicle to everything.
by cidaut | Jan 15, 2015 | Sin categoría
The project HYACINTH of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking was launched last September. The project is coordinated by CENTRO NACIONAL DE EXPERIMENTACIONDE TECNOLOGIAS DE HIDROGENO Y PILAS DE COMBUSTIBLE. Other partners are I PLUS F FRANCE SARL, CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS, MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS-CIEMAT, RAZVOJNI CENTER ZA VODIKOVE TEHNOLOGIJE, ODC Services GMBH, ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL. CIDAUT will also be involved as WP leader in order to determine the context influence over the stakeholders and to design the methodology to carry out the Social acceptance study.
The social acceptance by the general public, the stakeholders and the potential customers of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen (FCH) projects and applications across Europe is widely recognized as a key dimension in the sustainable implementation of FCH technologies. The document Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies in Europe: Financial and technology outlook on the European sector ambition 2014- 2020 by The New Energy World Industry Grouping (NEW-IG) considers the development of a good understanding of the conditions of societal acceptance as an essential element to support the establishment of these conditions in Europe. If hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are to play a significant role in Europe’s new energy and transport systems, a careful consideration of social acceptance issues is needed.
There is increasing realisation amongst policy makers and industry that public acceptance is a key consideration for any attempts to deploy and extend hydrogen technologies and infrastructures in Europe (EC, 2006). The development of hydrogen technologies in Europe will involve small-scale applications as well as large-scale infrastructures that may be influenced by the acceptance of the general public, stakeholders groups, the local community and the potential customers and users. Previous research on social acceptance has investigated the general levels of public understanding of FCH technologies in specific countries, but there is limited systematic evidence on the social acceptance of FCH technologies throughout Europe. The overall purpose of HYACINTH is to gain a deeper understanding of the social acceptance of hydrogen technologies across Europe as well as to develop a communication and management toolbox to be used in ongoing and future activities aiming at introducing hydrogen into mobility, stationary and energy or backup power supply systems.
Social acceptance of FCH technologies will be investigated via survey research with representative panels across Europe (up to 10.000 European citizens) and semi-structured interviews with 650 selected stakeholders in 10 countries. The design of the data gathering instruments will build upon the methodological and conceptual developments in the research of social acceptance of new technologies. The toolbox will provide the necessary background information and understanding of the current state of awareness and acceptance of FCH technologies by the general public and by stakeholder groups (industry, municipalities, researchers, fleet operators …). It will further provide the necessary tools to understand and manage expectations of future FCH projects and products in the transition phase, to identify regional challenges to the projects and to determine effective policy support measures.
Together the results from the research on the social acceptance of FCH technologies across Europe and the toolbox will support future projects to considerate the acceptance processes influenced by their activities; i.e. identifying regions of supportive acceptance, bottlenecks and challenges to be tackled, communication strategies and other means to actively manage the acceptance process FCH technologies.
