move2ze­ro

“move2zero”: Innovative funding project for the decarbonisation of the Graz buses

As a lead project, move2zero is developing a comprehensive implementation and deployment concept for the complete decarbonization and attractiveness of an urban bus system, which can be transferred to many other urban transport systems in the future. Based on a multi-disciplinary research approach (including industrial research) and a comprehensive demonstration phase, move2zero will pave the way for a stepwise efficient and effective transformation of urban public transport systems towards an emission-free future!

 

Greenhouse gas balance and eco-design

A comprehensive greenhouse gas balance sheet was drawn up to analyze climate-damaging emissions in the project. The calculations of greenhouse gas emissions not only consider the operation of the buses, but also all indirect emissions that occur, for example, during the production of the buses (e.g., Li-ion battery or fuel cells) and for the provision of the required electrical energy. In addition, components with a low environmental impact and high sustainability criteria are preferably used. These sustainability criteria are taken into account in the project through the principle of eco-design. Eco-design refers to aspects of ecological product design that take into account the entire life cycle.

These aspects include:

• Consideration of company and product-based environmental and sustainability criteria for the manufacturer and supply chain,
• sustainable material procurement in the supply chain,
• Measures to drive circular economy,
• Use of recycled materials,
• end-of-life take-back systems, and
• Second Life concepts for batteries.

In addition to the procurement of the vehicles, the establishment of the charging or refueling infrastructure in connection with the conversion of the bus fleet is also considered.

Demonstration operation of zero-emission buses

In an initial demonstration operation, 7 battery-electric buses and 7 fuel cell buses will be used in regular service to gain experience with different technologies in real-world operation.

The charging infrastructure required to provide energy for the battery-electric buses will be set up and operated in a new bus center. For refueling the fuel cell buses, a refueling facility will be built in the new bus center. In the first step, the “green” hydrogen will come from an electrolysis plant, where hydrogen will be produced from renewable energies.

For the selection of an optimal technology mix for the complete decarbonization of the bus fleet, the demonstration operation is accompanied by research work of several scientific partners. Targeted monitoring, data evaluation and mathematical modeling will take place. Depending on the technology decision for the entire fleet, the appropriate charging infrastructure or a correspondingly larger H2 filling station including electrolysis for the production of hydrogen will be built and operated in Graz in the long term. In the course of the entire project and also in the future, an electricity and hydrogen supply from 100% renewable energy sources is to be ensured.

In order to achieve the most efficient hydrogen production possible, i.e. to avoid the loss of efficiency associated with conventional mechanical compression, research is being conducted into electrochemical compression technologies in the course of the project. Electrochemical compression has significant advantages in terms of efficiency, hydrogen quality and hydrogen purification.

Demonstration operation of an on-demand airport shuttle

In addition to the conversion of propulsion technologies, innovations in the area of demand orientation must be advanced in the public transport system in order to make public transport systems of the future more attractive. In move2zero, an innovative on-demand service is being developed and tested in addition to the existing public transport system with the involvement of users.
The test operation of a battery-electric, on-demand shuttle system between Graz Airport and selected stops for an attractive and convenient connection to public transport is being carried out. E-vehicles are used, which are charged with an innovative, automated charging system via charging plates integrated in the parking areas (matrix charging). An innovative booking platform is being developed for booking the shuttle.

Anonymized mobile phone data will be analyzed and evaluated to determine demand and develop the optimal operator concept for the on-demand system. Another research focus in the project is dedicated to a concept for a possible autonomous operation of this on-demand service in the future.

Project goals:

• Zero-emission technologies for energy supply
• Zero-emission technologies for vehicle and infrastructure operation
• Use of components with low emission factors and high rate of reuse and recycling
• Optimal adaptation to the demand and needs of public transport users through development & operation of on-demand services
• Extensive involvement of citizens in the development and demonstration of innovative systems
• Holistic concept for decarbonization of the entire bus transport system and transferability to other cities

 

VCÖ Mobility Award 2021 for “move2zero”

The project “move2zero” of Holding Graz was awarded the VCÖ Mobility Award 2021, Austria’s largest competition for climate-friendly mobility. Read more about it here.

Nomination for the State Prize Mobility 2019

As one of three projects, “move2zero” was nominated for the Staatspreis Mobilität 2019. Here is a video about it!

In the demonstration operation, 7 buses will be converted to fuel cell buses and used on Line 66.

Project info:

• Demonstration operation: anticipated to be from spring 2024
• Route: Line 66
• Vehicles: 12-metre fuel cell buses (models in request for proposals)
• Fuelling infrastructure: In a first step, there will be the delivery of hydrogen from a regional electrolysis plant, where hydrogen is produced from renewable energies. A H2 fuelling station will be set up to fuel the buses.