EDP develops first electric bus powered by 100% solar energy
The new bus consolidates the Company's investment of more than R$ 10 million in electric mobility for public transportation
EDP, an energy company that operates throughout the value chain of the electric sector, developed the first Brazilian electric bus powered entirely by solar energy. Conceived at UTE Pecém, in Ceará, the model relies on the use of a battery bank that guarantees the autonomy of 300 km when transporting the vehicle. With an investment of R$ 4.85 million, the pilot project was developed in partnership with the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp).
The vehicle, designed by automaker BYD in partnership with the plant's Research & Development area, will be used to transport employees between Fortaleza and São Gonçalo do Amarante, where EDP's thermal plant is located. During the 70 km journey, the vehicle will consume the energy stored in a battery bank.
The batteries are recharged in the company's parking lot using a carport mounted with solar panels. For this, 183 solar panels were installed at the plant, guaranteeing independence in relation to the energy generated by the UTE generation and the distribution system.
The plates charge the batteries of the bus in the intervals between trips. The exchange of fossil fuel for a 100% clean source is yet another effort of Pecém TPP to become increasingly sustainable.
The vehicle, with BYD chassis and Marcopolo body, is being operated daily by the company Gertaxi, which transports employees to the plant. Before starting the tests, EDP and partners promoted training in order to train drivers in the vehicle system and peculiar characteristics, such as the distribution of the electric energy charge.
“EDP aims to lead the energy transition in the country, and electric mobility has been an area that has received special attention from the Company. The solar electric bus is an innovation that shows the potential of this sustainable solution for mass urban and road transportation ”, says Cayo Moraes, executive operation manager at EDP Brasil.
Power generation along the way
The second phase of the project foresees the application, on the vehicle's roof, of organic photovoltaic films (Organic Photovoltaic - OPV), composed of cells capable of generating electrical energy from sunlight. Due to its flexibility, this technology allows installation in different locations and surfaces, such as windows, furniture, doors and walls.
The cells on the roof of the bus will be tested in the climatic conditions existing in the Northeast with the purpose of supplying part of the consumption of services inside the bus, such as charging cell phones and other technological peripherals.
Mass urban mobility
EDP's project for a 100% electric bus powered by solar energy reinforces the company's investment in the public transport segment. Another pilot project of the company, in partnership with VIX Logística, of the Águia Branca Group, is developing a recharging system for fleets of electric buses in Espírito Santo. The objective is to contribute to the improvement of public transport in Brazil by reducing the emission of polluting gases. Currently, Brazil has a fleet with around 500 thousand buses in circulation. Within the electric mobility market, the electric bus segment has the greatest potential for social environmental benefits, financial returns and opportunities in the energy sector.
The initiative in Espírito Santo, with a duration of about two years and a total investment of R$ 6.6 million, was contemplated in the Public Call of the National Agency of Electrical Energy (ANEEL) for the topic Efficient Electric Mobility, via Research and Development fund. Development. The pilot project will consist of an electric bus and four charging stations, operating in an integrated manner through a management platform, which will enable the performance of tests of functionality and the business model.
Mechanics of the solar electric bus
Number of engines: 2
Power: 110KW/148CV
Torque of 2x56KGFM - 10,000 revolutions per minute
Body dimensions
Length: 12900 mm
External width: 2600 mm
Inner width: 2480 mm
External Height with Air Conditioning: 3750 mm
Internal height: 1930 mm
Passenger capacity: 44
Body type: Viaggio 1050 Clp
About EDP in Brazil
With over 20 years of experience, EDP is one of the largest private companies in the electricity sector operating throughout the value chain. The Company, which has over 10,000 direct and outsourced employees, operates in Transmission, Trading and Energy Services and has six hydroelectric generation units and one thermal power station. In Distribution, it serves about 3.5 million customers in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, in addition to being the main shareholder of Celesc, in Santa Catarina. In Brazil, it is a reference in areas such as Innovation, Governance and Sustainability, having been in the B3´s Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) for 14 consecutive years.
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