Bucher Schorling
Proton Power Systems, a leading designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems, recently announced that the world’s first fuel-cell driven street cleaning vehicle, equipped with a fuel cell system from the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH (“Proton Motor”), has been delivered to the city of Basle, Switzerland. This innovative municipal vehicle has been developed as part of a Swiss consortium, hy.muve .
The vehicle was delivered for testing to its first operator, the Civil Engineering Office in Basle, which is responsible for street cleaning across the city. In the next phase, the vehicle will undergo extensive field testing, both in Basle and in a range of other Swiss cities.
The compact sweeper vehicle has been supported by funds from Switzerland and is the result of a cooperation agreement between Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH and consortium companies including: Bucher Schörling; the Swiss materials testing and research institution Empa; Messer Schweiz AG; and Brusa Elektronik AG; along with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Bucher Schörling, a globally renowned manufacturer of municipal street cleaning vehicles, was responsible for the vehicle and system integration, while the project was headed by Empa, which also provided designs for the electrical propulsion system.
Under the project, Proton Motor’s system has been integrated into a compact street sweeper measuring 3.78 metres in length and 1.28 metres in width, with a maximum permitted laden weight of 4.5 tonnes. The fuel cell’s nominal output is 20 kW (27 HP), providing a maximum speed of 40 km/hour, with an operational range of more than seven hours on a full tank (6.5 kg of gaseous hydrogen at 350 bar). It takes less than 10 minutes to fill the tank, which consists of pressure vessels stowed behind the driver’s cab.
The propulsion concept entails replacing the conventional diesel engine with a fuel cell / battery system, and the hydraulic power train with electric drives. The hybrid fuel cell propulsion system combines a fuel cell with a lithium polymer battery. At the application’s core is Proton Motor’s 20 kW PM Basic A 20 fuel cell system. This emission-free and highly efficient hybrid technology enables energy savings of around 50 per cent compared to the conventional diesel propulsion system.
Commenting on Proton Motor’s significant project involvement, Thomas Melczer, CEO of Proton Power Systems plc, says: “Our involvement in the hy.muve project is a testament to the strong relationships we have grown with our project partners, in particular with Bucher Schörling whom we have known since 2006. We are especially delighted to be playing a leading role in this project so shortly after the recent launch of the CityBus with Skoda Electric, which is running on our triple hybrid system.
The hy.muve project is an excellent platform for Proton Power to showcase our technology leadership in fuel cell and hybrid systems. Our participation also demonstrates the Group’s leading role in the implementation of customised solutions for all manner of applications, including both vehicle power and stationary back-up solutions.
As a typical back-to-base application, municipal vehicles can be refuelled effectively with just a single local hydrogen filling station. . Calculations show that fuel-cell- powered municipal vehicles require only half as much energy as current diesel-powered ones. Their operation is also completely emission-free. Unlike conventionally powered vehicles the fuel cell vehicle emits absolutely no harmful substances, making it ideal for use in sensitive areas such as pedestrian zones or in enclosed spaces such as in train stations, airports or trade fair halls.
The hy.muve joint project aims to take fuel cell technology from the laboratory to the street. During the field trials in Switzerland, the vehicle’s operating performance, range and robustness will be tested under everyday conditions. The project is intended to make the new technology a reality and to encourage the planning and implementation of further hydrogen-fuelled applications.
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