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Last Rails Laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Electrification Coming

November 3, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Photo courtesy of AlpTransit Gotthard Last Rails Laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Electrification Coming

Photo courtesy of AlpTransit Gotthard
Last Rails Laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Electrification Coming

Wednesday, October 31, 2014, the last rails were laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

At a distance of around 54 m from the south portal, the contractor cast the “golden sleeper”. A big moment for everyone involved and an important milestone for the project. The pure laying time was 39 months. 290 km of track have been laid. The entire 57 km of the world’s longest railway tunnel can now be continuously travelled by diesel locomotives.

At exactly 12.00 noon today, the concreting train that was specially developed for the Gotthard Base Tunnel was used for the last time. At a formal ceremony in the tunnel, the “golden sleeper” of the ballastless track was cast. In total, the general contractor, Transtec Gotthard, has used around 131,000 m3 of concrete, transported 380,000 monolithic sleepers into the tunnel, and laid 290 km of rails. Around 125 workers were in action in shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The ballastless track in the Gotthard Base Tunnel is an important factor for installation of the railway infrastructure systems. It makes rail-based transport possible for all subsequent work operations. With the end of track-laying, the first major area of the railway infrastructure systems is complete.

Photo courtesy of AlpTransit Gotthard Last Rails Laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Electrification Coming

Photo courtesy of AlpTransit Gotthard
Last Rails Laid in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Electrification Coming

Renzo Simoni, CEO of AlpTransit Gotthard Ltd, expressed his great satisfaction: “An important milestone in the Gotthard Base Tunnel has been accomplished on time. The work is on schedule. The timetable for opening in June 2016 is valid.” Marco Hirzel, CEO of Transtec Gotthard, also showed pleasure at the achievement: “Installing the railway infrastructure systems in the world’s longest railway tunnel is a very challenging task. Only thanks to the collaboration of all of the approximately 720 people who are working on this project, can we achieve our goal of punctual handover of the tunnel.”

All other work on the Gotthard axis is also on schedule. The surface installation sites along the Gotthard Base Tunnel have already been removed and recultivated. In autumn 2015, test operation in the entire Gotthard Base Tunnel will begin. On June 2, 2016, and at the following weekend, the opening celebrations for the Gotthard Base Tunnel will be held. Integration into the SFR network with scheduled train services will take place in December 2016.

In the Ceneri Base Tunnel, excavation work is progressing rapidly: 85% of the entire tunnel system has already been cut. Now that the Federal Supreme Court has confirmed the original awards, planning and implementation of the railway infrastructure systems can also proceed. The date of December 2019 for opening the Ceneri Base Tunnel to commercial operations that was already planned therefore remains the goal of AlpTransit Gotthard Ltd.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: AlpTransit Gotthard.

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Kandi’s JV Entered Strategic Partnership With Ant Financial Services Group

November 3, 2014 in Car sharing, China, Electric Vehicles, EV News

To Launch Electric Payment Service for Its Car-Share Program

Kandi's JV Entered Strategic Partnership With Ant Financial Services Group Photo courtesy of Kandi

Kandi’s JV Entered Strategic Partnership With Ant Financial Services Group
Photo courtesy of Kandi

JINHUA, China – Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Kandi”) (Nasdaq:KNDI), today announced that Kandi Electric Vehicles Group Co., Ltd. (the “JV Company”, a 50/50 joint venture between Kandi and Shanghai Maple Guorun Automobile Co., Ltd., a 99% owned subsidiary of Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.) signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Ant Financial Services Group (“Ant Financial”) to launch Alipay and Alipay Wallet services to the Car-Share Program, Kandi’s innovative Pure EV Sharing Program. Mr. Hu Xiaoming, Chairman of the JV Company, Mr. Liu Jinliang, President of the JV Company, Mr. Eric Jing Xiandong, COO of Ant Financial, Mr. Deng Yiming, Director of Credit Business at Ant Financial, and other executives from both parties attended the signing ceremony on October 29, 2014 in Hangzhou.

The scope of the agreement includes, but not limited to utilizing mobile application Alipay Wallet, China’s leading electronic and mobile payment service for Kandi’s Car-Share Program, and co-developing other innovative services, such as customer credit system, online booking, and membership management. Alipay Wallet offers the convenience of renting Kandi’s EV through a smart phone. Additionally, it allows zero deposit and guarantee for qualified renters with good credit records based on Alipay’s proprietary transaction data. Kandi expects to launch the first mobile application for the Car-Share Program based on Alipay Wallet platform by the end of November.

Mr. Hu Xiaoming, Chairman of the JV Company commented, “We are very excited to announce the strategic partnership with China’s leading online financial service provider, Ant Financial Service, and to further grow our Car-Sharing Program in China. The Alipay Wallet technology not only enhances user experience which enables our customers to make reservation and payment through PCs, smart phones and other mobile devices, it also broadens our customer base to the ever growing Alipay users with better credit and payment term. We are extremely confident about our EV business model and we will continue to focus on the execution of our strategic growth plan in China’s EV industry.”

About Ant Financial Services Group

Formally established in October 2014, Ant Financial Services Group is focused on serving small and micro enterprises as well as consumers. With the vision of “to turn trust into wealth,” it is dedicated to building an open ecosystem of Internet thinking and technologies while working with other financial institutions to support the future financial needs of society. Businesses operated by Ant Financial Services Group include Alipay, Alipay Wallet, Yu’e Bao, Zhao Cai Bao, Ant Credit and MYbank (under formation). For more information, please visit http://www.alibabagroup.com/en/news/article?news=p141016

About Kandi Technologies Group

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:KNDI), headquartered in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, is engaged in the research and development, manufacturing and sales of various vehicle products. Kandi has established itself as the one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pure electric vehicle (“EV”) products, Go-Kart vehicles, three-wheel motorcycles and utility vehicles (UTVs), among others. More information can be viewed at its corporate website is http://www.kandivehicle.com. Kandi routinely posts important information on its website.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: Kandi Technologies.

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ABB commissions HVDC station improving grid stability in Michigan

November 3, 2014 in Environment, EV News, Greentech, HVDC

Back-to-back HVDC Light system to facilitate power flow control and integration of renewables

ABB commissions HVDC station improving grid stability in Michigan Image courtesy of ABB

ABB commissions HVDC station improving grid stability in Michigan
Image courtesy of ABB

Zurich, Switzerland  – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has successfully commissioned a power solution that will control the flow of power and enhance grid stability in the State of Michigan, US.

ABB’s low-loss and eco-efficient HVDC Light (high-voltage direct current) technology controls the power flow between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Furthermore it provides dynamic voltage support, thereby increasing regional grid reliability and also enabling integration of additional wind generation. The HVDC Light station has been commissioned on schedule and handed over to the customer, American Transmission Co. (ATC).

“The Mackinac station is the world’s first HVDC back-to-back system for transmission using voltage source converter technology. This is a milestone demonstrating how ABB can help customers achieve efficient grid control and stabilization,” said Hans-Peter Faessler, Head of the Grid Systems business within ABB’s Power Systems division.

ABB designed, supplied and installed the 200 megawatt (MW) back-to-back HVDC Light station in Upper Michigan. An HVDC back-to-back system comprises two HVDC converters connected directly to each other, without any DC transmission line, making it possible to fully control the power transfer through the connection.

The voltage and reactive power control features of the system enable the integration of additional wind energy and stabilization of the network. Its ‘black-start’ capability allows for fast network restoration using power from the other end of the system in the case of a power outage.

ABB pioneered HVDC transmission technology 60 years ago (read more here) and has built a vast global installed base, having completed almost 100 HVDC projects around the world, with a total transmission capacity of over 95,000 MW. That accounts for about half of the global installed base. ABB remains at the forefront of HVDC innovation and is uniquely positioned in the industry with in-house manufacturing capabilities for all key components of HVDC systems, including power semiconductors, converters and high voltage cables.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: ABB.

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M-1 RAIL Announces Vendor for Streetcar Build

November 3, 2014 in Battery Energy Storage, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Politics, Streetcar

M-1 RAIL Announces Vendor for Streetcar Build Image courtesy of M-1 Rail

M-1 RAIL Announces Vendor for Streetcar Build
Image courtesy of M-1 Rail

M-1 RAIL announced it has selected a vendor and will begin negotiations for the design and build of the individual streetcars, which will run along the Woodward Avenue route beginning in 2016. 

The value of the contract is expected to be approximately $30 million for six separate custom coaches that will feature both regulatory compliance and customer comfort.

“M-1 RAIL will negotiate the final terms and conditions with Inekon Group to build our streetcars,” said Paul Childs, chief operating officer of M-1 RAIL. “Inekon has a strong track record with other streetcar projects in Portland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., and owns a 40-percent share of U.S.-installed projects. While Inekon is headquartered in the Czech Republic, our requirements specify that it will be compliant with the U.S. Government’s “Buy America” initiative.”

Childs said that the Buy America provisions ensure that U.S.-based transportation infrastructure projects are built with American-made products. “We want to assure that materials, parts, labor, manufacturing processes, and final assembly will meet the Buy America requirements.” Childs said that the M-1 team will announce a final assembly location in the future, but added that several locations in Southeast Michigan are under consideration. “It’s too early to talk about any sourcing or potential manufacturing locations, but we are committed to the principles of Buy America’s support of U.S.-based suppliers and the families who work for them.”

M-1 RAIL’s streetcars also will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing for station-level access for pedestrians, and persons who use mobility assist devices such as wheelchairs. Vertical bicycle racks will be included in the design to accommodate Detroit’s burgeoning bicycle community, as well as wireless access for busy passengers, and HVAC systems to facilitate the swings in Michigan’s weather.

Each streetcar will be 73 feet long, 8.5 feet wide and 13 feet high, with a vehicle weight of approximately 76,000 pounds. The cars will be operator-driven, with a double-ended, double-sided configuration. They will be powered by lithium-ion battery packs, enabling the entire line to run “60 percent off-wire,” said Childs. “Other streetcar projects utilize overhead wiring for everything from vehicle propulsion to the infrastructure of their maintenance and repair sites. M-1 RAIL will minimize its impact on the aesthetics of Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue, and we also will not have the labyrinth of wires overhead at the Penske Technical Center,” he said. The ‘off-wire’ technology also enhances safety and enables faster maintenance and repair due to safe, but simpler, procedures for technicians.

Other design-build aspects include: regenerative braking that adds to the efficiency of the line; ability to travel in the same lane at the same speed as bus and vehicle traffic; 100% low-floor, eliminating multi-level trip hazards on-board; and doors in three locations on each car to efficiently manage access and egress.

Childs said the negotiations with Inekon, coming on the heels of the recently-announced contract for the Penske Technical Center, will complete the design, engineering and construction requirements for the M-1 RAIL project. “Among our next significant activities will be to develop requirements and solicit proposals for the system operator, which will eventually run the entire line.”

Childs said the final design of the streetcars, as well as future contracts with U.S-based or Michigan suppliers will be announced later as the project proceeds.  M-1 RAIL expects to be operational in 2016.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: M-1 Rail.

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California Poised to Lead Country with Accelerated EV Adoption

November 3, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV charging, EV News, Politics

EV News Report photo California Poised to Lead Country with Accelerated EV Adoption; CPUC to Decide Public Utilities Role This Month

EV News Report photo
California Poised to Lead Country with Accelerated EV Adoption; CPUC to Decide Public Utilities Role This Month

CPUC to Decide Public Utilities Role This Month

ChargePoint supports Southern California Edison’s approach to accelerate EV adoption while preserving consumer choice and innovation

Campbell, Calif. – California is poised to lead the country by establishing a transformative electric vehicle framework that will speed up EV adoption faster than ever before by integrating public utilities into the state’s growing EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure.

This November, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will rule on the role of utilities in deploying charging infrastructure, a key issue in their mid-term review of the EV market. The CPUC will make a decision on public utilities role in the state’s EV infrastructure. To help inform their decision, both San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) have submitted filings to cover nearly $500 million in EV charging infrastructure.

“We, at ChargePoint, believe that California is at a pivotal moment for EV adoption and it is time to adopt a more robust and accessible infrastructure policy that benefits drivers, the market and the environment,” said Pasquale Romano, CEO at ChargePoint, the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 19,000 charging locations. “We are working with investor owned utilities to create a collaborative solution aimed at driving EV adoption and believe the best recommendations are contained in Southern California Edison’s recent filing. Their recommendations take into consideration the need for driver adoption, sustained innovation, site owner choice, and installation practices using their own resources and expertise.”

ChargePoint believes that it is time that utilities play a significant role in EV charging infrastructure. With their scale and expertise, utilities can rapidly expand the deployment of charging stations and accelerate EV adoption. The right approach as seen in SCE’s filing will:

  1. Cut the cost of enabling a site with EV charging by reducing installation costs;
  2. Communicate the benefits of driving electric to rate payers to accelerate EV adoption;
  3. Lower energy costs for all ratepayers by managing EV load in a way that limits the additional capital resources that need to be deployed; and
  4. Provide for site owner choice of the ultimate charging solution, sustained innovation and spur competition and private investment.

“We believe SCE’s approach will ensure the industry’s long term success as it brings utilities into the market while not restricting site owners to one brand, technology or pricing model. We feel that business owners need to select solutions that best fit their needs. This allowance for choice will increase competition and spur private investment in new technologies and business models,” said Romano.

SCE is proposing to install up to 30,000 EV charging stations in their territory over the next five years. In the proposal, SCE will provide a rebate to customers looking to install EV charging so they can choose the charging hardware and technology they prefer from a variety of vendors in the market. Additionally, SCE will cover the cost of installing the station.

“There are still details to iron out and we look forward to continuing our conversations with SCE and other utilities to drive toward a solution that advances the industry and works for all stakeholders. We believe strongly that the Commission should allow utilities to play a significant role in deploying EV infrastructure and are committed to continue working with utilities to craft policy that will aid in the rapid proliferation of EVs in the U.S.”

About ChargePoint

ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 19,000 charging locations. ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint’s open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join.

ChargePoint’s real-time network information including the availability of charging locations throughout the nation is available through the ChargePoint mobile app, online and via the navigation systems in top-selling EVs including the new BMW i3 and the Nissan LEAF.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: ChargePoint.

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