New research by Poland has proposed to install 891 PV panels along the entire tram platform and Inter-track rooms of four large transport hubs. The analysis showed that the PV system could provide all tram stops of the city, the passenger information system, with power and 10% of the demand from Service Depots could meet.
A researcher from Krakow University of Economics of Poland has analyzed the cost-effectiveness of installing PV panels in tram tracks of the Huta district of Krakow.
“Although PV integration in urban environments is not new, it is specifically applying to tram rail areas with an analysis of technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and potential energy yield in a real urban environment is new,” said author Tomasz Witko PV -Magazine. “It deals with both the spatial limitations of dense cities and the growing need for decentralized solutions for renewable energy.”
The oldest part of the district, which was central to the analysis, includes 38 tram stops and more than 13.5 km of double track lines. It also organizes a tram depot that serves 185 trams every day.
The installations
The researcher first identified important locations for possible PV installations, strategically located in the vicinity of large hubs, whereby optimum sun exposure is guaranteed when using existing infrastructure. Place Centralny im Ronalda Reagana Hub that serves six tram lines; Rondo Czyżyńskie, who serves ten tram lines; Rondo Kocmyrzowskie that serves seven tram lines; And a curb that serves four tram lines. The analysis included installing panels along the entire tram platform and inter-track rooms, in four to five places at each hub.
The supposed solar modules for the analysis were the Longi LR5-66HIH 500W Monocrystalline PV panels, because of their efficiency and sustainability. While each panel costs € 390 ($ 456) when the mounting structure, electrical components, labor, permits and various costs absorb. In general, the research calculated that 265 panels can be installed instead of Centralny, 254 in Rondo Czyżyńskie, 183 in Rondo Kocmyrzowskie and 189 in Kombinat. With a total of 891 panels over the four hubs, the estimated costs would reach € 347,329.2.
“To assess the financial efficiency of the entire project, it is necessary to analyze the performance of PV panels and the potential amount of electricity that they can generate annually,” the academic explains. “The analysis is based on data from laser scanning with a resolution of 0.5 m. Based on this data, extra layers are made, which serve as input layers for the model, namely: slope and exposure. A value of 20% Albedo was assumed for the entire area. The calculations are supposed to be a lower efficiency than indicated by the module –
The results
Based on data from the Kraków Balice Climatological Station for a typical meteorological year, Placecrentry was calculated to have an annual electricity production of 120.61 MWH, Rondo Czyżyńskie of 116.61 MWh, Rondo Kocmyrzowskie from 93,58 this would be this. 75,000 saving in electricity costs. It is expected that it will be good for 3.5% of the 12.5 GWH electricity story for the tram system. That amount can stop all, the passenger information system, and meet 10% of Depots demand. The payback time was calculated at 4.15-14.2 years, depending on changes in energy prices and maintenance costs.
“One of the most unexpected results was that despite the relatively small available surface compared to conventional installations mounted on the roof or on the ground, the calculated energy yield per square meter was very competitive,” Witko concluded. “This is due to the unobstructed sunlight in tram stops and the optimized orientation of a certain track department. Moreover, the payback time in some scenarios was shorter than initially expected, especially when invoicing in environmental benefits and CO2 emissions.”
The research appeared in “Feasibility and cost -effectiveness of installing photovoltaic panels in tram tracks at large stops in Krakow’s Nowa Huta District“Published in Renewable energy.
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