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A group of Georgia Tech students are converting a school bus into a hydraulic hybrid, a technology that works best with large vehicles used in stop-and-go driving conditions, like delivery trucks and, of course, buses.
The hydraulic hybrid bus uses a diesel engine to power a pump that charges an accumulator. When the bus is accelerating, the accumulator then powers the hydraulic motors with built-up pressure, but when it's braking, the pump motors reverse and recapture that energy. UPS introduced delivery trucks with this technology just a few years ago, but what makes this school bus stand out is that it will also run on recycled biodiesel from used cooking oil.
The converted bus, destined for Atlanta's Mary Lin Elementary School, will result in a 20 percent fuel savings over a traditional bus. The team estimates the cost of one conversion at $20,000, but if an entire fleet were converted, the cost would go down to more like $8,000 - $10,000 per bus. With the steady rise of diesel prices, the return on investment could be as little as five years.
This particular project was funded through a $50,000 grant from Ford to prove the cost and energy saving benefits of this technology to public schools.
via Wired Autopia
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written by John Spade, May 19, 2011
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written by Paul Stangl, May 20, 2011
Also in Graz nearly all Buses use recycled biodiesel from used cooking oil (they would use it on all buses but there isn't enough cooking oil based diesel on the market).
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written by Eugene, May 21, 2011
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written by Martin, May 23, 2011
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written by Monk, May 23, 2011
Most American children are obese and/or unfit, so this technology would in one fell swoop improve health and fitness and save energy.
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written by Poly Endrasik, May 26, 2011
Do they really need to be that big / tall?
Do the seats have to be as big and heavy as they have been since the beginning of the Triassic period?
What about utilizing the engine to generate hydraulic pressure while it idles waiting for students to get on board too?
Hmmm, you would think with that huge flat roof there might be some space for solar panels to power electronics and/or another source for hydraulic pumping.
Rather than carrying separate hydraulic fluid, could you use the bio-diesel as the pressurized fluid? Maybe for the brakes and engine lubrication too?
How big of an engine (HP) do you really now need to have since you are using hydraulic pressure acceleration (most vehicle need the HP to accelerate not for steady state driving)?
Would a small steady state turbine be more efficient?
Then there is how to reclaim / utilize heat lost through cooling / exhaust systems.
There are a few starters to think about for the next bus. A total "clean sheet" strategic synergistic approach!
But like I stated earlier, this was a great first step!
Good luck and have a blessed day. =];-)
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written by Nick Gencarelle, May 26, 2011
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Ok, so for how long have we know that buses, delivery trucks, and mail trucks are all stop and go driving and therefore an easy option to be hybrid based to recapture all the stop energy.
Why are they not the common form that is for sale and the pure diesel option you have to custom order.
Starts me thinking that maybe there should be a $1-$2 dollar diesel/gas tax and that money should be used to convert exist/buy new school bus and mail trucks. Do you really have to bang people in the head to get them to change old habits.