An energy system developed for Formula One (F1) has been deployed at HS2’s Euston site.
As part of HS2 Ltd’s Innovation programme, a tower crane on the railway’s Euston approaches site, that would normally be powered by a 500kVA diesel generator to lift loads of up to 24t is instead being driven by one less than half that size.
The significantly smaller 200kVA generator’s power difference is bridged by pairing it with an energy storing flywheel system developed and supplied by Silverstone-based engineering specialist Punch Flybrid.
Incorporated inside the Punch Flybrid-supplied unit, the flywheel, measuring just 35cm in diameter, is housed in a vacuum chamber to all but eliminate energy-sapping resistance that would result from contact with the air.
The technology matches the power of larger generators by using the 200kVA generator’s surplus power during the crane’s low load periods to charge the spinning flywheel to very high speeds, equivalent to a ground speed of 550mph. The kinetic energy stored by the flywheel can then be quickly released to support the generator when the crane demands maximum power to lift heavy loads.
HS2 Innovation manager Rob Cairns said: “Delivering Britain’s zero carbon, high speed rail network for the 21st century is a national endeavour that is drawing on skills and technology both in and beyond the rail and construction sectors.
“Our trial work with Punh Flybrid is another great example of how investing in long term national infrastructure programmes creates opportunities to draw on technology from across the economy that could potentially unlock significant benefits for our industry.”
The Euston site is operated by a joint venture between Skanska Costain and Strabag (SCS JV).
SCS JV managing director James Richardson said: "SCS JV is committed to reducing our environmental footprint by identifying innovations like this flywheel technology, which has immediately halved our diesel consumption of one of our cranes operating at our Euston approaches site.”
Punch Flybrid managing director Tobias Knichel added: “We developed our flywheel technology to improve performance and efficiency at the very pinnacle of the automotive industry, but its fundamentals mean there are opportunities to deploy its benefits in other sectors.
“That’s why we’re very pleased to have an opportunity to utilise the technology for the construction industry under HS2’s Innovation programme.”
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Tagged with: Costain hs2 Skanska Strabag
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