Researchers have been working on a number of initiatives to save the consumption of traditional fossil fuels. Utilizing alternative sources of energy, like bio-fuels, solar energy, battery powered vehicles etc. are few of those. Hybrid technology, i.e. using fossil fuels and other alternate sources in the same vehicle, is also one of them. Concept of regenerative braking is used in most of the hybrid cars. Researchers from Finland’s Aalto University experimented on the same principles and have got some very encouraging results. Researchers transformed some heavy duty, non-road internal combustion machines into hybrids by adding electric power transmission systems, with motors, to them. The initial test results have shown that traditional fuel consumption is reduced by as much as 50% by using the hybrid concept.
Researchers have wondered how much energy can be harnessed in this way from heavy duty construction, mining and agricultural vehicles when they are on their job. Major energy generation from these heavy duty machines came from their usual work activity, like deceleration, lowering of roads, drilling, etc.
Energy generated from these activities is stored in the battery connected with the vehicle itself and is used later for running the vehicle. Thus, in essence, the machine runs on energy that they themselves have generated. Tests have proved that by partially running these vehicles on battery, fuel consumption is reduced to as much as 50%. This also promises lesser GHG emissions, better control and flexibility. Also, the unused stored energy can then be transferred to the grid and put to alternate use.
Via: Gizmag
