Conference Papers 2025

Seminar
Day 2 (18 Sep 2025), Session 5, Decarbonisation Technology, 11:00 - 12:30

Status
Accepted, awaiting documents

Submitted by / Abstract owner
Markus Werner

Authors
Markus Werner, Technical University Dresden (presenter)
Prof Dr Arnd Stephan, Technical University Dresden

Short abstract
Within this research project, a techno-physical simulation model for heavy road freight transport with overhead contact lines is developed, validated and used to determine traffic-dependent infrastructure needs and the associated costs.

Abstract
Electric Road Systems with overhead contact lines are a promising technology for the decarbonisation of heavy road freight transport, which is crucial to achieve climate targets. In this technology, also known as the eHighway system, heavy duty trucks are supplied with electrical power via a DC overhead contact line for dynamic charging and traction. In recent years, there were comprehensive field trials in Germany funded by the government to investigate the practicality of the eHighway on motorways under real-life conditions. As a result of the accompanying scientific research and testing, the system has already demonstrated a high level of technical maturity and its application potential in the road freight sector, especially in synergy with stationary charging. One important aspect for decision-making on a possible roll-out of this technology is the initial investment in a core network of the overhead contact line infrastructure. The associated costs depend in particular on the specific design and configuration of the overhead contact lines and substations.
The main objective of this research project is to quantify the relationship between traffic volume, the required infrastructure dimensioning and the associated infrastructure costs for the eHighway system. This is intended to provide a robust basis for analyses of system design, technical performance and techno-economic decision-making in roll-out scenarios. For this purpose, a simulation-based multi-level modelling approach was developed and applied, taking into account design criteria for the infrastructure.
The methodological approach begins with the development of a technical-physical simulation model for the eHighway system using the example of the field trial FeSH in Germany. The simulation model covers all subsystems of the eHighway and their interactions: Electrical infrastructure with conductors and substations, vehicles with their electric drives, operation and track. The simulation principle is based on an operation simulation with combined electrical network calculation. The input data and parameters are based on the actual technical system design and the trucks in FeSH. Moreover, a modular structure allows quick adjustments to be made to parameters, such as considered track, vehicle drives, traffic scenarios or electrical infrastructure design. The simulation model created provides information about key electrical parameters such as power demand, energy consumption, current distribution, power losses or voltage droppings along the corresponding track for any scenarios of operation. It also enables the design and dimensioning of all electrical infrastructure components and to study the behaviour of the eHighway system in large networks.
In the next step, the simulation model was validated against real measurement data from five years of operation in the field trial FeSH. Vehicle measurement data from over 10,000 trips on the test track and different vehicle generations were used for the validation. In addition to vehicle data, the analyses also considered environmental conditions and infrastructure-related data (e.g. substation measurements). The accuracy of the model was evaluated using statistical methods of descriptive and inferential statistics. The validation demonstrated a high level of agreement between the measurement data and the simulation results, which is essential for the reliability of the model predictions.
With the help of the validated simulation model, a traffic-dependent infrastructure catalogue was developed. This catalogue contains a wide range of infrastructure variants and their specific performance capabilities (in kW/km). The infrastructure variants differ in parameters such as substation spacing, system voltage and configuration of the overhead contact line. The performance capability of an infrastructure variant was evaluated through load-limit analyses, in which technical design criteria such as voltage stability, current carrying capacity of the conductors and substation components as well as protection criteria are taken into account. The infrastructure catalogue enables the determination of the traffic-dependent electrical infrastructure needs in various roll-out and traffic scenarios of the eHighway system. Furthermore, the results show that the overhead contact line infrastructure of the eHighway can, with appropriate dimensioning, also reliably supply high volumes of traffic (with power requirements of several MW/km) with electrical power.
As a final step, the infrastructure catalogue was linked with a cost calculation tool for infrastructure costs created for this purpose. This link makes it possible to forecast the traffic-dependent infrastructure costs in roll-out scenarios for the technology, taking technical feasibility into account.
At the conference, the developed simulation model with its evaluation options, the validation process based on real data from the field trial FeSH and key findings on traffic-dependent infrastructure needs and associated costs will be presented.

Programme committee
Freight and Logistics

Topic
Dealing with labour, resource, infrastructure and energy challenges in freight and passenger transport