Shaving off 60% of initial CAPEX investment and up to 70% in Power Demand

Over the last five years, the demand for electric vehicle fleets, specifically electric buses, has surged in North America. Consequently, many public service entities have been exploring transitioning to electric vehicles. Given its proficiency in engineering services for transportation authorities, Systra quickly became well-equipped to operate in this field. Systra is a top-rated global engineering and consulting firm specializing in public transport and innovative mobility solutions. For over 6 decades, Systra has partnered with countless cities and regions to facilitate their growth by designing, enhancing, and upgrading their transport infrastructures and systems. 

The challenges of electromobility

When the first client approached them with the project to convert a 300 buses fleet, Systra immediately understood that they needed to consider some essential questions, such as:

Is it possible to provide the same level of service to bus passengers?

The technology and range of electric vehicles are advancing, but they still fall short compared to diesel vehicles. When considering a vehicle’s autonomy, evaluating its compatibility with the route’s energy requirements is crucial. In addition, external factors, such as weather conditions, terrain, and traffic congestion, must also be considered. Electric buses have an average autonomy of only one-third of their fossil fuel-powered counterparts, so a complete overhaul of the operations, planning, schedules and drivers’ shifts was imperative. Designing an optimal charging strategy was equally critical.

What exactly is involved in the electrification of the fleet?

Electric vehicles are generally more expensive than diesel vehicles at purchase. The upfront cost of transitioning to an electric fleet can be significant. However, the lower operating costs of the electric fleet (e.g., lower fuel and maintenance costs) can offset the upfront costs over time.

What would be the ideal electrical infrastructure size to optimize power consumption within the utility’s limitations? 

The advent of electric vehicles demands huge power capacity and charging infrastructure involving carefully planned construction. This can entail building charging stations at depots, installing them alongside roads and upgrading electrical systems to support specific vehicles with higher power requirements. Right-sizing this infrastructure and optimizing power usage while respecting the utility constraints can have a significant financial impact.

Collaborating with Axceta

Systra’s initial mandate was to specify electrification requirements for the transport center, help produce corresponding plans and specs, and model electric bus power consumption. The task’s complexity quickly prompted the development of a simulation model. Axceta was chosen through a rigorous bidding process to assist in creating a software solution, owing to its up-to-date technological expertise and agility. Initially, a web-based Minimal Viable Product  (MVP) was rapidly developed. As the project took shape, it evolved organically. Thanks to Axceta’s expertise in analogous undertakings, Systra could adopt software development best practices, including project management, streamlined development processes, the continuous implication of the stakeholders, thorough documentation, and rigorous version control.

The TESS Simulator

A web application with role-based access control to projects, the simulator was built over 2 years with data acquisition campaigns from 9 buses, considering many external and internal factors. A predictive model was developed leveraging big data and artificial intelligence to predict fleet consumption and charging needs.  Along with Systra and Axceta, Innovéé Quebec, the CRIM and the STL participated in the project.

Key Features of the TESS Simulator:

• Integrates physical constraints: accurately model parking space and depot layout
• Integrates operation constraints: vehicle parking strategies, vehicle trip matching strategies, vehicle charging strategies
• Minimizes charging infrastructure Test ratio: charger scenarios, try various power capacities, find the best CAPEX/reliability ratio
• Minimizes power demand: run peak shaving scenario, integrate energy cost variation
• Simulates operation & validate charging strategy:  simulate daily operation, run disruption scenarios, export charging strategy pattern

Key Outcomes

In summary, the project was exceedingly successful, with the TESS Simulator being employed for similar projects aimed at streamlining EV fleet optimization, infrastructure investment, and power demand management. On average, Systra slashed its clients’ initial capital expenditure by as much as 60%, alongside a significant reduction in power demand of up to 70%. The solution is currently operational and facilitates the determination of actual consumption impacts on transportation service offerings and testing various disruption scenarios to ensure smooth operation.

“Axceta has played a pivotal role in developing simulation tools to help our clients navigate e-mobility challenges and maximize benefits. Moreover, collaborating with them has been an absolute delight, and we have regarded them as an integral part of our team.” – Christophe Farley-Legault, ing., Product Manager at Systra.