Rhine-Alpine News
30.10.2024
German freight traffic set to increase
Symbolic picture by Buffik on Pixabay
Federal Transport Minister Dr Volker Wissing presented the 2040 traffic forecast in Berlin, which replaces the previous 2030 forecast. The forecast is the most comprehensive of its kind in over ten years, considering factors such as population growth, energy transition effects, and the war in Ukraine.
The forecast predicts a significant increase in traffic in Germany by 2040, particularly in the freight sector. Rail freight transport will see the greatest increase, with trucks remaining the dominant mode of transport. Passenger transport will also increase by around 8% to 1,323 billion kilometres, with rail transport growing the most and air transport increasing the most. However, cars and motorcycles will remain the most popular means of transport, covering two-thirds of the distance traveled. The forecast emphasizes the need for decisive investment in all modes of transport, including the renovation of ageing routes, bridges, tunnels, locks, and railway expansion. The forecast also highlights the significant reduction in CO2 emissions from transport by switching to climate-friendly drive systems in all modes of transport.
Source(in German):
A short and long version of the 2040 traffic forecast in German can be found here.
Germany approves hydrogen pipeline network
Symbolic picture by akitada31 on Pixabay
The German Federal Network Agency has approved a hydrogen core network proposed by gas pipeline network operators, which includes 9040 km of pipelines to be operational by 2032. Around 60% of these will be converted from gas to hydrogen, and 40% will be newly constructed. The expected investment costs amount to €18.9 billion. The hydrogen core network is the first step towards a hydrogen economy and is essential for the conversion of energy-intensive industrial processes to hydrogen. The first lines will be converted starting next year. The hydrogen core network is designed to connect future hydrogen clusters with each other and ensure a connection to infrastructure in other countries, such as the Netherlands. The further development of the infrastructure will be carried out as part of the regularly recurring network development planning (NEP) for gas and hydrogen. The approval of the hydrogen core network by the Federal Network Agency is a strong signal for the energy transition and sets an important example for the consistent development of the hydrogen infrastructure in Europe. The gas transmission system operators (TSOs) conducted market surveys for hydrogen production and demand in the 2020 and 2022 NEP Gas and developed their own hydrogen model in the NEP Gas.
Source(in German):
Strategic planning of charging infrastructure faced with challenges
Symbolic picture by Geralt on Pixabay
The increasing interest in electric mobility in the transport sector presents challenges in developing a corresponding charging infrastructure. To design an effective charging infrastructure and enable needs-based planning, specific requirements and data must be taken into account. To achieve this, NOW GmbH presented a plan for 350 fast-charging stations for lorries, based on demand modelling based on commercial vehicle traffic and market ramp-up figures. However, demand-oriented planning is more difficult due to the predominantly diesel-powered data.
Data-based planning for future routes requires understanding the differences in electric operation, including delivery windows, shift lengths, driver rest periods, range of electric trucks, payload restrictions, charging locations, times, and grid restrictions. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can help reconcile these factors, allowing for data-based planning for future routes.
The range and charging times of electric trucks are crucial for logistics planning, and AI-supported systems can monitor these variables in real time and make appropriate adjustments. Synchronizing charging times with drivers‘ statutory rest periods can also help plan optimal charging and rest times.
Location requirements, including the local power grid, energy storage systems, and renewable energy sources, should also be considered. Policymakers and companies can work together to reduce the cost of charging on the road and maximize the benefits of investments in charging infrastructure.
Source(in German):