Intelligent control system for railway points heating with supreme saving of electicity

Informazioni relative al progetto

IntelHeat

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 790320

DOI

10.3030/790320

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 29 Novembre 2017

Data di avvio 1 Dicembre 2017

Data di completamento 31 Maggio 2018

Finanziato da

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Costo totale

€ 71 429,00

Contributo UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinato da

SIA KTN
Latvia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IntelHeat (Intelligent control system for railway points heating with supreme saving of electicity)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-12-01 al 2018-05-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

The need addresses to railway infrastructure, minimization of service costs and elevation of automation level. The problem persists in countries with a dense railway network, where points heating during winter causes huge costs and electricity savings can save budgets.
The innovative product IntelHeat, a highly specialized SCADA system for points heating control with supreme saving of electricity is based on real-time monitoring of factors causing icing and clogging points by snow. Its uniqueness is measurement of atmospheric precipitation in short-range and ground blizzards remotely by a proprietary optical method. The project’s objective is to reach TRL9 and expand products line.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

1. Technical tests:
-Unified design of sensors of atmospheric precipitation (short-range) and snow blizzards on the ground level (remote), definition of system models and components;
-Continued trial exploitation at Latvian Railways, proof of adequacy and reliability of work;
-Bench and in-field tests of remote sensor simulating blizzard.
2. Market studies:
-Estimations of total addressable market, regional and global: >140 thousand systems;
-Choice of business model: direct sales contacting customers and using digital business ecosystem platform;
-Identification of market drivers and potential partners/customers - 14 European railway infrastructure companies in the relevant business;
-IntelHeat value chain: main suppliers and activities;
-Estimations of market values for IntelHeat models based the market approach, sales and revenues by years and break-even points;
-Drafting the technology roadmap and business consortium: KTN Ltd. (https://ktn.lv/) - R&D and manufacturing; Encata Ltd. (https://www.encata.net/) - industrial design and marketing.
3. Dissemination: publication in Open Access journal Energy Procedia (Elsevier); presentation at scientific conference CONECT (Riga, 18 May, 2018), dissemination of IntelHeat info page, project website https://intelheat.ktn.lv/ multiple contacts at exhibition Infrarail (London, Excel, 1-3 May 2018)

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

-Expansion of sensors functionality using the similar optical technology and components: short-range and remote detection.
-Technical feasibility of remote sensing of snow and dust blizzards proven in bench and in-field studies.
-Proposition of products line: 4 IntelHeat models.
-Analysis of updated technical information and freedom-to-operate.
-Business estimates, market study and consulting with railway customers: better understanding of TAM, partners and customers needs.

Forecasts for EBITDA by years after project’s Phase 2 realization and break-even points (BEP) for 3

Interior of IntelHeat-l remote sensing unit, layout of sensitivity test and typical timeline graphs

Trial exploitation of IntelHeat-b at Latvian Rialways: precipitation sensor installed on mast at a r

Functional layout of IntelHeat: 1 – railway point; 2 – heating control cabinet; 3 – snow blower; 4 -