From this month, Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia metro station on line 3 del metro de Barcelona incorporates measures for monitoring and environmental analysis in order to reduce its electricity consumption. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is taking part in SEAM4US, a European programme co-financed by the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bestowed with a fund of 2.9 million euros.
The objective of the SEAM4US project Opens page in new window is to develop advanced technologies for the optimal and scalable control of metro stations capable of producing energy savings of at least 5% in non-traction electricity consumption in one year, the equivalent of the electricity consumed in over 700 households in the same period.
TMB has been selected to host this pilot scheme thanks to its position as a major public transport operator. Also taking part is the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – Barcelona Tech, and another seven organisations, including European development centres and private companies from the sector. This is a huge opportunity for TMB, as it benefits from significant investment in knowledge along with users and company departments involved in the project, in operation, maintenance and technology departments.
Lighting, ventilation and escalator control
Following an analysis of the entire metro network, Passeig de Gràcia (L3) was chosen as the pilot station for a system to monitor, control and gather data (through some fifty sensors) to achieve energy efficiency and optimise resources.
The station is like a small smart city. Factors such as temperature, humidity, outdoor weather conditions and number of passengers are monitored throughout the day. The station’s subsystems, such as lighting, escalators and lifts, and ventilation are modulated accordingly. None of this affects passenger experience; in fact, the project reduces energy consumption without the user even noticing.
If SEAM4US obtains positive results, it is planned to study the possibility of implementing the project in more Barcelona metro stations, provided the required investment is minimal.
In this respect, it should be borne in mind that underground transportation systems are energy consumers. A third of the energy required to operate an underground network is used to operate station subsystems, such as ventilation, vertical transportation and lighting.
The companies and entities taking part in the project at international level are: Cofely Italia Spa Co (Italy), Universitá Politecnica delle Marche (Italy), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandtenforschung E.V (Germany), Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt (Finland), Universitaet Kassel (Germany), Almende B.V. (Netherlands) and CNet Svenska AB (Sweden).
Press Release of TMB,
10 July 2014
