Rethinking Energy Supply: The Innovative GUW+ DC Substation

Hendrik, could you give us an overview of the innovative GUW+ project and how it’s revolutionizing energy supply in public transport?

The GUW+ project is a true milestone in public transport energy supply. It connects existing tram and light rail infrastructure with modern charging stations for electric buses. It not only provides battery storage for peak loads and regenerative braking energy, but also enables the provision of grid services. By linking established tram and train networks with state-of-the-art charging infrastructure, it creates an integrated and sustainable energy solution. In short, this holistic approach to public transport energy supply has the potential to fundamentally reshape urban mobility while significantly reducing environmental impact.

What advantages does the GUW+ project offer compared to conventional approaches?

The benefits of the GUW+ project are wide-ranging and span several areas. For one, it makes use of existing infrastructure. By integrating with charging stations for electric vehicles and repurposing used vehicle batteries, it reduces infrastructure costs and makes more efficient use of resources. The ability to sell surplus energy as balancing power contributes to grid stability. Additionally, optimized use of regenerative braking energy significantly reduces operating costs and increases the overall efficiency of the system. GUW+ also helps reduce peak loads across the pool, which has a direct economic benefit. And let’s not forget the safety aspect: in the event of a blackout, GUW+ enables a controlled restart of public transport operations and ensures that passengers can exit vehicles safely.

How did ELPRO contribute to the successful implementation of the GUW+ project?

ELPRO played a key role in making the GUW+ concept a reality by bringing in a broad range of expertise and services. We not only supplied the substation’s technical equipment and developed cutting-edge power electronics, but also implemented custom energy management and process optimization solutions. Our energy management system (EOS) handles data collection, process optimization, and forecasting. We also took charge of integration and installation planning, and developed, tested, and optimized the operations and energy monitoring system. This enabled efficient use of available resources and continuous improvement of operational workflows. Our expertise and tailored solutions were essential to the project’s success. And it worked especially well because of the internal support at Elpro—my colleague Manuel Hahn, for instance, was always there with his technical know-how and hands-on help, which is far from a given.