Fuel saving device from Kalmar

Kalmar Industries, part of the Cargotec Corporation, has introduced the world's first hybrid drive system that can be attached to a straddle carrier, it says.

The Pro Future is a modular package that can be fitted to the 7th generation Kalmar ESC W straddle carrier and claims to provide more operations, using less fuel. Kalmar estimates that fuel savings could reach 25 to 30%.

"The cyclical operation of straddle carriers in container terminals is the foundation upon why hybrid technology lends such good results in a straddle carrier handling system. This type of operation is very transient and has suitable positive and negative energy peaks that can be utilised to save fuel," comments Ilkka Annala, vice president straddle carriers.

"Genuine reductions in energy use also mean genuine environmental protection, as the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases, such as CO2, are reduced considerably. On an annual level, more than 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions per straddle carrier can be eliminated while employing hybrid technology," adds Annala

The Pro Future package allows hoist motors to be used as generators when lowering containers. The energy produced can be stored until it is needed. Similarly, when machines are braking or decelerating, energy can be produced from the electric drive system and stored.

The machine's supercapacitor energy storage system draws on the saved energy before making further demands on the diesel engine for movement or lifting, thereby drastically reducing fuel consumption and emissions, explains Kalmar.

An in-cab display shows the machine's energy flow, allowing driving style to be further fine-tuned to make the most efficient use of the straddle carrier.