2004
Release: Immediate
Contact: Jean Donovan, NYSERDA, (518) 862-1090, ext. 3516
New Truck Stop Electrification Site Opens on Northway
New York Showcases Commercial Infrastructure Installed for Long-Haul Trucks to Eliminate Need For Engine Idling
Wilton, NY, May 19, 2004 - A new Truck Stop Electrification (TSE) facility was formally opened today off Exit 16 of New York State I-87 (Adirondack Northway) at the Wilton Truck Plaza, the first on this major Albany-to-Montreal highway. New York, which was the first State to install such facilities, is the acknowledged national leader in this effort with four sites in the State. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Energy, and Antares Group partnered to construct this facility which contains a 20 unit shorepower system.
The truck stop electrification systems provide grid-supplied electricity to the truck's cab allowing truck drivers who have stopped for sleep or rest to run air conditioning systems, heating systems, televisions, computers, microwaves, and other electrical needs without idling their trucks' diesel engines for extended periods of time. In addition to eliminating the negative health impacts caused by diesel fuel emissions, the systems are also more economical and save the drivers money.
The President of NYSERDA, Peter R. Smith, said "New York is proud to be a leader in working to increase the deployment of truck stop electrification, here in New York and across the country. The Adirondack Northway is a critical component in Governor Pataki's vision of strengthening our relationship, including our trade efforts, with our Canadian neighbors. Providing for the electricity needs of long haul drivers who travel this major Albany to Montreal route, without having to idle their engines, makes tremendous economic and environmental sense. We will continue to work with our federal partners at the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOT to help develop standardized facilities that will ensure the success of these environmentally important projects."
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said, "Thanks to the support of Governor Pataki, and our partners at the State and Federal levels, these new truck stop electrification systems will enable truckers to continue enjoying some of the creature comforts of home on the long haul, while contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment."
"Caterpillar Inc. is pleased to partner with NYSERDA and the Advanced Transportation Technologies Program to demonstrate Idle Reduction Technologies. In support of New York State's Truck Stop Electrification (TSE) initiative, this project will place 10 trucks with New York based fleets to demonstrate improved fuel economy and two idle reduction solution, Shore-Power and an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) on Class 8 heavy-duty truck," said Bruce Tipton, Cat Electronics Systems Integration Manager.
Much of our nation's freight, some 16 billion tons of goods, is transported by 500,000 long-haul trucks across our nation's highways. When these trucks stop for extended periods, drivers typically idle the diesel engines in order to supply heat or cooling to their sleeper compartments, avoid cold-weather starting problems, and maintain the vehicle battery charge while running electric appliances.
A study by Argonne National Laboratory stated that the average sleeper cab truck idles for 1,830 hours annually, and consumes approximately one gallon of diesel fuel per hour. Engine idling causes pollution from the emissions, noise problems, and added fuel and maintenance costs. It also contributes to driver discomfort, with increased carbon dioxide concentrations caused by idling linked to driver headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that idling trucks consume over 950 million gallons of diesel fuel annually, and generate 10 million tons of carbon dioxide and 200,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, as well as particulate matter (soot) and carbon monoxide.
Niagara Mohawk first proposed this concept in 2000, and New York State has become a national leader in providing drivers the option of using TSE units. Four such sites are available across the State, including the Northway, Exit 16 site, two New York State Thruway (I-90) facilities east of Syracuse, one eastbound at the DeWitt Travel Plaza, and one westbound at the Chittenango Travel Plaza, and one at Hunts Point Market in the Bronx.
The TSE facility in Wilton which is a shorepower or on-board system, is similar to the electrical hook-up systems seen at marinas and recreational vehicle parks. Typically it requires that an electric-powered HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) system be installed on trucks. Another TSE option is a full service, or off-board approach which supplies electric power but provides air conditioning from a unit mounted above each parking space. New York has previously installed three off-board facilities and was the first state in the nation to do so.
Caterpillar Inc. has invested seven years in developing technology (MorElectric Technology) that removes belt and/or gear driven accessories from truck engines and drives them with electric motors as just the actual speed/pressure/or flow required..
The ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the Northway Exit 16 Truck Stop Electrification site, was the culmination of a National Idling Reduction Planning Conference held at the Desmond in Colonie, which was sponsored by NYSERDA. U.S. EPA, and U.S. DOT.
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds under an agreement with the Public Service Commission. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.
###
|
