Hitachi Energy

Alexandre Lalonde is part of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business unit, and is based out of Montréal, QC, Canada. He joined Hitachi Energy (back then ABB) in 2017, where he held different roles including technical sales, business development and product management for the North American market in the EV charging segment. Since August 2020, Alexandre is heading Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business unit EV charging group on the North American market. Alexandre holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Université de Sherbrooke with a concentration in Power Engineering from Institut en Génie de l’Énergie Électrique - Polytechnique Montréal.

With the unpredictable cost of fuel and advances in battery storage, the shift to electric buses and trucks is not only becoming increasingly viable but also economically attractive. However, the traditional model of relying on individual charging stations is inadequate for the scale needed to electrify urban fleets. We stand at a crossroad where innovative solutions and collaborative efforts can lead us to a future where clean charging hubs are the backbone of our urban centers.

Hitachi Energy's pilot project with Quebec City’s public transit network (RTC) -which aims to electrify 100% of their buses - serves as a prime example of how these challenges can be addressed head-on by joining forces.

Fostering an Innovative Internal Culture

Urban bus terminals, often constrained by space and not initially designed for electric buses, require charging systems that are compact, scalable, and efficient in space use. The development of the Grid-eMotion Fleet system, guided by a commitment to sustainable solutions, offers a noteworthy attempt at integrating electric buses into existing urban infrastructures.

The system is designed to be versatile, capable of connecting to various power networks and potentially reducing the space needed for large-scale EV fleet charging by up to 60%, with depot cabling possibly reduced by up to 40%. This solution, which is easier and quicker to install, aims to incorporate renewable energy, smart mobility, and digital energy management, along with utilizing data analytics for insights. This pioneering approach to electric bus charging is especially pertinent to North American transit systems, where it promises to navigate the tightrope of maximizing efficiency within the constraints of urban spatial limitations.

Cultivating a Collaboration and Pioneering Spirit

Real-world testing of new technologies under the varying demands of urban transit is often one of the pivotal challenges faced in e-mobility. Hitachi Energy's reputation as a highly collaborative partner stems from its foundational principles of teamwork and innovation and, it wasn’t different when developing the RTC pilot project. A critical aspect of its success was its ability to facilitate collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including RTC, Nova Bus, and various key sub-suppliers, pushing the boundaries of current technologies.

 Paving the way for e-mobility in North America is a collective endeavor. The task of electrifying public transit and commercial fleets in the densely populated centers of our cities presents a formidable challenge and requires a synchronized effort from manufacturers, city planners, utility providers, and infrastructure experts. Hence, the move towards decarbonization is critical to assert our leadership in global climate action and sustainable development 

The Grid-eMotion system, adaptable to various power networks, aims to reduce the spatial footprint of EV fleet charging by up to 60% and depot cabling by up to 40%. This efficiency is achieved without compromising the integration of renewable energy sources, smart mobility, and digital energy management, benefiting from data analytics for enhanced insights.

Through global partnerships with local transportation authorities in cities like London, Västerås in Sweden, and Brisbane, Australia, Hitachi Energy has been able to test its technology in diverse operational environments. This not only provides invaluable data on performance and usage patterns to develop new projects such as the RTC but also demonstrates the viability of low-carbon solutions to other potential adopters, thereby driving the market forward.

Advocating for Bold Policy Support

The energy transition of our public transit and commercial fleets is accelerated by government support. In 2020, the Quebec government announced a plan to electrify 55 percent of the province’s urban buses and 65 percent of school buses by 2030. This initiative highlights the critical role that supportive policy plays in decarbonizing bus fleets, a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Our collaboration with the RTC benefited from forward-thinking policies that incentivized the adoption of electric vehicles and the development of necessary infrastructure. Policies that offer financial incentives for investments in clean energy, streamline the approval processes for new infrastructure, and set ambitious targets for cutting emissions are crucial. They not only lower the entry barriers for emerging technologies but encourage further innovation and investment in the sector.

The path to electrifying urban fleets presents a complex array of challenges, encompassing technological and logistical obstacles, policy considerations, and significant human elements. These include the need for retraining staff, acquiring new skills, managing organizational change, and overcoming resistance to new ways of working. Additionally, the transition period, during which different transit networks will operate both conventional and electric fleets, adds complexity by requiring the maintenance of multiple technologies while simultaneously navigating both technological and workforce transitions.

Nevertheless, recent advancements have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve this in an efficient and economically viable manner, enhancing the well-being of our communities. Together, let’s pave the way to a world with cleaner air, quieter streets, and a more sustainable world for future generations.