AkKuLOG-Sustainable Logistics for Battery Indystry
Developing solutions to reduce the environmental impact of trasportation and logistics in the battery industry during construction and production.
Sustainable transportation and logistic
Replicable operational models for green industrial investment logistics
The AkKuLOG project aims to proactively reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations during the construction and production phases of the battery industry.
The project investigates alternative energy sources and their suitability for industrial logistics, bith in terms of material and personal transport. The AkKuLOG projects aims to minimize the risk related to multinational investment logistics, transportation, climate, environment and safety in the Kymenlaakso region.
Future transportation solutions
The suitability of alternative fuels for heavy-duty transportation
Key actions of the project
The battery industry offers significant growth potential for the Finnish economy. Plans are being made to establish battery industry in the Kotka and Hamina region as green investments. If the plans are fully realized, the value of the investments is estimated to be round 8.5 billion euros. This would create new significant business and employment areas.
Environmental impact of industrial logistics
Even in green industrial investments, construction and transportation during production can have environmental impacts. During the construction phase, it is estimated that over 5000 people may be involved in the construction. Similarly, transportation of personnel during production involves at least hundreds or even thousands of individuals commuting from their homes to work and back.
The AkKuLOG project is designed to proactively respond to the information needs of battery industry investments in the Kotka-Hamina region from a logistics and transportation perspective, incorporating strong expertise in energy systems into the analyses.
The project is carried out as a case study in the battery industry, but the solutions developed in the project are replicable and applicable to other industies requiring heavy logistics.
Better results with group project
The AkKuLOG project is being implemented as a group project with Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT). LUT brings strong expertise in energy technology to the project. They are primarily responsible for implementing Work Package 4 of the project. Work Package 4 focuses on: Alternative power sources as energy solutions for transportation and logistics.
Work Package 4 focuses on researching and analyzing the following electric transportation solutions in particular:
- High-power charging
- Battery swapping technology
- Use of trailers equipped with their own energy storage for heavy transport
The work package involves multidimensional optimizing among different power sources, considering economic aspects, sustainability, operational flexibility, and safety. Work Package 4 also includes assessing near-future technological advancement and their impact on the design of electric system.
Modeling and simulation of transport and commuting movements
The models produced in the project aim to find safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions for implementing green logistics.
Primarily, the simulations will examine, in terms of heavy transports, the routing between industrial plants, ports, and other relevant logistics centers, as well as the future infrastructure needed.
As part of the project, an alternative fuel distribution infrastructure study will be conducted in Kymenlaakso. This study, in conjunction with similar studies conducted elsewhere in Finland, serves as crucial baseline information when simulating potential transport routes.
Handling and storage of cargo will take into account the development of automation in logistics solutions. Xamk and LUT have jointly prepared a project related to smart grid, to which AkKuLOG has close ties.
Minimizing the negative impacts of transportation.
Virtual modeling and simulations will primarily be implemented using the Emme and Brutus transport simulation programs as platforms. Emme is designed for modeling and simulating comprehensive transportation systems, including heavy traffic, while Brutus is capable of depicting travel chains. Work Package 2 of the project has focused on gathering the necessary information for simulations and modeling. A dedicated report based on the initial data will be completed by the end of 2024.
Work Package 3 of the project is designed for actual simulations. The project will primarily produce models and simulations to build logistics solutions for the battery industry, with the goal of minimizing potential negative impacts.
Report: Alnernative Energy Distribution Infrastructure Study in Kymenlaakso
The study conducted by Ramboll Finland Oy maps the distribution infrastructure for alternative energies in Kymenlaakso. This study is part of the joint project “AkKuLOG” by Xamk and LUT University and will be used as a basis for the third work package of the AkKuLOG project.
According to the study, Kymenlaakso already has good conditions for the introduction of alternative energies. The infrastructure for electric vehicle charging is currently mostly sufficient, but more investment in efficient charging points for heavy-duty transport is needed. In terms of gas stations, there is existing capacity, but more refueling stations could be beneficial. Investments in hydrogen usage are also timely.
The study also evaluates future traffic volumes and their impact on the planning of distribution infrastructure. The demand for electricity is predicted to increase significantly in the coming years, with the electrification of heavy traffic further increasing the need for charging.
Funding opportunities for alternative energy infrastructure are available from several sources, such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Energy Authority. EU-level funding opportunities should also be utilized. The study lays the foundation for cooperation among Kymenlaakso’s regional actors in the development of alternative energy infrastructure.
The full report can be downloaded from this link: Alternative Energy Distribution Infrastructure Study in Kymenlaakso
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Facts
AkKuLOG – Sustainable transportation logistics in the battery industry
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