Energy neutral on 'the last mile' in urban logistics
The EU Interreg project Citylogistic 2.0 recently launched. The project is developing an innovative, intelligent, and sustainable distribution system to reduce the increasing emissions from logistics in city centers and is being tested in the citie of Groningen (NL) and Oldenburg (Germany). The system will consist of an energy-self-sufficient, mobile mini-hub and a purpose-built vehicle powered by the renewable energy from the mini-hub. In Citylogistic 2.0, ten German and Dutch partners are collaborating across borders, with OLEC Oldenburg (Germany) and New Energy Coalition Groningen (NL) as project leaders. The project has a budget of EUR 5,4 million and runs until July 31, 2027.
In this pilot project, direct delivery by truck or van—often diesel-powered—from distribution centers to the customer will be replaced in the final transport leg by climate-neutral delivery via a mini-hub. The innovative feature is the special combination of an energy-self-sufficient mini-hub, a newly developed electric vehicle (Light Electric Freight Vehicle – LEFV), and the communication technology networks, as well as the dialogue between the hub and the vehicle. Automatic communication between the mini-hub and the vehicle involves not only logistics data but also energy management. The vehicles communicate independently with the hub and send information about their charging status and, if necessary, the route. The hub reports when a charging point is available and what the estimated charging time is.
Reducing high-emission delivery traffic in neighborhoods and cities
Trucks and vans transport roll containers to the mini-hub, and the LEFVs deliver the shipments from the mini-hub to the customer. This reduces high-emission delivery traffic in residential areas and city centers. Test phases of 9-12 months are planned in the partner cities of Groningen and Oldenburg. Both cities are very similar in their design and have high ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas. On the Dutch side, the increasing grid congestion also plays a central role. Against this backdrop, autonomous energy supply concepts can make a meaningful contribution.
The selected location in the Netherlands is Zernike Campus Groningen, offering optimal conditions for integrating the mini-hub into a simulated energy system – even considering seasonal usage. With the new Helleheide neighborhood (a former air base) as the location for the test phase on the German side, an innovative residential area is being created that supports new concepts in the community and makes technical innovations available to residents. Active citizen participation will therefore be incorporated into the design and operation of the mini-hub in Oldenburg.
