Brookville Equipment Corporation is on the leading edge of wireless power capabilities. Without government backing, BROOKVILLE has taken initiatives to implement off-wire capabilities into its modernized streetcars. This type of feature will be beneficial to cities that have areas where overhead wire cannot be accommodated. BROOKVILLE has designed a completely wireless streetcar that is operated by batteries and charged through non contact charging. The batteries are periodically charged through induction coils that are located in critical areas along the route to incrementally charge the batteries located on the streetcar. BROOKVILLE has recently manufactured two streetcars with this technology.
Wireless power transfer is not a new concept; in fact, it has been around for about a century. However, the idea of using it to rapidly power electrical vehicles is a concept that is innovative and exciting. Wireless power transfer is known for its use in various consumer devices and factory power strips but is newly engineered for its use in vehicles. One case that further illustrates this concept is a project underway at the University of Utah.
In December 2011, the Utah Transit Authority was provided with a federal grant of $2.7 million. A company affiliated with the University of Utah was awarded the grant money to manufacture one shuttle bus and install an electrified bus route under the pavement of the University’s Salt Lake City campus. With a more efficient charging system, mass transit vehicles will have the ability to run off of much smaller batteries, offering a significant savings in weight. It is projects similar to this that allow the public to learn about, see the results of, and trust in new technologies being made available in the transportation industry.
Electric vehicles offer advanced energy efficiency in addition to exponentially reducing CO2 emissions. However, they are limited to few recharging options and ranges. For batteries to have the ability to wirelessly recharge at passenger pickup points is a significant step toward the future possibility of renovations of mass transit systems worldwide or even unlimited range electric mobility for all types of electric vehicles. It is understandable that technological renovations of major highways are unlikely to occur immediately, due to the newness of the technology and large investment needed for that type of project. However, the government believes that this technology has the potential to make great changes in transportation systems, providing a more smooth and efficient solution for battery charging. Staying on track with its environmental visions, BROOKVILLE strives to see wireless power being implemented into more of its units in the years to come.