Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IntelHeat (Intelligent control system for railway points heating with supreme saving of electicity)

Teaser

The need addresses to railway infrastructure, minimization of service costs and elevation of automation level. The problem persists in countries with a dense railway network, where points heating during winter causes huge costs and electricity savings can save budgets. The...

Summary

The need addresses to railway infrastructure, minimization of service costs and elevation of automation level. The problem persists in countries with a dense railway network, where points heating during winter causes huge costs and electricity savings can save budgets.
The innovative product IntelHeat, a highly specialized SCADA system for points heating control with supreme saving of electricity is based on real-time monitoring of factors causing icing and clogging points by snow. Its uniqueness is measurement of atmospheric precipitation in short-range and ground blizzards remotely by a proprietary optical method. The project’s objective is to reach TRL9 and expand products line.

Work performed

1. Technical tests:
-Unified design of sensors of atmospheric precipitation (short-range) and snow blizzards on the ground level (remote), definition of system models and components;
-Continued trial exploitation at Latvian Railways, proof of adequacy and reliability of work;
-Bench and in-field tests of remote sensor simulating blizzard.
2. Market studies:
-Estimations of total addressable market, regional and global: >140 thousand systems;
-Choice of business model: direct sales contacting customers and using digital business ecosystem platform;
-Identification of market drivers and potential partners/customers - 14 European railway infrastructure companies in the relevant business;
-IntelHeat value chain: main suppliers and activities;
-Estimations of market values for IntelHeat models based the market approach, sales and revenues by years and break-even points;
-Drafting the technology roadmap and business consortium: KTN Ltd. (https://ktn.lv/) - R&D and manufacturing; Encata Ltd. (https://www.encata.net/) - industrial design and marketing.
3. Dissemination: publication in Open Access journal Energy Procedia (Elsevier); presentation at scientific conference CONECT (Riga, 18 May, 2018), dissemination of IntelHeat info page, project website https://intelheat.ktn.lv/, multiple contacts at exhibition Infrarail (London, Excel, 1-3 May 2018)

Final results

-Expansion of sensors functionality using the similar optical technology and components: short-range and remote detection.
-Technical feasibility of remote sensing of snow and dust blizzards proven in bench and in-field studies.
-Proposition of products line: 4 IntelHeat models.
-Analysis of updated technical information and freedom-to-operate.
-Business estimates, market study and consulting with railway customers: better understanding of TAM, partners and customers needs.

Website & more info

More info: https://intelheat.ktn.lv/.