Energy Efficiency Made Simple Vol IV 2015

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Figure 3: The WMagnet motor range by WEG, as used in Freedom Won’s electric conversions, is driven by the CFW11 range of inverter. (Image courtesy WEG).

Case study data Table 1 summarises the data received from Chobe Game Lodge (CGL). Freedom 3 is its first electric Land Rover, which has been operating since August 2014. Freedom 4 is its first electric boat, and Freedom 5 is its second electric Land Rover. The Land Rovers are Defender 130s with game viewing configuration for 11 seats. The boat is a 9 m long twin hull flat deck boat with capacity for 18 passengers.

Figure 4: 88A CFW 11 mounted into the Chobe Game Lodge electric boat (Freedom 4) console along with the battery management system, chargers, 12 V battery and other electrical equipment.

Table 1: Chobe Game Lodge Energy Consumption and Carbon Genera- tion Case Study Data updated July 2015.

Parameter

Electric Land Rovers Electric Boat Freedom 3 Freedom 5 Freedom 4

In operation since September 2014

April 2015

November 2014

Distance travelled / hours operated on electric power Total electrical energy consumed Energy consumed per km or hour Cost per kWh for Victoria Falls Hydro Power at CGL Fuel consumption prior to electric conversion Cost per km or hr prior to conversion Cost per km or hr

10 541 km 4 634 km 535 hrs

3 773 kWh 1 666 kWh 1 684 kWh

Figure 5: 30 kW WEG PM motor fitted to an outboard stem on the Chobe Game Lodge electric boat. (Cover has been removed for photo).

0,36 kWh per km

0,36 kWh per km

3,14 kWh per hr

ZAR 0,55

The objective for EV operators should be to install a photovoltaic array that can charge the EVs at a fixed cost of about ZAR 0,80 per kWh on a life cycle amortised basis. This feature also allows the operator to shift to a zero operational CO 2 emissions scenario. The featured 4x4 electric vehicles will be averaging nearly 2 000 km per month each over the coming years and they will be joined by a further 10 electric Land Cruisers and another five electric boats. The entire lodge will operate on electric mobility with a total of about 20 000 kms covered by the 4x4 vehicles and 600 hours of boat operation per month. This will equate to about 9 400 kg of CO 2 emission savings for the 4x4s and 3 000 kg for the boats per month. Return on Investment In the case of Chobe Game Lodge, the cost savings of converting its whole fleet to electric drives are only a bonus, the real interest is in pioneering eco-tourism and offering guests a unique silent and pollution free game viewing experience.

ZAR 0,20/km ZAR 0,20/km ZAR 1,74/hr

18l/100 km 18l/100 km 2,15 l/hr

ZAR 1,81/km ZAR 1,81/km ZAR 21,6/hr

emissions

4 951 kg

2 176 kg

2 672 kg

Total CO 2 avoided

Data in Table 1 shows that the electric Land Rovers are so efficient that the cost of purchasing their energy is a little over 10% of what it costs to purchase fuel for a diesel powered equivalent. The hydroelectricity is less costly in the Chobe region (Pula 0,45) but in South Africa the effect of our more expensive electricity is mostly counteracted by our more expensive diesel – and the result is very similar.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY MADE SIMPLE 2015