Hybrid vehicle technology has taken a big step forward with the announcement of a new diesel-electric propulsion system developed and tested here in Atlanta. The new system offers reductions of 40-50 percent in emissions and fuel consumption in heavy vehicles.

A consortium of business, government and industry group formed to validate the new technology, and demonstrated the system Wednesday using a retrofitted Bluebird 30-passenger bus. “We used a bus, but this design can be used for any vehicle from 15,000 to 80,000 pounds” said Dr. Suang Khuwatsamrit, developer of the system.

Georgia Power, one of the consortium members, donated the bus used in the demonstration project. “We at Georgia Power are proud to be part of such an undertaking that offers opportunities for improving our environment,” said Don Still, electric transportation manager. “Our goal is to develop a heavy-duty technology with the best range and lowest emissions possible.”

MARTA has expressed interest in the technology, as have several city and county transit systems.

The hybrid propulsion technology is unique in that it uses a slow speed industrial motor with easily accessible parts and proven reliability. The system also fits within manufacturers’ current production processes, thus requiring no major retooling.

This system is particularly suitable for local delivery trucks that normally spend several hours a day idling while drivers cover their routes. In normal mode, the hybrid consumes much less fuel, thus reducing emissions and noise.

Instead of a 225-250 horsepower diesel engine, the hybrid uses a 100 horsepower engine, providing 40-50 percent fuel savings per mile, and a corresponding 40-50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The technology varies from other hybrids in several additional ways. The system can be configured to refuel using either liquid natural gas, propane, clean diesel or regular diesel. The demonstration bus uses standard diesel. The battery system charges overnight, which equalizes the batteries’ capacity level. During regular operation, an auxiliary power unit generator supplements the batteries for extended operating range.

The demonstration project is a joint venture among: SK International, developer of the system SAFT America, Inc. (Valdosta battery manufacturer) Center for Transportation and the Environment (funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation Electric Transit Vehicle Institute, National Electric Energy Testing and Research Applications Center (NEETRAC, an electric energy research arm of Georgia Tech) Georgia Power Company

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are more than 15 percent below the national average and its 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.