The Municipality of Galatsi, being extravert and innovative and having as its prime concern the improvement of the quality of life within its city, in an effort to reduce the heavy-duty vehicles pollutant emissions has submitted for funding by the EU funding instrument for the environment, the LIFE Programme, the LIFE-CAT4HEAVY proposal.
MAYOR OF GALATSI GEORGE MARKOPOULOS
It is important to note that in an era of continuous and important challenges in the environmental sector, the Municipality of Galatsi is the sole Greek municipalit to be supported as Coordinating Beneficiary and not just as Beneficiary between all LIFE2017 funded proposals and for a total project grant of 2.7 million €.
As years go by, the need for securing a better life quality of life for citizens is becoming more important, particularly in large urban centers.
We live in an era that the challenge of environmental protection becomes of major importance since its directly linked to our life. Improving the quality of life in our municipality and in all municipalities requires drastic interventions to restrain the damage on the environment. Coordinating, the LIFE-CAT4HEAVY project, the Municipality of Galatsi, pioneers in a pan-European level, and this is not its only action. The Municipality struggles on a daily basis for a clean and environmental friendly city. However, the Municipality is not alone in this everyday battle. It hopes that all of its citizens and visitors are allies in this effort.
THE NECESSITY
Despite the fact that Public-use Heavy Duty Vehicles (waste collection, trucks, lorries, cranes etc.) represent the 5% of vehicles, they contribute to the 33% of the emissions produced within urban centers. Given their low levels of fatigue (average distance covered by the Galatsi Municipality’s vehicles is less than 15,000 km annually) they may remain in circulation even up to 22 years given the high cost associated to their replacement (above 150,000€).
Thus, the circulation of technologically obsolete Heavy Duty Vehicles (even Euro I) adversely affect the cities’ quality of atmosphere throughout Europe. It is indicative that in 2016 the concentration of carcinogenic benzene at Patission Station (according to the atmospheric pollution measurements of the Ministry of Environment) returned to the levels of 2006 by 2016, while it had been previously reduced by 50%.
THE PROJECT
LIFE-CAT4HEAVY project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme, the funding instrument of the European Union for the Environment and Climate Change. The project will implement the use of Innovative Catalyst Based Emission Control System on Heavy Vehicles, which will significantly impact the environment, dramatically reducing GHG and air pollutant emissions. This will allow for their adherence to the requirement standards set by the EU for air quality and emissions levels.
The reduction in toxic emissions is achieved by the use of nanotechnology for the production of multi-metallic catalytic substrates. During the project implementation, this innovative catalytic technology will be demonstrated (in real conditions) on 30 vehicles of the Municipality of Galatsi (Greece), the Public Company of Waste Management of the Port of Genova (Italy) and the Public Transport Company of Mantua Region (Italy). These 30 vehicles will be upgraded as per the European emissions measuring system from EURO IV to EURO VI. It is estimated that the specific upgrade of the heavy vehicles will result in 95% reduction of the main toxic emissions, such as micro particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The project aims to demonstrate that the use of this innovative nano-catalytic devices may result to the modernization of Heavy Duty Vehicle fleets of local public or other public authorities, as well as to their adherence to the targets set for the emissions levels. In order to accomplish this aim, a feasibility study will be performed to assess its financial feasibility towards of its upscaling or industrialization.
Finally, the project aims to influence policy decision makers and push forward the EU emission regulation policy and legislation for Heavy Duty Vehicles.
THE OBJECTIVES
The successful implementation
of the proposed innovative technology with direct positive impact
to air quality and the environment.
The replacement of Diesel oxidation catalysts by three-way nano-catalysts for the selective reduction of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).
The replacement of Diesel particulate filters by catalytic filters for the reduction of CO, Hydrocarbons (HC) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).
The complete elimination of the current selective reduction catalytic system that use ammonia (NH3), since NOx emissions will be treated by novel nano-catalysts based on Rhodium and Copper.
The introduction of a pollutants emission measuring and monitoring system.
The recycling of all the materials and devices that are used.
