Janus Architecture have designed an overhead charging solution within the historic Walshaw Street Depot in Oldham. Working in conjunction with First Bus and TfGM, the installation supplies power to a brand new fleet of 50No TfGM “Bee Network” ADL Enviro400 EV buses.
The innovative gantry installation utilises Heliox Flex 180 chargers at ground level, feeding electrically operated reels suspended above each bus at high level. The reels provide remote lowering of power leads adjacent to the charging port of each bus, reducing trailing cables and intermediate islands.
The seven gantries have been designed with the restrictions of the existing roof structure, but still provides the required headroom for clear double decker bus movement underneath, whilst remaining structurally independent. The design also provides additional benefits of keeping the yard free from obstructions, increasing driver car parking capacities, and allowing for bus driver training functions.
