Saft Batteries Will Provide Onboard Back-up Power for Bombardier's HSP 250 Power Heads for RENFE
23 January 2006 12:49
Bombardier Transportation Germany has ordered Saft SRM rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery systems to provide a reliable source of low-maintenance back-up power for the 44 new HSP 250, high-speed, multiple-gauge, power heads currently under construction for RENFE (the Spanish National Railway).
Two of the new power heads will be coupled with nine multiple-gauge coaches to form 22 trainsets capable of using Spain's new high-speed lines, at speeds up to 250km/h, as well as the country's conventional network. The Saft battery systems installed in the HSP 250 power heads will provide up to 90 minutes of autonomous support for the control and communication systems. They will also support the central computer system that controls services throughout the train such as emergency lighting, door opening, air conditioning and ventilation.
A major advantage of the Saft SRM batteries for RENFE is that they will need no special attention between normal rolling stock maintenance examinations. Topping up with distilled water is only required at two-year intervals, and there is no need to change the electrolyte during the battery's lifetime.
In addition, the SRM cell design features sintered positive and plastic-bonded negative electrodes (sintered / pbe) which make it up to 20% smaller and lighter than conventional batteries of similar performance, an important consideration in modern rolling stock applications that place a key emphasis on low weight for maximum energy efficiency. Furthermore, it is extremely reliable, does not suffer the 'sudden death' failure that can afflict lead-acid batteries and can provide a long service life of up to 15 years. This extended lifetime exceeds the minimum lifetime required by the UIC 854 R railway specification more than six times.
The SRM is capable of supplying emergency discharges within a wide temperature range, from -50°C to +70°C, and can tolerate deep, often uncontrolled cycling. It has excellent charging characteristics, reaching over 90% capacity after five hours, and also resists arid conditions and heavy vibration over long periods without any affect on its operational capability.
The HSP 250 batteries will comprise 86 SRM 105 FR cells connected in series to provide a nominal 110V and 105Ah capacity. All equipment on the train must offer a high level of safety, so Bombardier selected the FR version of the SRM cells with polyamide flame retardant plastic containers. The batteries will be supplied in custom-built stainless steel crates ready for mounting in the Bombardier mounting box.
The 44 HSP 250 power heads are being constructed by a Bombardier Transportation Germany and Patentes Talgo consortium. Bombardier's scope of supply includes the manufacture of all the electrical equipment, the propulsion system, the train control and communication systems and an exhaustive signalling system.
When the multiple-gauge trains enter service they will cut typical journey times from Madrid to Grenada from just under six hours to around three and a half hours.
The award of this contract follows the performance and reliability demonstrated by Saft batteries over the past three years in a similar application on RENFE's Talgo 350 trains.
For more information on this company:
Saft - Nickel-Cadmium Batteries for Mass Transit Applications
Copyright 2008SPG Media Limited a subsidiary of SPG Media Group PLC
