Alstom Specifies Saft Batteries For New Metro Trains In China
17 May 2004 15:31
ALSTOM Valenciennes - France, has specified Saft MATRICS (MAss Transit Rail Integrated Compact battery System) MRX rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries for the 20 metro trains currently under construction for Phase 1, the North-South Line, of the Nanjing Metro in the People's Republic of China. Four 110V batteries, each comprising MRX cells in custom-designed sliding trays, will be installed below the floor of each six-car metro train to provide back-up power for safety and auxiliary circuits.
Located 300km west of Shanghai, Nanjing is the capital of the Jiangsu province. With a population of over 5 million people, it is the second largest business centre in East China, after Shanghai. The 16.8km Phase 1 of the new Metro will run north-south across the city centre. Eight of the 13 stations and 10.2km of the route will be underground. The line is due to enter service in 2006.
ALSTOM, working in partnership with Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Works, was awarded the Euros 160 million contract for the 20 Phase 1 metro trains by the Nanjing Metro Company Ltd. They will be based on technology from ALSTOM's Metropolis product range utilising Onix traction, which will be produced in China by ALSTOM's joint venture, SATEE Company, located in Shanghai.
The Nanjing Metro is a truly international project, with the first trainset being produced in France at ALSTOM Valenciennes, while all subsequent trainsets will be produced at the Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Works in China. Saft won the order for the on-board batteries as a result of close coordination between its technical and service teams in France and Singapore and ALSTOM Valenciennes and ALSTOM China. ALSTOM also had good experience of Saft's 'battery system' approach in previous projects for the Shanghai and Singapore Metros.
For each six-car metro train, Saft is supplying a battery comprising 84 MRX 130 cells (nominal capacity 130Ah). The cells are mounted in custom-designed sliding trays, complete with connectors and a centralised water filling system.
For the train operator, Nanjing Metro Company Ltd, the MATRICS MRX integrated water filling system is important. This simple-to-use feature fills all the cells from one central point and substantially reduces the battery maintenance requirements by enabling cells to be topped-up quickly, safely and accurately, maximising the battery's useful life.
Should the main power supply be interrupted the on-board battery will provide 110V emergency back-up power for safety and auxiliary electrical systems including emergency lighting, signalling, communications, door control, drive and brake control.
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
