Product category:
Batteries, chargers and circuit protection
News Release from: Saft Industrial Batteries | Subject: Saft SRM batteries
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 13 June 2007
Battery contract awarded for Beijing
trains
Batteries for Beijing Metro's trainsets will be supplied by Saft's new PRC production facility in one of its first contracts for a local OEM in China.
Saft has been awarded a supply contract by CRC (Changchun Railway Vehicle Company) for the on-board battery systems that will provide reliable, low-maintenance, back-up power for 24 new trainsets under construction for Line 2 of the Beijing Metro The battery systems, based on Saft's specialised SRM rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rail batteries, will be supplied by Saft's new PRC production facility in one of its first contracts for a local OEM in China
CRC, China's leading rolling stock manufacturer, is constructing the 24 new six-car trainsets for the Metro Line 2 as part of an overall programme to expand Beijing's public transport infrastructure in readiness for the 2008 Summer Olympic games.
The first batch of sample trains is scheduled for delivery in spring 2007, and they should all be in service by May 2008.
Two Saft battery systems will be installed on each trainset to provide reliable backup power to support emergency lighting and air conditioning services in the event of an interruption to the main power supply.
Each battery system will comprises 76 SRM140FR- cells, providing a nominal 90V and 140Ah.
A major advantage of the Saft SRM batteries for CRC 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 an emphasis on low weight for maximum energy efficiency.
Furthermore, it is extremely reliable, and 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 by more than six times.
The SRM is capable of supplying emergency discharges within a wide temperature range, from - 50C to +70C, 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 effect on its operational capability.
At the end of May 2006, Saft held the official opening of its new manufacturing plant at Zhuhai.
Saft is the 100% shareholder of this new Chinese subsidiary and chose this location in the Guangdong province because of the excellent quality of its infrastructure, its proximity to existing customers and its skilled labour reserves.
Saft's new purpose-built facility has been constructed on 7000m2 of land.
The industrial installation consists of brand new manufacturing lines that integrate Saft's latest technology, and has an initial work force of around 150.
The General Manager of Saft in China, Pierre-Marc Leroy, said: "The opening of this plant is firm evidence of Saft's long-term commitment to the Chinese market".
"It enables us to demonstrate a significant increase in local added value by assembling our battery systems in China, using locally sourced mechanical and electrotechnical components".
"And in the future, Saft's own Chinese engineers will be able to provide a full range of support services including installation, commissioning and training".
Saft is now present in two markets offering strong growth potential in China.
These are primary lithium batteries which is currently growing at 20% a year, and the booming market for railway system batteries, due to the numerous projects for subways and high-speed trains. Request a free brochure from Saft Industrial Batteries ...
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