Batteries power water buses

The high energy storage capacity and light weight of the Saft rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries enables the water buses to remain in constant operation for a six-hour shift .

Saft batteries are providing efficient, silent and environmentally friendly power for two new all-electric water buses that have just started operation on the Saint-Denis canal in Paris.

The new water buses offer a free, dedicated shuttle service for employees commuting to ICADE EMGP's Millenaire Park offices in the 19th district of Paris.

This service connects the Corentin Cariou Metro station to the dock at Millenaire Park, a canal journey of around seven minutes.

It also serves the Park "Portes de Paris" in the Seine St Denis district.

The high energy storage capacity and light weight of the Saft rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries enables the water buses to remain in constant operation for a six-hour shift (around 30 return trips) between charges, as they carry up to 75 passengers at speeds between six and 12km/h over a 1.1km route.

The electric water buses were designed and built by Alternatives Energies and Eve System was contracted to project manage the key electrical engineering aspects of the project, working in partnership with Saft's technical teams to design and develop the integrated Ni-Cd battery system.

Its total weight of 2150kg is estimated to be some 30% less than the equivalent lead-acid battery system.

Without this weight saving a successful design for a boat able to carry 75 passengers would not have been viable.

ICADE EMGP, the owner of the two boats, decided that the most economical solution for the battery systems was to lease them on a 'full-service' basis from Sodetrel, which has taken responsibility for maintenance and servicing of the batteries over a five-year contract.

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