KARLSRUHE SUCCESS LEADS TO FURTHER NI-CD BATTERY TRIALS

摘要

Stadtbahn Karlsruhe is following successful initial trials of nickel-cadmium batteries to replace wet cell units on its tram-train network with further field tests. The operator is closely monitoring reliability, performance and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) with rechargeable Saft Matrics MRX batteries in a light rail application.rnThe trial has now entered a second phase with the installation of two further test batteries used to power Karlsruhe's tram-trains for up to 250m as they switch between 750V DC and 15 kV AC. This requires the onboard battery system (with a nominal voltage of 24 V), to provide a minimum of 20 V for a cut-off period of between 20-25 seconds to support all the electrical loads.