Summary
- Hitachi Rail is working with Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham, and DB ESG to create a small and light battery pack for trains
- They are collaborating with Turntide Technologies to bring automotive battery technology to the rail industry
- The project has received £1.4 million in funding from private and public sectors
- Smaller, more powerful batteries are needed for accessible design of lower train floors and level access at platforms
- The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research is optimizing the battery design with railway simulations and enhancing railway simulator capabilities
Article
Hitachi Rail is collaborating with Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham, and DB ESG to develop a new small and lightweight battery pack for commuter and suburban trains. The project aims to create a battery pack that can maintain high power while being smaller and more energy-dense compared to previous technology. The project has received funding from private and public sectors, including Innovate UK, and is utilizing automotive battery technology from Turntide Technologies.
The new battery pack is essential for enabling accessible design of lower train floors and level access at platforms, as well as reducing weight and simplifying maintenance processes. DB ESG is leading the design of the battery enclosure, focusing on fire protection, cooling capability, and electrical integration. The University of Birmingham’s Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is optimizing the battery design using railway simulations to validate its performance on representative UK routes.
Hitachi Rail has previously rolled out the Masaccio hybrid train in Italy, and recent developments include the unveiling of a new intercity version of the train. The company plans to introduce the EuroMasaccio in additional European markets from 2026, including Germany. The collaboration with DB ESG has allowed Hitachi Rail to develop a battery system for their intercity battery trial and further optimize the design for the low-floor commuter train, despite the challenges posed by limited space due to lowering the floor.
The partnership between Hitachi Rail, Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham, and DB ESG is focused on creating a more efficient and powerful battery pack for use in commuter and suburban trains. By leveraging automotive battery technology and optimizing the battery design through simulations and testing on representative UK routes, the project aims to enhance the performance and energy density of the battery while maintaining high power output. The project has received funding from both private and public sectors, showcasing a collaborative effort to innovate and improve railway technology.
The new battery pack being developed by Hitachi Rail and its partners will be crucial for enabling accessible design of lower train floors and level access at platforms, as well as reducing weight and simplifying maintenance processes. The involvement of DB ESG in designing the battery enclosure ensures that key aspects such as fire protection, cooling capability, and electrical integration are taken into consideration. The University of Birmingham’s role in optimizing the battery design through simulations adds another layer of expertise to the project, enabling the validation of performance on UK routes.
Overall, the collaboration between Hitachi Rail, Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham, and DB ESG represents a concerted effort to innovate and improve battery technology for use in commuter and suburban trains. By combining automotive battery technology, design expertise, and simulation capabilities, the project aims to develop a smaller and more energy-dense battery pack that can meet the power requirements of modern trains. With plans to roll out the new battery technology in additional European markets, including Germany, Hitachi Rail is poised to make significant advancements in the field of railway technology.
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