ABB traction technologies to improve rail operator’s energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions
ABB has won orders worth more than $140 million from Swiss train manufacturer, Stadler, to supply state-of-the-art traction equipment for trains and locomotives in the United States and several European countries. The orders were booked in the second quarter of 2019.
In the United States, the order includes traction converters for 19 double-deck trains for Caltrain to meet projected increase in travel demand in the San Francisco Bay Area. The new trains with ABB equipment will help provide better service, faster connections and sustainable commuter service.
The orders include ABB’s highly efficient traction transformers and traction converters for 27 regional trains for the Norwegian state-owned passenger transport operator Norske Tog (NT). Fourteen of the new train sets are equipped with ABB onboard energy storage systems that improve energy efficiency and make the fleet more sustainable.
In Germany, the latest generation of roof-mounted traction converters and dry-type traction transformers will be installed on 64 new FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) trains for the S-Bahn networks in Hanover. The converters are based on ABB’s patented multilevel topology and built with the latest semiconductor technology. Similar traction equipment will also be installed on 12 new FLIRT trains for the Swiss operator Schweizerische Südostbahn (SOB). The ABB-powered train sets will serve regional and long-distance routes.
Stadler’s Spanish subsidiary in Valencia has ordered traction converters and traction transformers for 15 locomotives for operation in various countries, including France, Germany, and Spain. Additionally, traction equipment for new rail vehicles for other European operators in Italy and Slovakia were ordered.
“In partnership with Stadler, we have successfully integrated new technologies in modern trains for more than 17 years,” said Morten Wierod, President of ABB’s Motion business. “ABB’s highly compact and light traction technology makes trains more energy efficient, improves operational performance, and increases space to enhance passenger comfort.”
ABB has a long history of providing innovative and energy-efficient technologies to the rail sector, manufacturing and servicing all components and sub-systems in urban, intercity and high-speed networks for rail infrastructure and rolling stock. ABB also provides life-cycle service support, including maintenance and retrofits for its large global installed base.
ABB is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is today a leader in digital industries with four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by its common ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB’s market leading Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
