Saft on-board batteries will provide energy efficient backup power

Saft on-board batteries will provide energy efficient backup power on
CAF’s Sprinter New Generation trains for Dutch Railways
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Saft opens up the Dutch railway market with order to supply batteries for fleet of 118 CAF Sprinter New
Generation electric commuter trainsets.
Two Saft batteries on each trainset will provide over three hours of backup power to maintain the continuity of
critical on-board services.
Paris, September 20th 2016 – Saft, world leader in the design, development and manufacture of high
technology batteries for industry, has been awarded a major contract by CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de
Ferrocarriles S.A.), Spain’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, to supply the on-board backup power
batteries for the new electric commuter trains currently under construction for Nederlandse Spoorwegen
(NS), the Dutch railway network operator. Saft’s nickel-based MRX batteries will enhance the energy
efficiency of the 118-strong fleet of new trains as the Dutch rail network makes the transition to running
entirely on renewable wind energy by 2018.
CAF is adapting its Civity EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) design to provide Sprinter services on the Dutch
railway network. These Sprinter New Generation units feature a low floor design that offers leading edge
comfort, efficiency and safety technology. The aerodynamic design of the units, the shared bogie system
for weight reduction, and other technological advances provide for optimum power efficiency. The fleet
that CAF is manufacturing for NS comprises 68, three-car trainsets and 50, four-car trainsets scheduled to
start revenue service from 2018.
Two Saft batteries will be fitted to each NS trainset where they will deliver a combination of high power
and energy to ensure the continuity of critical control, safety and communications functions for over three
hours should the main power supply be interrupted.
“This order for the Sprinter New Generation NS trains was Saft’s biggest order in Spain’s railway sector for
2015 and further reinforces Saft’s long-standing relationship with CAF who are already the largest
customer for our Spanish subsidiary,’ says Glen Bowling, Transportation, Telecom & Grid Group Senior VP
Sales at Saft. ‘The order is also particularly important as it is helping Saft to open up the Dutch train
market.”
The batteries that Saft is manufacturing for CAF comprise 80 MRX115 cells for a nominal 110 V and 115 Ah
capacity. Saft has developed the MRX cells specifically to provide a compact, lightweight battery solution
that provides high performance within the limited space envelope available on modern train designs. It
also offers predictable and reliable performance over a long service life of up to 15 years that contributes
to an optimized Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Furthermore, MRX batteries offer a higher energy
capability at extreme temperatures, ranging from - 30°C to + 70°C, to ensure continuity of train services
especially for routes on the Dutch railways that experience severe winters. In addition to reduced
maintenance requirements, an important advantage for the train operator NS is the integrated water
filling system that makes topping-up fast and simple.
Saft has delivered the first batteries to CAF in 2016 and the programme will continue until 2019.
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About Saft
Saft is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group
is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial
infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics’ markets. Saft is the world leader
in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage,
transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,100 employees in 19 countries, 14
manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the
future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com
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Press contacts:
Saft
Karen Hollington, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel.: +33 1 49 93 17 68, e-mail: [email protected]
Marie-Christine Guihéneuf, Transportation, Telecom and Grid Communication Manager
Tel.: +33 1 49 93 17 16, e-mail: [email protected]
Six Degrees
Andrew Bartlett, Tel.: +44 118 900 0860, e-mail: [email protected]
French | West | Vaughan
Rachel Hollar, Tel.: +1-919-277-1169, e-mail: [email protected]
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