Back-up power for the control and safety systems on the 800 twin-section WAG12 Prima T8 electric locomotive which Alstom is building for Indian Railways will be provided by batteries which Saft is supplying under its largest-ever order in the rail sector.
Saft has increased the scope of its Indian production capabilities from assembly to full design, manufacturing and support to enable it to play a part in the government’s Make in India programme.
The nickel-technology SRM+ cells for the Prima T8 locomotives will be manufactured and supported from a factory in Bibadi near Bangalore, which was established in 2013 and has previously supplied Alstom with batteries for Chennai and Lucknow metro projects.
‘Quality, safety, reliability and the manufacturing capabilities of Saft India were central to Alstom’s selection of Saft SRM+ batteries’, according to Milan Sima, Rail & Mobility General Manager at Saft. ‘We are proud to demonstrate that we have become a full local supplier and a strong force for all the major manufacturers in the Indian market.’
“It’s no surprise that our batteries are used in three-quarters of all metro systems, more than 100 rail networks and in Formula One race cars,” said Milan Sima.
“Saft works with leading transport operators around the world including Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and CRRC, to ensure they can provide a safe, reliable service and meet increasingly stringent emissions targets. We have been able to develop cutting-edge solutions by drawing on our work in the defense sector with very high-power capacity cells to deliver customized solutions wherever they are needed,” he added.
“Our high-performance batteries are increasingly being incorporated into the design of hybrid and fully-electric marine vessels, while our Ion’Drive® Motive 24 V battery range brings high performance to hybrid vehicles such as mining and farm trucks. Our technology is also used in electrified ground-support equipment in airports and seaports as part of efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and noise, said Milan Sima, adding that “High-performance and low-maintenance – our rail batteries need no maintenance for 5-10 years – our long-life batteries can operate at temperatures as low as -50°C, and boast a low total cost of ownership”.