Battery Powered Trams

[nottinghamcity]

I noticed this in "Rail Engineer "
http://www.railengineer.uk/2015/11/24/battery-powered-tram-record/

Seems that it would need specific stock to use on an existing network, but maybe an option for short extensions to existing lines.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Good article. I personally think the overhead wires are far too costly and prevent new tramways being built in smaller towns due to cost. Parry People Movers have an alternative idea using flywheel energy storage for moving trams without wires for new lines or extensions and I'll recommend you research their page too.

 

[WatcherZero]

False economy, overhead wires aren't particularly expensive compared to embedded track and the cost of regularly replacing batteries is huge, they cant even afford to replace the batteries the new routemasters are burning through in London so nearly half are running around with fewer or even none installed.

 

[LexyBoy]

That was my thought - I don't know the figures but installing the OLE can't be that costly compared to the prolonged roadworks necessary for the track.

It's interesting to note that some cities use ground level supply only on central sections, with OLE elsewhere. I don't know whether this is down to cost of installation (which would presumably be mitigated by being carried out along with track installation), or reliability.

Also, one of the benefits of trams is their light weight which would suffer in a "self-powered" version, whether that's battery or internal combustion. These would also have higher maintenance requirements.

 

[jopsuk]

ground level supply is more expensive and less reliable than OLE. It's used only where OLE would be instrusive.

As for Parry, it's worth noting that the company has been around for years, somehow, despite having sold two units

 

[WatcherZero]

Parry are more old school engineering workshop, tinkering away on an idea rather than end to end setting out just to design and market a single product. its a sideline to them compared to other things like building materials and 3rd world engineering solutions and they did other people mover/rides before the two rail units.

 

[edwin_m]

It's interesting to note that some cities use ground level supply only on central sections, with OLE elsewhere. I don't know whether this is down to cost of installation (which would presumably be mitigated by being carried out along with track installation), or reliability.

I think it's cost, not only of installation but also of operation, and also operating constraints. As far as I'm aware none of the ground contact systems works above 50km/h or allows for regenerative braking. There is a potential reliability issue that any failure of the numerous moving parts could leave a short section of rail permanently dead, and for this reason the trams on these networks also carry batteries that can move them a few hundred metres if necessary.

There are other tram networks that have no power supply whatever on short visually sensitive sections, where the trams have to run on battery.

 

[duncanp]

The tramway in Bordeaux, France uses a surface contact system whereby there is a conductor rail, but it only becomes live when a tram passes over it.

It is called Alimentation Par Sol or APS for short.

Do a search in Google for "The Bordeaux tramway and APS" for a detailed explanation.

 

[jopsuk]

Yes, the Bordeaux system is an example of the dual-use approach- it uses APS in the historic city centre (which is almost all street running) and overheads on the outer sections (where there's a lot of separate infrastructure and higher speeds are useful)

 

[edwin_m]

I believe the newish tram route in Dubai is the only one that is powered by APS over its entire length.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Tram

 

[jopsuk]

Dubai though is not the sort of place that makes sanity-based spending decisions!

 

[edwin_m]

Dubai though is not the sort of place that makes sanity-based spending decisions!

You may well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

 

[jopsuk]

A tram route fully using APS when there's no need to, with air conditioned tram stops (with platforms edge doors) and first class sections.

 

[Busaholic]

I believe both Nice and Seville have sections without overhead lines.

 

[simple simon]

Dubai is a very hot weather climate and air conditioned tram stops make the wait much more tolerable.

It does use overhead wire - but only in the depot!

Nice has a short battery section but wont be making the same mistake for its next tram lines. Seville uses capacitors which are recharged at tram stops. This is what Nice will do on its next tram lines too.

More information here:
http://citytransport.info/Trams02.htm

Simon

 

[JaJaWa]

Dubai is a very hot weather climate and air conditioned tram stops make the wait much more tolerable.

It does use overhead wire - but only in the depot!

Nice has a short battery section but wont be making the same mistake for its next tram lines. Seville uses capacitors which are recharged at tram stops. This is what Nice will do on its next tram lines too.

More information here:
http://citytransport.info/Trams02.htm

I took some photos of the super-capacitor powered trams in Guangzhou (CC licensed). You can see a short overhead power rail attached to the roof of each tram stop where the trams recharge, meaning that no OHLE is visible.

 

[simple simon]

I took some photos of the super-capacitor powered trams in Guangzhou (CC licensed). You can see a short overhead power rail attached to the roof of each tram stop where the trams recharge, meaning that no OHLE is visible.

Those are great pics. Apparently this is the first brand new tramway to use this power supply system. The Doha tramway in Qatar will use the same system.

Simon

 

[Busaholic]

Those are great pics. Apparently this is the first brand new tramway to use this power supply system. The Doha tramway in Qatar will use the same system.

Simon

Two countries where finance is always available for the right projects

 

[nottinghamcity]

Two countries where finance is always available for the right projects

The odd thing is when I last visited Qatar, back in the mid 2000s, the whole state was public transport free. There were a few yellow "school bus" type vehicles carrying crews of labourers around, but nothing for general public use. A pain if you were there for work. Now extensive bus networks, light rail, heavy rail, high speed rail all proposed or in delivery - what a change!

 

[Busaholic]

The odd thing is when I last visited Qatar, back in the mid 2000s, the whole state was public transport free. There were a few yellow "school bus" type vehicles carrying crews of labourers around, but nothing for general public use. A pain if you were there for work. Now extensive bus networks, light rail, heavy rail, high speed rail all proposed or in delivery - what a change!

Ir's amazing what soaring oil prices can do for a state (combined with a friendship with a certain Sepp). Wonder how many of these projects will fare now oil is under thirty dollars a barrel.

 

[mailbyrail]

Oranjestadt on the island of Aruba in the West Indies has installed a tramline powered entirely by batteries augmented by hydrogen power cells. No wires anywhere en route. The first car began service in 2012 and there's now a second car. Electricity for the batteries is from wind and solar, Aruba is aiming to be the world's first 100% green economy by 2020.
Details of the line and cars at http://www.tramz.com/aw/aw.html