Hitachi’s intercity battery train - with Turntide Technology battery systems - 802B

[Nottingham59]

This thread is to discuss news and developments of the Hitachi battery intercity train for the UK market, which I understand is being developed by replacing one diesel pack on an 802. So I suggest we call it the 802B, until we get a more official name.

Here is the Turntide press release ...

Hitachi Rail Names Turntide Technologies Preferred Supplier of Traction Battery Systems for UK Trial - Turntide Technologies

Gateshead, England, May 24, 2023 – Turntide Technologies (“Turntide”), developer of breakthrough electrification and sustainable operations technologies, has been named the preferred supplier for the design and supply of traction battery systems for Hitachi’s intercity battery train trial. The...

turntide.com

These trains can switch seamlessly between diesel power, overhead electric power, or battery power. They can run on battery power alone, effectively bridging between electrified stretches of track or when entering/existing stations.

... and case study (pdf)

Hitachi Rail Case Study - Turntide Technologies

As the UK moves closer to its 2050 net zero target, the need to decarbonise the country’s transport network is ever more pressing. Reducing rail emissions and supporting net zero has long been a priority for Hitachi Rail. Cutting-edge battery technology represents one of the ways Hitachi Rail...

turntide.com

Solution design The partnership produced a high-performance rail application battery pack of 16 batteries with nominal system voltage over 2500V, designed to last four years on arduous routes or up to 15 years on lighter routes. This modular solution is ideal for retrofitting existing trains and avoiding extensive reengineering or rebuilding of the entire train.

The modular design of the battery technology is ideal for retrofits of existing trains and can be used to replace diesel engines without reengineering or rebuilding them. This means minimal disruption to service since trains can be updated and returned to service quickly.

The battery will enable the train to run up to 90km on battery power and to recharge via overhead wires while in motion. The hybrid trains can enter and leave stations in battery mode, reducing diesel emissions and providing a quieter environment with improved air quality.

This is what @Bald Rick has to say about it on another thread.

AIUI, the battery on the 802 trial is going to be more than 1MWh, but I’m happy to be corrected

Railway Gazette article:

Battery powered inter-city train under development

UK: Hitachi Rail is working with Turntide Technologies to design and manufacture traction battery systems for trial installation on an inter-city trainset. Turntide said installing traction batteries to make a Hitachi electro-diesel trainset into a tri-mode unit could cut fuel usage and reduce...

www.railwaygazette.com

UK: Hitachi Rail is working with Turntide Technologies to design and manufacture traction battery systems for trial installation on an inter-city trainset.

Turntide said installing traction batteries to make a Hitachi electro-diesel trainset into a tri-mode unit could cut fuel usage and reduce carbon emissions by at least 20%, with battery power used in stations and as a ‘much faster, more affordable’ alternative to installing overhead lines on non-electrified routes.

 

[RobShipway]

You have to start somewhere to cut fuel usage, whether you replace the fuel in some way as per the thread I created today in the speculation area https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-to-use-bio-or-hvo-fuels.251502/#post-6312419 or replacing the diesel power with other means. If that means you start by replacing a diesel engine from one of the three coaches in a 5-car class 802 or one of the 5 car diesel engines in a 9 car class 802, then so be it. It is good that Hitachi are looking at the alternatives.

 

[D365]

You have to start somewhere to cut fuel usage, whether you replace the fuel in some way as per the thread I created today…

How does replacing one fuel type with another reduce fuel usage?