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Hitachi Rail's regional battery train (AT200)
Jul 06, 2020 07:30 BST
Hitachi Rail and Hyperdrive agreementopens way for battery trains acrossBritain
Hitachi Rail and Hyperdrive agreement opens way for battery trains acrossBritain
Hitachi Rail and Hyperdrive Innovation have signed an exclusive agreementto develop battery packs to power zero-emission trains and create a batteryhub in the North East.
The two North East manufacturers will now accelerate the creation ofbatteries that can be mass-produced to provide emission-free power forhundreds of battery trains across the UK.
With almost two-thirds (58%) of the UK’s 20,000 mile rail network notelectrified and with the Government setting ambitious decarbonisationtargets, Hitachi Rail analysis estimates the potential market for Hyperdriveand Hitachi’s battery technology is over 400 trains.
This agreement is an important step towards manufacturing batteries atHyperdrive’s HYVE facility in Sunderland, and then installing them just 20miles away at Hitachi Rail’s train-building factory in Newton Aycliffe, CountyDurham.
Hitachi has identified its fleets of 275 trains as potential early recipients ofthe batteries for use in the UK, as well as installing them on new metro andintercity trains that will be needed in the coming years to replace ageingdiesel fleets.
Battery trains produce no greenhouse gases, air pollution and are a farquieter, offering passengers cleaner air in stations, less noise disruption and acarbon-free way to travel. Installing batteries on to existing fleets can alsoextend their range and allow passengers to reach stations on non-electrifiedbranch lines without having to change train.
A widespread adoption of battery train technology could be a major boost forindustry in the UK, creating a market for Hyperdrive to increase itsmanufacturing capability up to 30,000 battery packs per year and double thenumber of jobs at its Sunderland factory.
Development of the UK’s first independent battery pack manufacturingfacility will drive costs down and for the first time offer domestic productionof batteries for rail, automotive, construction and energy sectors.
This agreement is an example of a global company investing in one of its keymarkets and incubating local technology. It is a means of sharing of skills,resources and knowledge that will create battery packs that are best in classand help to position the North East as hub for battery technology –supporting the Government’s levelling-up agenda.
Andrew Barr, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said: “Battery trains can play a vital rolein improving the air we breathe, tackling climate change and providingmodern, high performing rail service – all things we know passengers wantto see.
“The partnership with Hyperdrive creates shovel-ready opportunity for newbattery trains to be ordered now. As well as new trains, this is also a windowof opportunity to cut carbon and supercharge a green recovery in the NorthEast and across the UK.”
Chris Pennison, CEO, Hyperdrive said: “We’re delighted to bring our expertiseand experience as a trusted electrification partner to a new industry, assistingan innovative organisation like Hitachi, as it modernises and decarbonises UKrail networks.
“Our partnership with Hitachi will secure major investment and jobs in theNorth East, reinforcing the UK’s battery supply chain and keeping the countryon track to reach net-zero by 2050.”
“To date, only 42% of UK railways are electrified, with British trains using 469million litres of diesel each year, emitting over 2.4 million tonnes CO2annually. The partnership underpins the vision that the rail industry can be amajor contributor to the UK government’s target of net zero emissions by2050 and strengthens the case for home-grown innovation to be at theforefront of the UK’s clean growth strategy.”
Business and Industry Minister, Nadhim Zahawi said: “It’s fantastic to see twoinnovative companies joining forces to create good quality manufacturingjobs across the North East.
“An emission-free public transport system is vital if we’re to build a stronger,greener economic recovery that spreads prosperity and opportunity acrossthe UK.”
Hitachi Rail battery train video can be viewed via – https://bit.ly/2C6zJg0
Hitachi Rail battery train images can be downloaded via –https://bit.ly/3irr74E
Notes to Editor
• Hitachi has extensive battery train experience across the world.In 2016, Hitachi introduced one of the world’s first regionalbattery trains in Japan. The Dencha currently carries passengerson two routes in Japan, with a wire-free range of 50km.
• In 2007, Hitachi Rail fitted a hybrid test train – known as a Class43 HST – with batteries and ran over 100,000 km. The ‘Haybusa’train produced no emissions out of stations and provided a 15%fuel saving.
• Cost and weight reduction of batteries continues to accelerate,while power density increases. The ease of integration on trainsmeans the range and recharging of battery trains will onlyimprove and meet the demands of different profiles of railjourneys.
• Regional battery trains produce zero tailpipe emission andcompatible with existing rail infrastructure so they cancomplement future electrification. At the moment, battery trainshave approximately 50% lower lifecycle costs than hydrogentrains, making battery the cheapest and cleanest alternativezero-emission traction solution for trains.
• Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),Hitachi Rail and Hyperdrive have agreed to jointly develop abattery pack that can be installed and power a battery train. TheMoU also acts a roadmap to a manufacturing agreement thatwould cover future orders for battery trains.
• Hyperdrive Innovation has been the successful recipient ofAdvanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and Innovate UK funding. In2016 Hyperdrive completed a £19m High Energy Density Battery(HEDB) Project in collaboration with Nissan and the APC.
About Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of railsolutions across rolling stock, signalling, service & maintenance, digitaltechnology and turnkey solutions. With a presence in 38 countries across
three continents and over 12,000 employees, our mission is to contribute tosociety through the continuous development of superior rail transportsolutions. We are proud of our global achievements, from our world famous‘bullet trains’, to our signalling solutions and turnkey projects, state-ofthe-arttraffic management and digital solutions. Drawing on the wider HitachiGroup’s market-leading technology and research-and-developmentcapabilities, we strive for industry leading innovations and solutions that candeliver value for customers and sustainable railway systems that benefitwider society. For information about Hitachi Rail, visit www.hitachirail.com.
About Hyperdrive Innovation: Founded in 2012, Hyperdrive Innovationdesigns and manufactures lithium-ion battery systems for powering off-highway and material handling vehicles as well as stationary and portableenergy storage systems. Customers include JCB, Northern Powergrid and theworld’s largest online grocery retailer.
Based in Sunderland, UK, where it employs more than 40 people, Hyperdrivehas secured a global Supply Agreement to incorporate automotive qualitylithium-ion cells into its high-performance battery systems.
Hyperdrive has been named in the top 40 of the Sunday Times Hiscox TechTrack 100 list as one of the fastest growing British tech firms. The companyhas also received numerous awards in recognition for its technologyincluding the Automotive Award at Insider Media’s Made in the UK Awards2019 and shortlisted for Innovation of the Year in the National TechnologyAwards.
In July 2019 Hyperdrive opened HYVE, the UK’s leading independent batterypack manufacturing facility, which can produce up to 30,000 packs per year.The expansion means that Hyperdrive has the largest dedicated batterymanufacturing facility in the UK, outside major OEMs.
Contacts
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