Underfloor batteries tested on TransPennine Express Class 802

A new UK-made underground battery has been tested on a TransPennine Express Class 802 unit.

The government is investing 50:50 in a £1.4m technology project that could be ideal for inter-city, regional and commuter routes.

The idea is to develop batteries that are small enough to fit under the floor of trains, which has been a major obstacle to large-scale introduction until now.

Hitachi Rail UK is targeting global export markets in partnership with government-backed agency Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham and German consultancy DB ESG.

Hitachi said in a statement on Sept. 19 that it is “supporting British innovation and skills” to produce a new battery pack that is 40% smaller but more than a fifth more powerful than what is currently available.

Battery trials have been carried out on a TransPennine Express Class 802 unit to assess performance and measure emissions reduction, with the aim of reducing operating costs by up to 30%. However, at six tonnes the equipment is considered too cumbersome for practical day-to-day use.

The consortium foresees broad application in regional services, where a smaller battery is needed to be placed under the train floors (currently a problem due to platform height).

Other issues that need to be addressed include overall weight, the ability to modify existing trainsets to make them compatible with the rest of the train’s electrical system, ease of maintenance, elimination of fire risks and cooling capacity.

The new battery is manufactured by Turntide Technologies and is of the LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) type. The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) contribution is to include the use of simulators to validate performance on representative UK routes.