On 8 April 2022, a Stadler Flirt3 BEMU2 SH electric train with an alternative battery drive technology arrived to the VUZ Test Centre in Velim.  

The technical solution of the electric unit manufactured by Stadler (Switzerland) is based on the well-proven concept of the 3^rd generation low-floor Flirt3 units that are mostly used on suburban and regional routes. BEMU2 refers to a two-car bimodal unit that is – next to the option to drive the train through the German railway electrification system using alternating current 15kV/16⅔Hz – powered by batteries.

„Over the last five years, the number of the bimodal-drive projects tested at the VUZ Velim Test Centre has been growing gradually and more projects are being prepared in the medium-term perspective. It is obvious the development of battery-driven units has entered a phase when it is becoming interesting to railway operators both from the financial and operational point of view. In the context of the Europe-wide energy supply situation, the discussion on alternative resources has been switching from the theoretical to the implementation phase and transforming into concrete orders placed by operators. Within a medium-term period, we can expect operators to look for bimodal drive options for most vehicle concepts approved in the past and hydrogen-power to be accentuated strongly. From the economic point of view, a key role will be played by the drive efficiency and the overall distance range of vehicles,” said Martin Bělčík, Chairman of the Board and General Director, Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s.

The technical solution of Flirt3 BEMU2 SH is characteristic by the position of the batteries: one battery set is mounted under the floor, while two other sets are mounted on the roof of the train. The batteries are placed in special containers that provide protection against fire and allow easy replacement. They are recharged either via the overhead line (15kV/16⅔ Hz system, when the train is running), from 1 kV heating coupling (for example when the train is standing at the yard overnight) or through a 3×400 V supply. Charging via the overhead line is the fastest, while the last is the slowest one of the three options mentioned above.

The maximum speed of the units to be tested is 160 km/h and up to 4 units can be operated in multiple operation.

 

Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. – the European leader in railway testing and certification

Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. (VUZ) is a company specialized in providing professional services and complex solutions in the field of assessment, certification and testing of rolling stock, railway systems and railway transport.

Our customers are manufacturers of rolling stock and railway system and railway transport components, railway infrastructure owners, railway and railway transport operators, state authorities and institutions seated both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

 

Prague, 8 April 2022

 

Contact person:

Mgr. Radka Pretlová, Marketing and communication, pretlovar@cdvuz.cz,  +420 702 235 463