ABB bags a contract worth US$170Mn to enhance Europe’s Railway Network

Zurich, Switzerland (Urban Transport News): ABB has been awarded from Stadler Valencia orders worth US$170 million to power more than 300 new trains and locomotives with highly energy-efficient traction technologies. They will be used in different European railway networks to modernize and reinforce train transportation in countries such as Spain, Portugal, UK, Germany or Austria, as well as in some European railway corridors. The majority of these orders have been booked in Q3, 2022. The scope of supply includes ABB’s traction converters and motors to power the trains.

A large part of the trains that will be powered by ABB technologies are based on Stadler’s tram-train CITYLINK model, a barrier-free light rail vehicle family specially designed to connect the city center with its metropolitan area without changing trains, providing a safe and highly comfortable ride. CITYLINK offers a versatile solution for rail operators, as they can be operated electrically on the tram network, as well as on mainline services, at speeds of up to 100 kmph. ABB technologies under these orders will also power locomotives for goods transportation.

All these different trains will be powered by traction systems that are part of ABB’s Bordline family. These systems convert the electrical energy from the overhead power line to the right voltage and frequency to drive the traction motors. The selected converters for CITYLINK will integrate all the power electronics – traction and auxiliary power – in one single box, minimizing vehicle weight, saving energy and easing maintenance. Bordline Compact Converters to be installed in locomotives will additionally be optimized to increase energy efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs.

Traction solutions from ABB are able to take into account the design specifics of the trains as well the operating environment including climate conditions and further requirements influencing the trains operating conditions providing high levels of efficiency to operators in different geographies.

“We are excited to be writing the future of sustainable mobility with these projects. Bringing our traction technologies to these new trains means bringing more energy efficiency, safety and availability for the train transportation system in Europe and the UK. We greatly appreciate Stadler’s ongoing trust in our technologies and expertise of the traction industry. We look forward to working with Stadler to design the trains of the future.” said Edgar Keller, President of ABB’s Traction Division.

ABB is a leading provider of innovative traction technologies for transportation, offering a full range of propulsion, auxiliary and battery energy storage solution for new vehicles as well as for retrofits. Operators benefit from customized traction solutions engineered for optimum overall performance, energy efficiency and minimized operating cost.