primove light rail
Liberating trams from overhead lines
In many ways, light rail vehicles are the ultimate form of eMobility. Yet despite being clean, silent and convenient, they have always been hampered by one disadvantage – catenaries. Catenary power systems are complex to install, demanding to maintain and and clutter the urban space with unattractive infrastructure.
Thanks to PRIMOVE contactless charging, trams can now run without any need for unsightly poles and overhead cables. The energy source is moved underground and charges the vehicle via
inductive power transfer. It now becomes possible to integrate light rail systems into urban areas where conventional catenary networks are prohibited or unwelcome – such as city centres, parks, gardens and protected heritage sites. The cityscape is left untouched, minimising visual pollution and improving the overall appeal of the city.
Key benefits
System overview
Component features
Key benefits
Minimised visual pollution
- Elimination of wires and poles – all components are hidden under the vehicle and beneath the track
- Installation is possible even in previously unsuitable areas such as heritage-protected sites
Operational under all conditions
- Reliable even under adverse weather and ground conditions such as sand, snow or ice
- Compatible with all road surfaces or tracks
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Reduced infrastructure
- Less land take needed than for catenary systems
- Less maintenance: no wear of pantographs and overhead lines, no risk of vandalism
No compromise on performance
- Same great performance as with catenary systems
- Reduction of energy consumption by up to 30% when combined with an energy storage solution
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System overview
Because PRIMOVE is a contactless energy transfer solution, the system operates reliably under all circumstances – even in adverse ground conditions involving sand, snow or ice. Its liberation from the constraints of overhead cables also gives urban planners and public transport operators more freedom and flexibility in designing their transport solutions.
Beyond dispensing with overhead infrastructure, the PRIMOVE system also offers a whole range of further advantages. The technology is simple to install in both new and existing lines as the components easily fit between the rails. Initial investment and maintenance costs are lowered, making the overall system highly competitive and efficient. The charging system could even be made compatible with road vehicles, enabling the same underground infrastructure to be used for recharging multiple modes of public transport.
For even higher levels of efficiency and performance, PRIMOVE technology can be combined with an energy storage solution. When mounted on a light rail vehicle, this device stores the energy released when braking for later use. The system reduces energy consumption by up to 30%, lowering both electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Over short distances,PRIMOVE-equipped trams can also operate without having to recharge, further minimising infrastructure and installation costs.
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Component features
PRIMOVE wireless charging technology comprises two sets of components – wayside components that are buried underground and onboard components that are fitted onto the vehicle frame. Both sets are designed to enable maximum structural integration, as well as for energy transfer at high power and efficiency.
Wayside components
- Fully buried underground and can be covered with different materials like asphalt or concrete
- Primary cable segments provide the actual power transfer to the vehicle and are installed just under the road surface
- Magnetic shielding under the primary winding (magnetic layer) prevents electromagnetic interference
- The Vehicle Detection and PRIMOVE Segment Control (VDSC) cable senses when a PRIMOVE-equipped vehicle is above the segment and switches the segment on. Segments otherwise remain inactive to comply with electromagnetic interference protection requirements
- The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) interface provides information for system control and diagnostics
- Inverters convert the DC supply voltage to the AC voltage used in the system.
- DC feed cables supply power to the inverters
Onboard components
- The PRIMOVE Power Receiver System consists of the pick-up together with a compensation condenser, which are both installed underneath the vehicle. They convert the magnetic field from the primary winding into alternating current
- Inverters convert the alternating current from the pick-up into direct current that powers and charges the vehicle
- Energy storage solution
- The Vehicle Detection and PRIMOVE Segment Control (VDSC) antenna detects cable segments and coordinates the on/off switching