On May 5, 2016, NEWAG S.A. signed a contract with Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju (NCBiR– National Centre for Research and Development) under which NCBiR will co-finance a project implemented by NEWAG S.A. called “ The first worldwide family of autonomous, configurable bi-modal rail vehicles for servicing cross-region, regional and urban passenger transport compliant with Technical Specifications of Interoperability TSI.”
The maximum amount of the co– financing from NCBiR will be PLN 15,415,421.34 whereas the total project cost will be PLN 38,538,553.35.
The hybrid vehicle to be manufactured by NEWAG S.A. will consist of a tree-unit electric multiple unit powered by a 3 kV DC classic power system from the overhead line as well as a power module connected with a Scharfenberg coupler. The coupled module will be fitted with motors powering the generator set. The power generated by the generator set will be sent to the EMU and will power traction motors mounted on power bogies. Depending on the client’s needs, the diesel power module will be fitted with a driver’s cab and an auxiliary driver’s console at the rear end or only with auxiliary driver’s consoles. The power module with the driver’s cab will provide full functionality in driving the configurable rail vehicle in passenger transport, thus enabling to operate the vehicle on reversible routes without the need to switch the power module at terminal stations.
An additional advantage of the autonomous power module as compared with a typical hybrid solution– EDMU where a power module constitutes a part of the rail vehicle will be reduced mass, which will have an impact on cutting operating costs. The vehicle will feature a modern electric power system and a control system optimizing energy consumption, a power recuperating and storage system to store and reuse the power generated while braking for further operations.
Depending on a specification needed by the operator, the configurable rail vehicle will have seating capacity of approx. 170, whereas its standing capacity will be 160. The power module static strength will be PII category according to EN-PN 12663 and it will meet C1 crash scenario according to EN-PN 15227.
The vehicle will comply with TSI LOC&PAS, TSI NOI, TSI SRT, TSI PRM and TSI CCS.
The deadline for the project implementation is 30.04.2018.