Where we’re going we don’t need wires – Edgbaston
Ian Walmsley
Pan Up
The tests on the first battery-fitted tram for commercial service in the UK have just been completed on the Midland Metro. Fresh back from Zaragoza, tram No 18 now sports a lithium battery power pack on the roof of the driving vehicles storing up to 40kWh. In tests that was enough to take it 29.12km, with battery charge level going from 95% down to 10%. Keeping charge level in the mid-band is important for battery life, which is forecast to be seven years in this application.
WOT? NO WIRES?
While it is OK in most of Europe, indeed the world, to hang catenary wires off civic buildings, the beauties of Birmingham shall not be so defiled. Obviously it is more efficient to run a wire directly to your tram or train, but some people think wires are unattractive and although they last a long time, they are expensive to put up. To me, just like jet noise is the sound of freedom, catenary is a mark of civilisation (except Great Western style). But in this case all the factors supporting battery operation are there: short distance, low speed and difficult wiring locations.
The really important thing is not to get carried away; don’t expect mirac…
