SiC Semiconductor Trial on Siemens Mobility Avenio Tram Successfully Concludes in Munich

Siemens Mobility and Stadtwerke München have presented the results of a one-year test trialling silicone carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology in an Avenio tram.

During the test phase, the vehicle travelled 65,000km. The test, a joint research project conducted as part of the European development and research programme PINTA, concluded in August.

Evaluating the test data, Siemens Mobility and Stadtwerke München found that vehicle motor noise fell significantly and that energy use dropped by ten percent.

Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility, said:

“We would like to thank Stadtwerke München for the good partnership we had during the tests of SiC semiconductor technology in an Avenio München.

“The energy-saving potential found by the test clearly demonstrates the energy efficiency of this promising technology that is designed for use in all types of trains.”

Infineon Technologies is the manufacturer of the semiconductor technology. During the test, this technology was fitted on one of two traction converters in a three-car Avenio tram. The test phase included all the development tests needed to obtain authorisation for the use of this technology in passenger service.

Ingo Wortmann, Head of Mobility at Stadtwerke München (SWM), said:

“One factor plays a key role in the acceptance of trams – particularly in terms of new construction projects: Our vehicles must be as quiet as possible while in service. The project conducted with Siemens shows that we can not only optimise the noise levels of our vehicles but also improve our energy efficiency. We would be very interested in this solution if these improvements could be commercially mass-produced.”

PINTA sits within the European Shift2Rail initiative. Two project phases have now been completed: the initial planning phase, and the successful vehicle test. There is one final project phase still outstanding. It will focus on optimising the system by using the SiC in dual-system trams (tram-trains).

PINTA has received funding from the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No. 826054. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the Shift2Rail JU members other than the Union.

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