VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- EDTA Booth # 422 -- Saft's new design high power Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) integrated battery systems will provide traction power for Lohr Industrie's Translohr systems in some Italian cities. They will be the first hybrid tramways capable of switching their source of power between overhead catenaries and on-board batteries.

For most of its journey through each city, the guided tramway system, running on rubber tires, will draw power via an overhead catenary. However, for short runs of between 500 to 1000 m through the historic medieval city centers, where catenaries are not permitted, the vehicles will be powered by a 576 V Saft Ni-MH battery system developed to offer excellent power storage in a compact, maintenance-free package.

Traction batteries

Some cities required a hybrid tramway, which would be compatible with their unspoilt medieval centres. Therefore, Translohr needed an on-board traction battery capable of providing sufficient power for travel over distances of up to one km in areas where catenaries cannot be installed, while also being compact enough for installation in the vehicle roof.

For Translohr, Saft has developed a fully integrated battery system -- the new generation of NHP modules capable of providing 80 kWh of continuous power. Each battery system incorporates an active cooling device and battery management control (BMC) for monitoring of temperature, voltage and charging conditions. The whole unit is supplied ready to 'plug and play' in a custom- built tray complete with power and communication connectors and all necessary safety features.

Power backup

In addition to the traction batteries, Saft is also supplying 24 V on- board MATRICS MRX rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries to provide backup support for electrical systems such as doors and communications.

For more information about Translohr, visit http://www.lohr.fr/ About Saft

Saft is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industrial applications. Saft batteries are used in high- performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for industry and defense. The group is also a leader for specialized battery technologies for space and defense. Saft is present in 17 countries

and employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide. Its 16 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide.

For more information, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com/

CONTACT: Ginette Kergoat, Industrial Battery Group, +33 1 49 93 17 69,
or ginette.kergoat@saftbatteries.com, or Jill Ledger, Corporate Communications
and Institutional Relations Director, +33 1 49 93 17 77, or
jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com, or Patrick McDevitt, US Corporate
Communications Manager, +1-410-568-6432, or
patrick.mcdevitt@saftbatteries.com, all of Saft; or Paige Sargent of
French/West/Vaughan, +1-919-277-1162, or psargent@fwv-us.com, for Saft

Web site: http://www.saftbatteries.com/
http://www.lohr.fr/