On board the 25 new Capricorn trains that form the RhB world-record train is main partner ABB, which is making a major contribution to a more sustainable future with its expertise in electric rail transport. 

As most people know, Switzerland is celebrating 175 years of Swiss railways this year. This has a lot to do with pioneering spirit because without innovative Swiss companies and their technologies, no trains would operate today. Even today, it is no different. The RhB world record attempt comes at a time when the debate about energy supply and sustainable mobility is very much on the table. With energy-efficient technologies, ABB helps its customers become more sustainable and reduce their emissions. Renewable energy and electric rail transport, which per se has one of the best eco-balances in the mobility sector, play an important role here.

On the road together for over 100 years

The partnership between ABB and RhB is not entirely new. Back in 1913, what was then BBC supplied the first locomotives for the Albula Line and played a major role in the subsequent electrification of the RhB network. “The world record attempt is a challenge for man and machine and allows ABB to explore the technological limits of sustainable mobility,” says Edgar Keller, Head of ABB Traction. “We are delighted that our key technology is driving trains and that we are able to offer rail transport a global platform as an important contribution to a sustainable future.”

Significant energy savings

Traction converters from ABB ensure energy-efficient operation of the world-record train. They always control the traction motors with the required frequency and voltage. “When the train goes downhill, these traction converters guarantee the maximum return of braking energy to the grid. This process is also known as recuperation, which means the train becomes a power station,” explains Edgar Keller.

The traction converters are manufactured at the ABB plant in Turgi/Untersiggenthal in Aargau. Two each of these traction converters are installed under the floor, i.e. underneath the railcar of the train composition. They supply the traction motors of the four drive wheel axles with a maximum output of 1,600 kilowatts. “Our traction converter solutions are already driving other RhB trains. We have fundamentally advanced them in recent years. Thanks to state-of-the-art semiconductor technology, the new Capricorn fleet will save around 900 MWh per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of around 200 four-person Swiss households,” says Edgar Keller.

Electricity from 100% hydropower

ABB technology not only contributes to efficient and safe operation inside the train, but also in the upstream energy chain until the electricity starts moving the train effectively. RhB is systematically reducing its ecological footprint by using energy generated entirely from hydropower with its Graubünden energy partner Repower. The necessary infrastructure is in turn equipped with key technologies from ABB. Drive and electrification solutions as well as process control systems ensure a sustainable and reliable supply of electrical energy – from turbines to locomotives.

Remarkably efficient: rail transport 

• Anyone who talks about energy-efficient transport today immediately thinks of electric or hybrid vehicles.
• Only rarely do we talk about public transport or mass transport. Electric railways have been in use for over 100 years and are one of our most efficient means of transport. Even trains powered by fossil fuels are still much more energy-efficient than cars or trucks.
• In fact, only 3% of the world’s energy consumption is accounted for by rail, which accounts for 9% of world passenger transport and 7% of goods railway transport.
• Rail vehicles are very energy efficient for a number of reasons: on the one hand, due to the highly efficient drive train and the very low rolling resistance of metal wheels on metal rails, and, on the other, due to the large quantities of people and goods they can transport.
• Railways are on average 12 times more efficient than cars (per passenger-kilometre) and eight times more efficient than trucks (per tonne of freight)