IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - 16

By Luigi Pastena

A CatenaryFree
Electrification
for Urban
Transport
An overview of the tramwave system.
©CAN STOCK PHOTO/FOTOMAK

HE INTEGRATION OF ELECTRIFIED MASS
transit systems in urban areas is normally
a very complex task. In addition to the
issues related to the space required for
tracks, the use of electrical contact lines
(catenary or active rails) introduces further safety-related
constraints to the conception of urban transit systems.
For that reason, catenary systems are often preferred
despite their obvious visual impact. When active-rail
systems are chosen, dedicated corridors must be constructed for mass transit to ensure that no other vehicle
or person can be in contact with the electrified rail,
involving more space usage. Due to the specific characteristics of urban transport, the research of new concepts
for catenary-free power supply systems has been very
active in the last decades.

T

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MELE.2014.2333791
Date of publication: 29 September 2014

16

I E E E E l e c t r i f i cati o n M agaz ine / SepTember 2014

In February 2008, Ansaldo Breda and Ansaldo STS started
a joint project with the objective of developing and commercializing an innovative product for tram systems called
Tramwave (patented by Ansaldo STS), which allows for a catenary-free power supply by means of current collection from
the ground. The City of Naples, Italy, authorized the construction of a power supply demonstrator for trams of the existing
SIRIO fleet, manufactured by Ansaldo Breda and operated by
ANM (the Napolitan Mobility Company), with the new contact line using this new technology. The new contact line was
added to the existing catenary-based system already in
place. Tables 1 and 2 show the characteristics of the trams
and the test section, respectively. The onboard power system
of a SIRIO tram was modified to enable the collection of
energy from the ground. In addition, the vehicle was also
equipped with all of the systems necessary for switching the
power supply from the overhead line to the new contact line
and back. The power supply of the contact line on the
ground was taken from the existing overhead supply
by means of a large electrical cabinet also containing the
2325-5987/14©2014IEEE



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014

IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - Cover1
IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - Cover2
IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - 1
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IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - Cover3
IEEE Electrification Magazine - September 2014 - Cover4
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