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Forsee Power and Wabtec Integrate Locomotive Battery Platforms
Forsee Power partners with Wabtec to integrate advanced PULSE PLUS RAIL battery systems into battery-electric locomotive and mining platforms.
www.forseepower.com
Forsee Power and Wabtec have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on integrating advanced battery systems into battery-electric locomotive platforms. The partnership focuses on accelerating the deployment of Forsee Power's PULSE PLUS RAIL battery systems within Wabtec’s heavy-transport vehicle architectures.
Context of the Cooperation
The freight and transit rail industries face significant operational and environmental challenges, driving a shift toward sustainable electromobility and locomotive electrification. Developing high-power, durable energy storage systems that operate reliably under extreme duty cycles presents substantial engineering and safety complexities.
To address these demands, cooperation was required to combine complementary industrial specialties. Wabtec contributes extensive vehicle infrastructure and field experience as a global supplier of freight locomotives and powertrains. Forsee Power provides dedicated rail research and development expertise, product engineering, and global aftersales support. Additionally, Forsee Power's manufacturing footprint in Ohio provides an industrial setup that enables compliance with Buy America regulatory requirements.
Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The technical solution centers on integrating the PULSE PLUS RAIL battery system into Wabtec’s heavy vehicle platforms. Responsibilities are divided between the partners to align energy storage chemistry with vehicle powertrain engineering:
- Forsee Power is responsible for delivering the PULSE PLUS RAIL battery system, which is built on Toshiba’s latest-generation Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) cells.
- Wabtec is responsible for integrating these systems into its locomotive architectures and leveraging its powertrain expertise to adapt the solution for specialized industrial machinery.
At a system level, the battery solution functions by delivering a high-power output across a wide voltage range of up to 1500 VDC, supporting both standard operations and fast-charging capabilities. The system features an advanced liquid thermal management architecture to maintain operational stability and extend battery service life up to 20 years, even when subjected to extreme temperatures and demanding duty cycles.
To maximize vehicle availability and operational efficiency, the architecture integrates advanced digital monitoring features. For physical safety and servicing, the mechanical layout is built for maintainability, featuring easy access to electronic and electromechanical components alongside full Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) electrical isolation for maintenance personnel.
The system architecture is engineered to meet a broad range of stringent international rail and industrial standards, including:
To maximize vehicle availability and operational efficiency, the architecture integrates advanced digital monitoring features. For physical safety and servicing, the mechanical layout is built for maintainability, featuring easy access to electronic and electromechanical components alongside full Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) electrical isolation for maintenance personnel.
The system architecture is engineered to meet a broad range of stringent international rail and industrial standards, including:
- Safety & Performance Certification: IEC 62-928, IEC 62-619, IEC 62-620, and EN 50-126.
- Environmental & Compliance Standards: IEC 61 373, EN 45-545, IEC 60-077, UN38.3, EN 15 085, and EN 17-460.
Deployment or Implementation
The implementation program focuses on deploying these high-power energy storage systems across freight and passenger rail applications. Initial development phases will validate the performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership parameters of the PULSE PLUS RAIL battery system within Wabtec's existing locomotive lines.
Beyond transit and freight rail infrastructure, the unified electrical architecture creates deployment opportunities within large-scale mining truck applications—a strategic heavy-vehicle market where Wabtec maintains an established powertrain development footprint.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
The implementation program focuses on deploying these high-power energy storage systems across freight and passenger rail applications. Initial development phases will validate the performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership parameters of the PULSE PLUS RAIL battery system within Wabtec's existing locomotive lines.
Beyond transit and freight rail infrastructure, the unified electrical architecture creates deployment opportunities within large-scale mining truck applications—a strategic heavy-vehicle market where Wabtec maintains an established powertrain development footprint.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
