Saft to provide back-up battery systems for Lucknow metro

France-based batteries manufacturer Saft today said it has bagged a contract from Alstom India to supply back-up battery systems for 20 metropolis trainsets for Lucknow's metro project.
In 2015, Alstom was awarded a contract worth over 150 million euros by Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) to provide metro trainsets and a signalling solution for the new metro under which, Alstom will supply 20 metropolis trainsets, each with four metro cars.
"Saft's SRM+ battery systems will provide the vehicles with up to 90 minutes of onboard back-up power if the main power is interrupted. This will ensure continuity of operation for critical control and passenger safety functions such as door operation, lighting and communications," Saft said in a statement.

Each four-car unit will be fitted with a battery system based on Saft's SRM+ 135 nickel technology cells.
"The Lucknow Metro project further reinforces our global cooperation with Alstom on major rail projects. It also continues Saft's substantial penetration into India's metro sector that has already seen our batteries specified on rolling stock in cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai," said Saft General Manager India Guy Patrick de Broglie.
The battery systems were designed and engineered by Saft's team in Bordeaux, France where the SRM+ cells are manufactured. The battery systems are assembled by Amco Saft using battery boxes made locally in Bengaluru.

"The approach taken, with cells produced in France for local assembly into battery systems is an important step towards more substantial localisation of key elements of our rail projects in India," he added.
LMRC has ordered the vehicles for a new metro line, around 23 km long and including 22 stations. The 8 km first phase is scheduled to open in March 2017.