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Alstom unveils its new main-line train, the Coradia Liner V200

June 12, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Coradia Liner V200. Copyright: Alstom Transport / Design & Styling Courtesy of Alstom

Coradia Liner V200. Copyright: Alstom Transport / Design & Styling
Courtesy of Alstom

Today Alstom introduced the Coradia Liner V200, its latest, innovative main-line train, at the European Mobility Exhibition for Public Transport at the Parc des Expositions in Paris.

Designed to renew the pleasure of travelling on major European lines as well as to replace the Intercity rolling stock currently being used on French “Main lines”1, the Coradia Liner is a concentration of the technology created during of over 30 years’ experience in high-speed rail.

Electric or dual-mode (electric and thermal), equipped with ERTMS technology2 and consistent with European standards, the Coradia Liner can run on all conventional rail networks. It can reach speeds of 200 km/h and accommodate up to 900 passengers3.

The Coradia Liner meets operators’ needs in terms of performance and maintainability whilst offering travellers an unparalleled level of service and comfort. It is designed to be accessible to all thanks to the platform-height double doors and its low floor. The Coradia Liner is 100% consistent with STI PMR4 standards.

Particularly suitable for longer trips, it offers unprecedented comfort with its reclining seats equipped with electrical sockets and reading lights, and its service areas – children’s play area, restaurant/bar & hospitality areas. Particular attention has been paid to acoustic comfort. To improve the fluidity of movement on-board, the hospitality and travel areas are spacious, with wide corridors.

Also designed for operators, the Coradia Liner has a distributed traction system, over the entire train, providing outstanding acceleration and braking, allowing greater coverage of the national territory without increasing travel time. Being lighter, its consumption is 30% less than that of the current Corail and has become the national and European eco-mobility train. Its architecture makes for easy maintenance.

The Coradia Liner V200 design is based on the modular Coradia trains, with the ensuing benefits of over 30 years of operational experience in Europe: more than 3,000 Coradia are currently operating and have travelled more than 4 billion km in Germany (Coradia Lint and Continental), Denmark, Spain, France (Coradia Polyvalent and Coradia Duplex ZTER – 200Km/h), Italy (Coradia Meridian), Luxembourg (Coradia Duplex, the Netherlands (Coradia Lint), Portugal (Tagus Coradia DD) and Sweden (Coradia Duplex X40 – 200km/h).

Six of the eleven Alstom sites in France have participated in the Coradia Liner project: Reichshoffen for the design and assembly, Ornans for the motors, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction chains, Villeurbanne for the on-board computer system and Saint-Ouen for the design. This project has contributed to the perpetuation of more than 4000 jobs both within Alstom and across the French rail sector.

1 – “Main lines” such as Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) or Paris-Caen-Cherbourg. 2 – European Rail Traffic Management System 3 – With multiple units 4 – STI: Spécification Technique d’Interopérabilité/Technical Specification for Interoperability PMR: Personnes à Mobilité Réduite/Persons with reduced Mobility
About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, including rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers its customers all-inclusive solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.9 billion euros for 2013-2014. Alstom Transport is present in over sixty countries and employs approximately 26,700 people. Present on 11 sites in France, Alstom Transport is the leading French railway company and contributes to the vitality of local economies. Its approximately 8,900 employees in France provide a pool of expertise to serve French and international clients. A job at Alstom creates about three amongst its suppliers.

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over €20 billion and booked €21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14.

This article is a repost (6-11-14), credit: Alstom.

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Alstom signed its first export contract with Deepwater Wind in the US to supply the Haliade™ 150-6 MW, the world’s largest installed offshore wind turbine

March 29, 2014 in Environment, EV News, Greentech, Wind

Washington signing ceremony on February 10th 2014, with Amy Ericson, Alstom USA Country President and Jeffrey Grybowski, Deepwater CEO, in the presence of Arnaud Montebourg, French minister of economic recovery. Photo courtesy of Alstom

Washington signing ceremony on February 10th 2014, with Amy Ericson, Alstom USA Country President and Jeffrey Grybowski, Deepwater CEO, in the presence of Arnaud Montebourg, French minister of economic recovery.
Photo courtesy of Alstom

Alstom signed a contract to supply 5 offshore wind turbines for Deepwater Wind’s 30-MW Block Island pilot Wind Farm located off the coast of Rhode Island, USA, in the presence of Arnaud Montebourg, French minister of economic recovery; Amy Ericson, Country President Alstom USA and Jeffrey Grybowski, Deepwater CEO. The project, scheduled for commissioning in 2016, will be one of the first offshore wind farms in the U.S. and will be the world’s first to feature Alstom’s Haliade™ 150-6 MW – the largest turbine installed in offshore waters today. The five turbines will produce approximately 125,000 MWh of electricity a year, enough to power over 17,000 homes.

This project will be the first to support the exportation of offshore wind turbines from France and will leverage the French industrial base Alstom is developing. Indeed the wind turbines will be manufactured in the 2 Alstom’s factories in Saint-Nazaire (France) due for completion at the end of 2014 (nacelles and generators) and in Cherbourg (blades and towers), for which a building permit has been submitted. In total, these factories should create around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The contract scope includes the manufacturing of 5 Haliade™ 150-6 MW wind turbines and 15 years of operation and maintenance support for the Block Island Wind Farm owned and operated by Deepwater Wind1. The Haliade™ 150-6 MW wind turbine operates without any gearbox (using direct-drive), thanks to a permanent-magnet generator. The machine features Alstom’s Pure Torque® design which protects the generator by diverting unwanted mechanical stress towards the tower, thereby optimising performance and reliability. Its 150-metre diameter rotor provides an energy yield that is 15% better than existing offshore turbines, supporting the effort to drive down the cost of energy from offshore wind.

“This contract demonstrates our excellent commercial dynamic in offshore wind as well as the credibility of our technology platform. It shows that we can be successful in serving both the growing international markets and our strong domestic market here in France. It also allows us to concretely implement the various partnerships we have formed with local companies” said Jerome Pécresse Alstom’s Renewable Power Sector President.

Haliade™ 150-6MW offshore wind turbine in Belwind, Belgium. Copyright ©Alstom/ Broadcast Assistance Belgium / Johann Roggeman Courtesy of Alstom

Haliade™ 150-6MW offshore wind turbine in Belwind, Belgium. Copyright ©Alstom/ Broadcast Assistance Belgium / Johann Roggeman
Courtesy of Alstom

The Block Island project could lead to a larger utility-scale offshore wind farm of more than 1GW supported by a regional transmission system linking Long Island, New York and south-eastern New England. The project is aligned with The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind programme, which aims to accelerate the development of offshore wind along the eastern seaboard of the U.S.

This project represents an important technological step for the Haliade 150-6MW. Along with the installation of 2 wind turbines in Europe – the first onshore at le Carnet site (in the western region of France), and the other in Ostend, Belgium – this pilot farm in the U.S. will enable Alstom to develop its offshore technology to the point where it can launch serial production.

In France, Alstom will equip 3 wind farms (Courseulles-sur-Mer, Fécamp and Saint-Nazaire) won by EDF EN and its partners as a result of the first French call for tender offshore, and today participates with EDF to the second call for tender for Le Tréport wind farm and the two islands wind farm (Yeu-Noimoutier). In Germany KNK Wind (the project development company for Arcadis Ost 1) has chosen the Haliade™ 150-6MW in December 2013 in support of a building permit for a project to install 58 wind offshore turbines on an area of about 30 square kilometres in Baltic Sea.

This article is a repost (3-25-14), credit: Alstom.

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Alstom teams up with GDF Suez to equip the raz Blanchard tidal power pilot farm

September 30, 2013 in Environment, EV News, Greentech, Ocean / Tidal Energy

Ocean Tidal turbine installation in Orkney, Scotland Photo courtesy of Alstom

Ocean Tidal turbine installation in Orkney, Scotland
Photo courtesy of Alstom

Alstom and GDF Suez will prepare a common project to respond to the call for expressions of interest for pilot tidal farms announced today by the French President, François Hollande in Cherbourg. Jérôme Pécresse, Alstom’s Renewable Power President and Gérard Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez, signed a cooperation agreement concerning this, in the Lower Normandy Region in France.

As part of this cooperation, Alstom and GDF Suez will establish the various technical parameters to harness effectively the marine currents at the raz Blanchard site, where the pilot farms will be installed, near the port of Cherbourg coast. The partners will also propose an operation and maintenance strategy for the pilot farm, as well as a roadmap to maximise the positive socio-economic benefits of this new activity throughout the region and the country. This is an important step to support the development of larger commercial farms.

Alstom is successfully testing its 1 MW tidal turbine under EMEC[1] waters, off Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The turbine has reached the full nominal power of 1 MW, generating over 10 MWh of electricity on the grid. Trials performed in pilot farms will test the performance of the turbine under real operating conditions.

Alstom will also sign an agreement today with Ports Normands Associés (PNA) which could allow the Group to perform the final assembly of the turbines, the erection of the foundations and all maintenance operations from Cherbourg, if it is awarded the raz Blanchard pilot farms. The port offers many benefits, including, in particular, a development plan covering 40 hectares for infrastructure devoted to tidal power, as well as the proximity of the raz Blanchard site and the British coastline, which represents a substantial potential market.

Signing this agreement will bolster the port’s’ development strategy in marine energy” said Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Lower Normandy Region, and of the Council of the Mixed Ports Association of Caen-Ouistreham and Cherbourg (PNA).

We are pleased to team up with GDF Suez for the development of  the raz Blanchard tidal power pilot farm. We will provide a reliable, environmentally-friendly and efficient technology which will help to deliver power at an optimal cost. Moreover, signing today  an agreement with PNA to reserve spaces on the port of Cherbourg, we could thus be in a position to develop synergies with our two future offshore wind plants ” declared Jérôme Pécresse, Alstom’s Renewable Power President.

This article is a repost, credit: Alstom.

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Alstom Shares Lessons in Offshore Wind with Southeastern States

September 29, 2013 in Environment, EV News, Greentech, Wind

Offshore wind turbine Haliade 150 6MW, photo courtesy of Alstom

Offshore wind turbine Haliade 150 6MW, photo courtesy of Alstom

(9-25-13)  Alstom

Last week, the head of Alstom’s global offshore wind technology platform joined representatives from the American wind power industry to discuss the latest technologies, policies and developments related to offshore and onshore wind projects in the Southeastern United States. The two day Southeastern Coastal Wind Conference held on 11-12 September focused on the potential wind energy development throughout the region, with particular emphasis on offshore wind opportunities along the eastern seaboard from Virginia to Florida.

Alstom's Offshore Wind Platform Director, Daniel Castell Photo courtesy of Alstom

Alstom’s Offshore Wind Platform Director, Daniel Castell
Photo courtesy of Alstom

Key themes showcased during the event included:

  • Permitting and regulatory issues
  • Existing supply chain and infrastructure in the region
  • Environmental policies
  • Lessons from European projects
  • Manufacturing and job creation

Alstom’s Global Perspective

While the conference highlighted the wind industry in the southeastern U.S., speakers also talked about European projects, such as France’s current effort to build 1.4GW of offshore wind generation,  the French wind tender, as for a model for offshore wind development. Alstom Wind’s very own Daniel Castell, Offshore Platform Director, was a featured keynote speaker who cited the key elements and best practices from European projects that are crucial to developing the offshore wind industry in the U.S. “There are many factors that must be taken into consideration”, said Mr. Castell.  “Obviously you need the equipment and transmission infrastructure but other factors such as industrial setup, supply chain, port infrastructure, and a strong deployment roadmap are critical to ensuring projects are economically sustainable”.  Daniel went on to discuss how the long-term collaboration between partners is essential to overcoming the economic and environmental hurdles that are inherent to offshore wind development.

Offshore wind in the U.S……. Moving forward

Superior wind resources, easy access to load centers and shallow waters make the southeastern coast a prime location for the development of wind farms. That’s why Alstom and partners like Dominion Virginia Power, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), are completing the Front End Feasibility and Design (FEED) stages for an offshore wind demonstration project in the state of Virginia, the first of its kind in the U.S. This project, which would feature two Alstom Haliade 150 6MW offshore turbines, was a major topic of discussion during the conference. Representatives from Dominion Power highlighted the importance of Alstom’s role in the project, citing the company’s global expertise and the intellectual capital brought to the project. Speakers from EDF referenced close industry partnerships, like the French Tender, as vital in bringing the U.S. closer to the reality of offshore wind. During a panel session on the potential for offshore wind in the southeast, representatives from AWS Truepower, LLC. once again cited the company’s advanced Haliade 150 wind turbine and that it’s high yield capability make it an ideal turbine for use along America’s eastern coast.

Learn more about the Southeastern Coastal Wind Coalition

This article is a repost, credit: Alstom. Video courtesy of Alstom

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Alstom to renew signalling system of the Great Western Main line in the UK

September 29, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Network Rail’s testing programme for cab signaling  Photo courtesy of Network Rail

Network Rail’s testing programme for cab signaling
Photo courtesy of Network Rail

Signalling Solutions Limited (SSL) – a joint venture formed by Alstom and Balfour Beatty Rail – has been awarded three contracts by Network Rail to renew the signalling system controlling major areas of the Great Western Main Line. The part for Alstom is worth over 80 million euros1. Delivery of the three projects will be completed in December 2015.

SSL will deliver the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the renewed signalling around the areas of Oxford, Swindon and Bristol as well as the associated power system. In addition to the renewal of life expired equipment, the projects are being driven by the requirement to prepare the line for electrification and for the overlay of ERTMS2, the latest train protection system with “in cab” signalling.

The works will include the supply of five Smartlock 400™- the powerful interlocking product developed by Alstom. This leading edge product has already been deployed in a number of locations around the UK rail network.

1 – More than €165 for SSL
2 – European Rail Traffic Management System

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, including rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers “turnkey” solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.5 billion euros in the fiscal year 2012-2013. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs near 26,700 people.

About Signalling Solutions Ltd

Signalling Solutions Ltd (SSL) is a 50-50 joint venture company formed by Alstom Transport and Balfour Beatty Rail. Launched in October 2007, SSL is the UK and Ireland’s sole channel for signalling products and systems previously supplied by the parent companies, including Alstom’s Smartlock interlocking, Atlas train controls for ERTMS projects and Urbalis train control systems for mass transit projects as well as Iconis traffic management technology.

In January 2012 SSL was chosen as a preferred bidder in Network Rail’s major signalling framework agreement. SSL is responsible for providing signalling renewals and enhancements as primary supplier in three of eight geographical regions; Central East, Great Western Inner and Great Western Outer and is the secondary supplier in four geographical regions; Scotland, Central West, Wales and Western and Kent and Anglia.In March 2012 SLL received a framework agreement from Network Rail to design and develop a European Train Control System (ETCS level 2) using Alstom’s proven Atlas technology.

This article is a repost (release 9-27-13), credit: Alstom.

Tesla Flying High, Electrification Movement

September 25, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Model S, Tesla

New Tesla Store  Fremont Factory Store Photo courtesy of Tesla

New Tesla Store
Fremont Factory Store
Photo courtesy of Tesla

Tesla stock (TSLA) hit another new record high today, $186.30 per share. And, yes, TSLA also had a record close, $185.24. As stated previously, some of this recent run may be attributed to Q3 institutional window dressing. Regardless, it is the strong fundamentals in the electrification movement that has TSLA flying high.

At LAX or SFO airport locations, the 85 kWh Model S is now available as a rental at Hertz. Tesla fans can rent a Model S at SFO and take a drive down to the new Tesla Fremont Factory store.

Around the world, clean energy technologies and projects are advancing at an accelerated rate, spurred by a fun competition amongst progressive business and political leaders to advance the world beyond fossil fuels. In the US, Google and Tesla are the leading green business advocates. Google is aiming to be 100% powered by renewable energies, and the company recently agreed to an electrifying purchase of 240 MW from the future Happy Hereford wind farm (Texas). As to Tesla, the company’s Model S and Supercharger technologies are the pinnacle of the electrification movement. Nothing says goodbye to fossil fuels better than an image of a Model S at a free Supercharger station.

First European Supercharger station Photo courtesy of Tesla

First European Supercharger station
Photo courtesy of Tesla

The world is filled with various exhibitions and conferences on clean energy / clean transportation subjects, enabling industry experts to share best practices. These events create more deals and more jobs, leading to a more efficient electric economy and higher global production. ABB, Alstom and Siemens have been standout leaders in Western Europe where the electrification movement is most advanced.

In time (especially as battery technology advances), there will be some interesting city, state and national upgrades to the new electric era. Battery technology is the key. As fast as the electric wiring for streetcars, light rail and trains goes up, it may be coming back down as battery technology improves. In addition, large warehouse structures will eventually dot the landscape, housing large battery storage for renewable energy projects.

BYD has made it very clear that the company wants to be a worldwide leader in electric urban transport with its electric buses (K9) and taxis (E6), as well as lead in battery storage technologies with renewable energies. The company is obviously well positioned to service the monumental clean energy needs of China, but the greening of China will be a grand collaborative scheme. BYD’s efforts to transform Aruba to a zero carbon footprint are a tiny carbon step in respects to China.

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Alstom delivers first Regiolis train to Lorraine Region

September 23, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Regiolis train, Lorraine Photo courtesy of Alstom

Regiolis train, Lorraine
Photo courtesy of Alstom

Alstom delivered on Saturday 21 September at the Metz train station, the first Regiolis train to Lorraine Region (north-east of France). Attending the event were Jean-Pierre Masseret, Lorraine Regional Council Chairman, Alain Autruffe, SNCF Lorraine Director, Claude Solar, SNCF Regions and Intercités Director and Jérôme Wallut, Alstom Transport France Managing Director. Lorraine is France’s second region (after Aquitaine in July 2013) to receive its next-generation regional train.

The arrival of Regiolis trains in Lorraine has closely followed the inauguration of Alstom’s Regiolis After-Sales Service premises on September 5th 2013 at the SNCF Technicentre in Metz. Alstom teams are on hand to take part in the training of drivers and maintenance teams.

To date, 182 Regiolis trains have been ordered for 12 of France’s regions, as part of the contract signed by Alstom and SNCF in 2009. The Lorraine Region ordered 10 Regiolis bimodal trains (diesel or electric (dual voltage 25 kV / 1,500 V)), 72 metres in length and with capacity for up to 219 seated passengers. On top of the standard layout, Regiolis trains in the Lorraine Region will feature extra equipment like a passenger-counting system, a space for bike storage and door-recognition assistance.

Regiolis trains have travelled around 250,000 km and are due to complete the certification phase in October 2013. They will be put into service upon receiving their AMECs (Commercial Operation Permits), issued by the EPSF (French Railway Safety Board). Thanks to the hard work performed by SNCF and all the players in France’s rail business channel, about 100 Regiolis trains will have been delivered by late 2014. Besides the Lorraine Region, trains for Alsace, Aquitaine, Lower Normandy and Picardie will be available as of 2013. Initial commercial service will begin in 2014.

Regiolis trains are from the Alstom’s Coradia range. They are modular and can be adapted to the needs of every region: they come in three lengths (56, 72 or 110 metres), with a choice of four comfort levels to suit the travel distance (suburban, regional or intercity), and features a bimodal (diesel/electric) or electric drive. Regiolis trains are ecological and economical on account of their low energy use and reduced maintenance costs. Lastly, they are accessible to everyone thanks to their integral, platform-height low floor.

Manufacturing Regiolis trains generates over 4,000 jobs in France at Alstom’s and its suppliers. Six out of the ten Alstom facilities in France are taking part in the project: Reichshoffen (design and assembly), Ornans (engines), Le Creusot (bogies), Tarbes (drive chains), Villeurbanne (on-board computers) and Saint-Ouen (design).

This article is a repost, credit: Alstom.