Before we have you gasping for your google, a catenary is a curve in a rope hanging from two points. Engineers generalize by calling overhead wires carrying energy for electric vehicles catenaries too. While people welcome electric trams in Europe, their overhead wires can be unsightly. Especially when passing through areas of great historic interest or natural beauty because this spoils the view.
How Midland Metro Aims to Work Around This
The Midland Metro provides a light rail-cum-tram service between Birmingham and Wolverhampton in the UK.
The combined population is close to three million and so therefore anything that gets people out of cars is welcome.
The company has shipped the first three Urbos 3 electric tram sets back to the manufacturer in Spain, Zaragoza. There, they will fit each with two lithium-ion batteries. When they return, they will be self-propelled where there are no catenary networks supplying them with electricity.
Why Catenary Free Design Make Economic Sense
“Battery technology is now so developed we can use it to get the tram through sensitive areas. And overcome what would otherwise be expensive infrastructure works,” a councilor explains.
When we have an effective alternative to motorcars, congestion, economic growth and carbon emissions all benefit.
Converting all of Midland Metro’s 21 electric tram sets will cost fifteen million pounds. The first four catenary free links alone will represent a saving of nine million pounds on infrastructure. There will doubtless be more to come. This makes going green on the Midland Metro a bargain. We hope other administrations follow.
How the New Midland Metro Technology Will Work
The technology will be great for the environment. Since light electric trains and trams will now be able to pass through historic centers and areas where catenaries are not economically justifiable. The batteries will be on the tram roofs. Elsewhere, overhead lines will charge them on other parts of the journey.
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Preview Image: Catenaries in Brussels-South
