Case Study on Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central)
The world's first battery-based self-
propelled system for high-speed
railways which contributes to the
improvement of safety and
emergency response.
Story of the development of battery-based self-propelling system
A battery-based self-propelled system that uses SCiB™ rechargeable lithium-ion battery to enable self-traction during long-term power outages caused by disasters and etc.
The world's first* "battery-based self-propelled system" for high speed railways, which was introduced to JR Central, enables self-propelling without electricity from the overhead wire. This is possible by storing electricity into the battery under the vehicle floor. The system is composed of battery unit for self-propelling using SCiB™ rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the propulsion system having main converter inverter and motor. During the normal operation, the battery system charges electricity from the pantograph through auxiliary power supply. However, during self-propelling mode it disconnects itself from the auxiliary power supply and supplies power to the propulsion system.
*From our research as of July, 2019
Akio Makita
Railway Systems Sales Department, Chubu Region, Chubu Branch Office
Development of a new vehicle system which contributes to safe and stable transportation in the event of disaster
JR Centralʼs mission is to achieve safe and stable transportation. During the development of the new model N700S, which was to be the first full model change in 13 years, a vehicle having the highest level of safety, stability, comfort, and environmental performance was required. Among the requirements and as to safety, many thoughts were given to improving the preparedness against disasters.How to move the vehicle to a safe place when there is no electricity from the overhead wire due to a disaster and how to incorporate it into the new model. In order to improve the preparedness against disasters, our company, whose role is the total supplier of main converter inverter, auxiliary power supply, information system, and safety system, have also taken part in the development.
Multi-device cross-cutting developmental project using the total capabilities and technologies as a manufacturer
One of the developmental goals was to enable self-propelling evacuation from all the tunnels and bridges in the Tokaido Shinkansen section. For this, we have proposed a completely new product called the "battery-based self-propelled system" by combining the total capabilities as a battery manufacturer and the technologies to minimize and reduce the weight of the converter.
Normally, a knowledge of various devices is required for new system development. However, since our company manufactures many vehicle system products, using this strength we were able to realize developmental project in a multi-device cross-cutting manner. With the cooperation with JR Central, we achieved our goal by considering the battery capacity, performing simulations and verifications by understanding the main converter inverter performances and the railway section information, and also by repeating the driving tests on the test vehicle.
Contributing to the safety improvement of Shinkansen with battery self-traction system
With the success of this project, N700S became the world's first high-speed railway with battery-based self-propelled system. The mechanism that enables self-propelling even during long power outages, caused by natural disasters, contributes to the safety improvement of Shinkansen and its capability to respond to emergencies. In addition, it has become possible to use some restrooms even during a power outage. Our technology has made it possible to create a safer and more comfortable vehicle.
We will continue to develop collectively from devices, such as SCiB™, to systems. Also, in collaboration with our customers, we will develop vehicle systems that achieve both high performance and high quality.
Case Summary
N700S is a Shinkansen which is to be the first full model change in 13 years. It was developed to provide customers with the highest level of safety, stability, comfort, and environmental performance. Therefore, in order to contribute to JR Central's mission of safe and stable transportation, we have been jointly developing the new concept of a battery-based self-propelled system using the SCiB™ rechargeable lithium-ion battery. By developing the battery devices under strict restrictions, N700S has become a vehicle with even higher performance.
- Case Name
- Case Study on Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central)
- Date Introduced
- 2020.7
Delivered product (solution)
Rolling Stock Systems
We have developed a system not only to meet the required speed and reliability, but also to meet the environmental consciousness. We provide various equipment targeting advanced environmental performance both in Japan and in overseas.
Comment from the person in charge
Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
Railway Systems Sales Department, Chubu Region, Chubu Branch Office
Akio Makita
Our railway business has a long history, dating back to 1899. Ever since we delivered the first domestically produced traction motors and bogies, our role has gradually changed in the course of doing business with a wide range of customers. That is, from the role of supplying products to the role of solving social problems using our railway systems. We believe that such a change comes from our constant commitment to the voices of our customers. We also have the power to create new value by combining the knowledge we have gained in a wide range of industrial fields and the advanced technologies in the digital domain. We will continue to bring about constant technological innovation in the railway industry by adapting the latest technologies such as operation management systems that utilize AI and sensor technologies that contributes to the auto driving.
Customer Profile
Central Japan Railway Company(JR Central)
Corporate information
- Headquarters
- JR Central Towers, 1-1-4, Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
- Founded
- April, 1987
- Common Stock
- 112.0 billion yen
- Business Outline
- Railways business, Related businesses
- URL
- https://jr-central.co.jp/
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