Knorr-Bremse wins contract from Siemens
18/03/2022
German braking systems manufacturer Knorr-Bremse has secured a long-term contract from Siemens Mobility to enable the remote condition monitoring of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.These solutions will be deployed onboard 172 trains that will be manufactured and maintained by Siemens Mobility for UK-based operator South Western Railway.
The modernisation of the HVAC systems started in 2021 and is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2022. The new capability will then be launched this spring.
Dr Jürgen Wilder, who is an Executive Board Member and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems Division for Knorr-Bremse, said: “The rail industry has huge untapped potential for digitalisation due to factors such as high security standards, substantial investment requirements and the need to become even more efficient.”
With its digital remote condition monitoring solution, Knorr-Bremse is upgrading around 733 HVAC systems on board 172 trains, including 127 four-car Class 450 regional trains and 45 five-car Class 444 trains.
The modernisation project is expected to improve Siemens Mobility’s condition-based maintenance (CBM) competence.
Knorr-Bremse’s international subsidiary for climate control technologies for trains manufactured the original HVAC systems.
The remodel will help to gather huge operating data that will later be evaluated by Knorr-Bremse through the cloud. Through this initiative, Knorr-Bremse aims to back the decarbonisation agenda and cut down the trains’ energy usage, as well as improve fleet maintenance.
