Bombardier Transportation GmbH has awarded Saft a contract to supply specialized MATRICS MRX nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rail batteries for 27 new generation DT5 metro trains currently under construction for Hamburger Hochbahn AG, the operator of the rapid transit system in Hamburg, Germany.

Hamburger Hochbahn awarded the contract to supply its 27 new metro trains to a consortium of Alstom and Bombardier. The contract also includes an option for 40 additional trains.

The contract extends Saft's 20-year plus relationship with Hamburger Hochbahn, during which Saft's Ni-Cd batteries have demonstrated an track-record for performance and reliability on the previous DT4 and DT3 series metro trains.

The primary role of the 24 V Saft batteries, to be installed on each three-car DT5 metro train, will be to support the train's control and safety systems for short periods when the main DC supply is temporarily interrupted, such as when passing through neutral sections of track. The battery will also supply emergency power for onboard systems such as train control, door opening and communications to maintain passenger safety in the case of mains power failure.

The new generation DT5 trains will be delivered from 2009 to 2013. As of end 2011, part of this new DT5 fleet will be used on the new U4 line connection between the emerging quarter of HafenCity and Hamburg's city centre.

To meet the load profile specified by Hamburger Hochbahn Saft is offering its smallest and lightest 24 V Ni-Cd battery, comprising 19 MRX230 cells with a nominal capacity of 230 Ah.

The MATRICS MRX design is reliable and does not suffer from the 'sudden death' which can affect some batteries, even in extreme temperatures ranging from -30 to +70 degrees C.

The simple to use MATRICS MRX integrated water filling system is designed to fill all the cells from one central point " without any moving parts " and reduces the battery maintenance requirements by enabling cells to be topped-up quickly, safely and accurately, maximising the battery's useful life.