Maxwell Technologies Selected by CAF for Catenary-Free Rail Modules

Maxwell Technologies Inc. announced Oct. 22, its ultracapacitors have been selected by CAF Power & Automation. Among the latest projects, CAF's ACR energy-storage system will be used on the first 100 percent catenary-free light-rail line currently under construction in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and in new tramways for an existing rail line in Tallinn (Estonia) for energy-saving purposes.

Capacitive energy-storage technology delivers high-density power supply to a number of rail-transportation applications. As part of CAF's ACR system, Maxwell's ultracapacitors are expected to provide up to 30 percent savings in energy consumption.

"Globally, new innovative energy technologies are in great demand, and we don't expect that trend to slow down over the next few years," Harkaitz Ibaiondo, sales & marketing director of CAF, said. "Our ACR energy-storage system is a key component of the transportation solutions implemented to satisfy this demand. Maxwell's ultracapacitors were a perfect option for energy recuperation and fast power delivery within our product. Their expertise and leadership in capacitive energy storage is exactly what we needed."

"Ultracapacitors have drawn great interest from leading rail transportation companies worldwide," Franz Fink, president and chief executive officer for Maxwell, said. "The demand for alternative energy storage and power delivery makes Maxwell's ultracapacitors a perfect fit for CAF. This is further validation of our ability to deliver technology that improves both energy efficiency and carbon emissions."