Metcom, a leader in power electronics systems for rail vehicles, has chosen ORSEE, a leader in battery systems for commercial and industrial electric vehicles, to outfit tramways in a major American city. It is anticipated that up to 55 light rail cars would have FORSEE PULSE PLUS battery systems installed so they may operate off-catenary.
Up to 55 city trams will soon operate
To replace their oldest light rail cars on the current network, a new rolling stock manufacturer was chosen in 2024 to develop and produce up to 55 new hybrid battery high-floor vehicles. Overhead line operation and battery propulsion will be combined in the new trams equipped with onboard energy storage systems (OESS).
In addition to increasing economy and comfort, the new tramway carriages will lessen reliance on overhead lines. They enable the tramway line to be extended in areas without overhead lines and minimize the need for additional infrastructure while maintaining the urban environment.
The traction system will be supplied by Medcom, a rail vehicle power electronics expert, while the battery systems for the OESS energy storage system are supplied by Forsee Power. In April 2026, Medcom will get the first shipment of batteries.
PULSE PLUS, a highly durable high-power battery system for heavy vehicles
To equip the 55 trains in the project, Forsee Power will provide 110 units of PULSE 26 PLUS RAIL batteries, which are the railroad version of the PULSE 26 PLUS (2 batteries per train).
Forsee Power’s PULSE PLUS system, which is based on Toshiba’s most recent LTO cells, has an outstanding 20-year lifespan and doubles the power output of its predecessor, the PULSE 15, with a 10-second peak output of 400 kW.
In addition to ensuring the highest levels of safety with enhanced preventive and protection mechanisms, PULSE PLUS was designed with liquid thermal management for prolonged lifetime in harsh temperatures and extremely demanding use cases (ISO 26262 ASIL-C, IP6K9K). Customizable mounting brackets for easier installation and an easily maintained power distribution unit (PDU) without opening the battery are features of its design.
Reliability and safety are ensured by the PULSE PLUS solution’s compliance with the strictest industry standards, including ISO 12405-2, ISO 6469-1, ISO 62619, IEC 60664, UN38.3, the most recent R10-6 and R100-3 approvals, and UL and SAE standards.
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