GERMANY: Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe has completed conversion of the traction power supply on its entire 196 route-km tram network from 600 V DC to 750 V DC.
Carried out over two nights at the start of April without interrupting normal operations, the conversion improves energy efficiency and gives BVG the opportunity to introduce more frequent services.
The project entailed modifications to more than 60 rectifiers, 139 transformers and changes to some components on 150 Type GT6 trams. There was no need to modify BVG’s Flexity tram fleet of more than 200 vehicles as these had been built from the outset to accept a 750 V DC power supply.
BVG had been planning the conversion for more than three years, re-equipping where necessary and carrying out tests.
Ahead of the main network conversion BVG changed the isolated Köpenick network in the southeastern suburbs to the higher voltage during the night of March 11 to 12. Work began after the last tram completed its journey at 01.30 on March 12 and was finished in time for a test run using the higher voltage and the start of public services at 05.30.
The Köpenick project served as a dry run for the main network conversion that took place three weeks later, allowing the equipment and procedures to be verified.
The 22 routes of the Berlin tram network handled 131∙8 million passengers in 2021.
