UK: Siemens Mobility has awarded Knorr-Bremse a contract to overhaul and install remote monitoring equipment on 733 heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems on 172 Class 444 and Class 450 Desiro electric multiple-units operated by South Western Railway.
The HVAC systems were made by Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Merak. The modifications will include installing CO2 sensors to help reduce energy consumption by adjusting the volume of fresh air needing heating or cooling to suit demand.
Knorr-Bremse’s digital monitoring systems will be integrated with Siemens Mobility’s Railigent platform to help to optimise fleet maintenance.
The system is expected to go live in spring 2022.
‘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’, said Dr Jürgen Wilder, Knorr-Bremse board member responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division. ‘Against this backdrop, we are systematically continuing to develop Knorr-Bremse into a digital systems supplier, and to expand our portfolio of remote condition monitoring solutions.’
He said ‘the contract is a first for the rail industry, and will help the operator to offer its passengers an even more sustainable, affordable and modern rail service’.
