<html><head><base href="data:"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><base href="data:">FYI<div>Robert M<br><div><br><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>From: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">Robert Milligan <<a href="mailto:mill@continuum.org">mill@continuum.org</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Date: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">November 17, 2010 2:07:20 AM GMT-05:00</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>To: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">CAO Mike Murray <<a href="mailto:mmike@region.waterloo.on.ca">mmike@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Cc: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">Chair Ken Seiling <<a href="mailto:sken@region.waterloo.on.ca">sken@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Commissioner Thomas Schmidt <<a href="mailto:sthomas@region.waterloo.on.ca">sthomas@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Commisioner Rob Horne <<a href="mailto:hrob@region.waterloo.on.ca">hrob@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Director Nancy Button <<a href="mailto:bnancy@region.waterloo.on.ca">bnancy@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Manager Darshpreet Bhatti <<a href="mailto:bdarshpr@region.waterloo.on.ca">bdarshpr@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Director Graham Vincent <<a href="mailto:vgraham@region.waterloo.on.ca">vgraham@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>>, Becky Schlenvogt <<a href="mailto:sbecky@region.waterloo.on.ca">sbecky@region.waterloo.on.ca</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Subject: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>An UltraBattery Powered LRT</b></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><br></div> </div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; ">Mike,</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; ">"Individuals who get startled by the future weren't paying attention (or otherwise had insufficient knowledge.)" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; ">Gary Hamel in "Leading the (Innovation) Revolution", Harvard Business School Press</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><b>The future is now </b>as the recently operationally-demonstrated (in key US cities) Kinki Sharyo Li-ion battery-powered LRT suggests -- so "Why not" use it to great advantage! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.kinkisharyo.com/media/pdf/lfx.pdf">http://www.kinkisharyo.com/media/pdf/lfx.pdf</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.kippo.or.jp/e/news/kipponews_detail_606.html">http://www.kippo.or.jp/e/news/kipponews_detail_606.html</a></span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.kinkisharyo.com/media/pdf/lfx.pdf"></a></div><div><div><a href="http://www.kinkisharyo.com/media/pdf/lfx.pdf"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; ">And if this KS LRT used Furukawa's (manufacturer) proven UltraBattery (CSIRO invented), it would most likely perform better (no time delays for charging, less frequent charging, greater battery longevity, ...) with lower costs (UB purchase/replacement price much less, ' fewer charging stations' necessary, ... -- likely at terminal only)! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> <a href="http://www.electricforum.com/cars/batteries/2520-ultra-battery.html)">http://www.electricforum.com/cars/batteries/2520-ultra-battery.html</a> (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">any links here)</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><div>Kawasaki also has a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; ">battery-powered LRT using their own proprietary nickel metal-hydride Gigacell® battery who also might have a more cost-effective approach if they use the UltraBattery instead! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.kawasakirailcar.com/overview-of-swimo.html">http://www.kawasakirailcar.com/overview-of-swimo.html</a></span></span></div><div><br></div><div>What follows is especially for Commissioner Thomas Schmidt who I have urged to do the <b>necessary due diligence research</b> on battery-powered LRTs to help allay his concerns: </div><div><a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_9_210/ai_n39353160/pg_2/">http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_9_210/ai_n39353160/pg_2/</a> (originally in Railway Age, Sept 2009)</div><div><br></div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Siemens only began work on its Sistras HES hybrid energy storage system in September 2007, but it has already completed a successful six-month trial of the system, which has been used in passenger service on Lisbon's Metro South (MTS) light rail network since last November (2008). Sistras HES combines a double-layer capacitor (DLC) with a NiMH traction battery, allowing the LRV to store both braking energy and power drawn from the catenary. The roof-mounted modules have been installed in spare roof space on an MTS Siemens Combino Plus LRV, and are electrically connected to the vehicle's power by means of a step-up/step-down chopper.</span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#252525" face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br></span></font></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); line-height: 20px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">This simple "independent" connection concept means <b>Sistras HES can be easily retrofitted to older vehicles, including those of other manufacturers.</b> On new Siemens vehicles, the chopper is integrated into the traction converter. <b>Both integrated and independent systems have been approved by Tuv Sud in accordance with the German construction and operating code for tramways (BOStrab).</b></p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Sistras HES can complete its charging cycle in just 20 seconds, taking power from the catenary or a charging point while the LRV is standing in a station. This provides sufficient power for the vehicle to run independently for up to 1.5 miles, depending on the operating conditions.</span>"</div><div><br></div><div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "></span><div><br></div><div>Again -- as with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; ">Kinki Sharyo and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Kawasaki <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; ">above-- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">if Siemens now uses the UltraBattery (with simpler electronic controls requ'd, etc.), then they would likely realize a great leap forward in cost-effectiveness!</span></span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div>Robert (always interesting but occasionally irritating -- especially so at this <b>critical juncture</b>)</div><div><br></div><div>PS: I had a recent meeting with Chair Ken Seiling in which I informed him in greater detail about my proposed LRT IDEAS. Hopefully I will be able to meet with you soon to explore the same and the need for a <b>temporary LRT Innovative IDEAS Evaluation Team</b>.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>ADDENDUM:</div><div><br></div><div><div>FYI, here is some more information on mostly historical aspects of battery-powered passenger rail cars:</div><div><br></div><div>1. CPR until 1941 (Guelph to CP mainline at Guelph Junction west of Milton)</div><div> <a href="http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_London/history_branch_psgr.htm">http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_London/history_branch_psgr.htm</a></div><div> -- notice the open "doors" on the 4 RHS lead-acid battery banks</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><img width="640" height="400" src="cid:378786AC-89D7-4E4F-93CC-B967EFEB138C@lan"></span></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; ">One of the more unusual types of self-propelled passenger car was the storage battery car. Looking similar to the more conventional gas-electrics, they were powered by batteries, the electrical power of which was delivered to the traction motors. Developed in the U.S., they found favour in short haul branch line service.<br><br>Over the years, Canadian Pacific had a variety of self-propelled cars powered by steam, gas-mechanical, gas-electric, diesel-electric and diesel-mechanical drive. The 9002 battery car in this photograph (<i>Note:</i>Battery doors are open) taken in August, 1932 at Guelph, was built early in 1924 by Canadian Car and Foundry, Canadian Westinghouse and International Equipment Co. of Montreal, whose president Mr. E.G. Jackson had persuaded the CPR to try this type of car. The car was originally numbered 45 when built and was a combine with a baggage compartment and a seating area for 50 passengers. Its length was 53' 2" and it weighed 38 tons. The batteries, as can be seen in the photograph were contained in under-slung compartments, the doors of which are open. The life of the batteries was estimated at three to five years. The car rode on roller bearing journals. The construction cost was $65,000 including the battery recharging station. The batteries, which accounted for $25,000 of the cost, required seven to eight hours to fully charge. The charging time could be split up to two or three different periods in a 24 hour span. This unit was put into service on the new Hamilton to Galt run with two trips daily each way on a 90 minute schedule for the 34 miles.</span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Times"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Times">Thus a new mode of transport was introduced to the travelling public. By November 1925 car 45 had run <b>90,000 miles of satisfactory service</b>. Unfortunately the Hamilton-Galt service did not continue beyond 1926 and car 45 was transferred to the Guelph Junction-Guelph run, where it was later renumbered to 9002 in 1931. ... the power units were removed and the car converted to a trailer for gas-electric cars around 1941.</font></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>2. Accumulator (passenger) railcar</div><div> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accumulator_railcar">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accumulator_railcar</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:517-008.jpg" class="image" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><img alt="" width="220" height="147" class="thumbimage" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: middle; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " src="cid:0520B761-E8D7-4438-BCDF-6DCE84485BA5@lan"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><div style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">An <b>accumulator railcar</b> (also "accumulator car" or "accumulator railbus") is an electrically-driven <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railcar" title="Railcar" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">railcar</a> whose energy is derived from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_batteries" title="Rechargeable batteries" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">rechargeable batteries</a> that drive its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traction_motor" title="Traction motor" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">traction motors</a>.</div><div style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The main advantage of these vehicles is their clean, quiet operation. They do not use fossil fuels like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal" title="Coal" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">coal</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuel" title="Diesel fuel" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">diesel fuel</a>, emit no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exhaust_gas" title="Exhaust gas" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">exhaust gases</a> and do not require the railway to have expensive infrastructure like electric <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_rail" title="Third rail" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">ground rails</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_lines" title="Overhead lines" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; ">overhead catenary</a>. On the down side is the weight of the batteries, which raises the vehicle weight, and their range before recharging of between 300 and 600 kilometres. Accumulator cars have a higher purchase price and running cost than petrol or diesel railcars and need a network of charging stations along the routes they work.</div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>