Newsletter Toshiba's 120-Year Legacy to help Transform Railway Sector in India
Toshiba's 120-Year Legacy to help Transform Railway Sector in India
Indian Railways: Modernizing for the Future
Indian Railways, the backbone of India's transport infrastructure, is undergoing a transformative overhaul. High-speed trains, upgraded stations, advanced signalling, and projects like dedicated freight corridors are enhancing efficiency and capacity. Backed by a Rs. 3 lakh crore modernization budget, initiatives include 100% electrification, 300-400 Vande Bharat trains, 40,000 upgraded coaches, and the "Mission Zero Accidents" safety drive, prioritizing passenger experience and sustainability.
Toshiba: A Century of Innovation in Rail Technology
For over 120 years, Toshiba has led rail technology innovation, starting in 1899 with traction motors and propulsion systems. In 1923, it advanced Japan's railway electrification by producing the first electric locomotive, marking its global expansion. Toshiba’s connection with India began in 1965 with the supply of electric locomotives, fostering collaboration in India's railway modernization. With a legacy of innovation and deep industry expertise, Toshiba’s innovative solutions meet the requirement for India's railway modernization, focusing on safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Revolutionizing Railways: Innovative Technologies by Toshiba
1.Toshiba Power Supply Systems with Advanced Technology
Toshiba provides advanced, energy-efficient power supply systems that ensure stability and reliability for modern rail networks, continuously innovating to meet the evolving demands of railway infrastructure.Toshiba provides advanced, energy-efficient power supply systems that ensure stability and reliability for modern rail networks, continuously innovating to meet the evolving demands of railway infrastructure.
- Toshiba’s Traction Energy Storage System (TESS) with SCiBTM battery: TESS with SCiBTM captures regenerative energy from train braking, storing it to reduce power waste, stabilize line voltage, and support peak demand. It reduces overall power consumption significantly and a field test shows the achievement of 9 to 14% daily traction energy consumption reduction. Other field test shows TESS enabling emergency train operations for 2.4 km distance which includes a section with steep gradient of up to +33‰.
- Furthermore, Toshiba's traction battery systems applying SCiBTM rechargeable lithium-ion battery is key to next-generation railway systems, offering long life, safety, and eco-friendliness. It stores energy regenerated from trains and would serve as an emergency power source for evacuation during power outages. SCiBTM rechargeable battery also powers hybrid rolling stock, reducing total energy consumption compared to conventional systems.
- Advanced Power Supply Systems for High Speed Rail, Mainline and Metro trains: Toshiba’s AC Electrification System ensures stable power delivery to electric rolling stock with critical components like Scott transformers (eg: 220/27.5 x 2 kV, 132/27.5 x 2 kV) and Gas Insulated Switchgear for reliable and long-term operations. Similarly, Toshiba’s DC Electrification System provides reliable DC power with rectifier transformers (up to 6 MW rectifier) and package-type substations (up to 2 MW), optimizing power distribution for seamless railway operations. Toshiba has extensive experience in supply of equipment’s like Control Relay Panel, Changeover Switch (42 kV) and other major electrical equipment in substation systems for High Speed Rail (Shinkansen) in Japan.
- Toshiba SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system: Toshiba's SCADA system ensures efficient power management for railways with redundancy for uninterrupted monitoring, flexible operations, and high-security measures for reliable performance.
2.Toshiba's Rolling Stock Systems
- Toshiba propulsion systems provide tractive effort for train acceleration and regenerative braking, ensuring energy efficiency and high performance. For AC electrified lines, Toshiba offers compact, lightweight, low-noise systems with energy-saving designs, featuring reliable main converters (Converter Inverter, CI) for easy maintenance. For DC electrified lines, Toshiba provides quiet, energy-efficient solutions with high-efficiency components like fully enclosed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), and VVVF inverters, ensuring optimal performance in DC feed sections.
- Toshiba's auxiliary power supply systems feature high transient response, stable control, compactness, low weight, and low noise. They include a 2-level SIV (70-260 kVA), high-efficiency 3-level SIV, redundancy-enabled standby dual SIV, and dual-mode SIV, which switches from the traction motor inverter to APU during SIV failure.
- Train Information System / Train Safety System: Toshiba’s train information control systems integrate high-speed trans mission and reliable CPUs to ensure efficient equipment control, safe operations, and passenger notifications.
- Locomotives: Toshiba employs advanced technologies like water-cooled main converters, high-power induction motors, PMSMs, and high-performance multiple unit controls to produce electric locomotives (EL), diesel-electric locomotives (DEL), and hybrid locomotives. Toshiba has delivered numerous locomotives and electrical equipment to domestic and international customers.
3.Toshiba Railways Information Systems
Toshiba integrates advanced control and information systems for train operations, scheduling, rolling stock and crew management, facility management, and signaling, using cutting-edge communication technologies and railway expertise. Its solutions enhance operational efficiency through systems like TrueLine for transportation scheduling, which optimizes timetabling, maintenance, and crew scheduling. The Automatic Train Supervision System boosts efficiency with features like train tracking, route control, and disruption management, supported by AI and IoT. Toshiba’s IoT solutions connect devices across control centers, stations, substations, depots, and crew offices, creating an integrated railway system.
Mr. Shuichi Ito,
Managing Director,
Toshiba India Private Limited.
“For over 120 years, Toshiba has remained at the forefront of technological advancements, transforming railway systems around the world. As India accelerates its railway modernization, we continue to deepen our commitment to the country’s railway modernization efforts.
Toshiba is poised to play a vital role, bringing our cutting-edge solutions and extensive experiences like energy-saving propulsion systems, Traction Energy Storage System with SCiBTM rechargeable lithium-ion battery and wayside systems like Scott transformers. Aligned with its Make-in-India commitment, Toshiba manufactures advanced electrical equipment for railway systems at its Hyderabad facility, especially for the wayside systems. This enhances local market responsiveness, part supply, maintenance optimization, and cost efficiency, boosting competitiveness in India and globally.
We are dedicated to contributing to the creation of a world-class railway network that drives India’s progress. Toshiba remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing India’s social infrastructure, with a strong focus on modernizing and optimizing the railway system. Through innovative technologies and sustainable solutions, we aim to work with our partners and stakeholders in delivering a robust and resilient railway network that will serve as a cornerstone for India's progress and turn on the promise of a new day.”
