In the center of the picture you can see the Movitrans TDM80E transformer head, above it the MGFTT4-DSM drive unit. © SEW-Eurodrive

The concept for Europa-Park includes contactless charging of the trains at the park's four stations. These were each equipped with four field plates, allowing the train's Movi-DPS double-layer capacitor storage units to be charged with up to 40 kW. The trains stop for around four to five minutes at each station while passengers board and alight. During this time, around 700 kWs are "refueled" within 60 seconds. The energy consumed supplies all electrical consumers on the train. In addition to the traction drives, this includes the compressor for the pneumatic brakes, the artificial steam generation, the sound system for locomotive noises and - in winter - the illumination. "The amount of energy easily lasts until recharging at the next station," explains Dominik Gläßer, sales representative at SEW-Eurodrive and responsible for the implementation of this project at Europa-Park.

The appropriate drive is provided by four Movigear MGFTT4-DSM drive units which, for reasons of appearance and space in the bogies of the locomotive, do not have any attached decentralized electronics, but are controlled via Movidrive modular encoderless control cabinet double axles. Thanks to their compact design, due to the built-in synchronous motor, the drive units are tailor-made for energy-efficient operation. They are also low-maintenance and, thanks to their high degree of protection in combination with the HP 200 surface coating, predestined for harsh outdoor use. Only through the interaction between the drive units and the Movi-C automation platform can Movitrans and energy storage units be integrated into the overall system. This results in an optimum solution for this application. The energy efficiency is significantly better than that of the diesel engine and the braking energy can also be used by means of recuperation in the storage system.

TÜV Süd requested a risk analysis for the use of Movitrans in train stations and therefore in public spaces. This was not the first time the organization had come into contact with Movitrans at Europa-Park, as SEW was already present in the standards landscape with the topic of "Inductive charging in electromobility". TÜV Süd therefore placed high demands on a safe shutdown as soon as there was no train on the field plates for charging. A UCS10B safety controller is used for the safe two-channel shutdown of the system, which deactivates the power supply units. Furthermore, the electromagnetic fields around the train during charging were measured and meet the required limit values.

Conversion of the trains during operation

The first panoramic lift with SEW technology has been in operation since the start of the winter season in November 2019 and has met all expectations. For this reason, electrification of the second panoramic lift began in February 2020 and was completed in May 2020. Since November 2020, two more trains have been converted to green operation. An additional reserve train will be ready for use by March 2021. The remaining diesel trains will continue to run as normal during the conversion phase until the changeover is complete.
Andrea Balser, Press Officer, SEW-Eurodrive