USA: The American manufacturer introduced a new technology, the EVO Advantage, for the overhaul of Evolution series locomotive engines that comply with Tier 3 and Tier 4 emission standards. Over 10,000 locomotives of this series are in operation worldwide.
The EVO Advantage package includes the installation of a new generator and a turbo generator, engine control software, and power electronics equipment.
Wabtec states that after modernisation, the generator can harness waste energy from the exhaust gases to power one of the locomotive’s six traction motors. This is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 7%. The new technology is presently undergoing field trials.
Another innovation in the EVO Advantage is the use of a carbon fibre sleeve to hold the rotor magnets in the generator. Wabtec explains that this material was chosen to save space inside the engine.
