News Releases

Hitachi received order of 2 Energy Storage for Traction Power
Supply System (B-CHOP system)

Tokyo, Japan, May 21, 2015 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”), today announced that Hitachi received an order of 2 Energy Storage device for Traction Power Supply System (“B-CHOP system”) through Hitachi East Asia Ltd. from MTR Corporation Limited (“HONG KONG RAILWAY”), a railway company in Hong Kong for railway systems. The ordered B-CHOP system will be delivered by November 2015 and will start operation after February 2016. This will be the first time that lithium ion battery-applied B-CHOP system to be installed in Hong Kong's railway systems.

In an effort to save energy, HONG KONG RAILWAY is considering installation of systems for both onboard and wayside systems, aiming of wisely use of power reduction and increase of power efficiency of railway operation as a whole.
B-CHOP system which Hitachi offered will be introduced to existing two lines; the one is to Airport Express Line connects Hong Kong and Kowloon to Hong Kong International Airport situated off Lantau Island (total operating distance is 35 km.), and the other is to Tsuen Wan Line connects Central Station to Tsuen Wan Station situated in southern new territories. (total operating distance is 16 km.)
Each B-CHOP system will be installed in each line's substation. After one year validation of energy saving effects, B-CHOP system is expected to widely adopt to HONG KONG RAILWAY's lines When commercially viable.

B-CHOP system reduces overall power consumption for running electric railcars. Reusable power generated when electric trains stop or decrease their speed will be stored temporarily in storage batteries installed in railways' substations and those power will be reused to run electric trains. Lithium-ion batteries are products of Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., which specializes mainly in development and production of lithium-ion batteries for automobiles.

Hitachi has high reputation with a lot of delivery record of lithium-ion-applied regenerative power storage system. Hitachi's B-CHOP system has bigger storage capacity than capacitor type storage system. Energy density, which indicates battery's continuance power, and output density, which indicates power, are both high. There is a site which gained 10% power reduction effect, compared with the one without B-CHOP system, by reducing power consumption through B-CHOP system that effectively stores reusable power from electric trains.
B-CHOP system also reduces frequency of use of trains' mechanical brakes and therefore reduces wear of brake pads, that leads to reduction of car maintenance costs.

Hitachi will continuously contribute to further development and energy saving of HONG KONG RAILWAY infrastructure based on its cutting-edge technologies such as B-CHOP system, the eco-friendly system for railway substations. Hitachi will expand its business globally, by expanding eco-friendly railway systems business to Southeast Asia, where the installation amount of new traffic systems such as subways and monorails is increasing, utilizing the experience in Hong Kong this time.

Overview Figure of B-CHOP system

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.