LOCOMOTIVE RETROFIT
Supercapacitor Shunter
Introduction
Alta was commissioned to deliver traction control systems for a series of four diesel-to-electric shunter conversions undertaken by Nanjing Iron and Steel. While the first units were configured with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems, the NGD004 locomotive marked a shift to a supercapacitor-based configuration. The project demonstrated Alta’s flexibility in adapting its traction and control technology to different energy-storage architectures within a common platform.
Alta's Scope of Work
Alta supplied and integrated the following systems and components:
Technology Snapshot
The NGD004 locomotive operates on a 700 V, 200 kWh supercapacitor system paired with an 880 kW traction drive, providing rapid power delivery and high-cycle endurance for frequent start-stop operation.
Outcome & Significance
The NGD004 project reinforced Alta’s reputation for engineering adaptable traction platforms that can accommodate diverse energy technologies. By pairing established traction and control systems with a next-generation supercapacitor module, Alta provided Nanjing Iron and Steel with a highly responsive, low-maintenance powertrain optimised for high-frequency, short-range industrial use.