Kiepe at InnoTrans: charging solutions for e-buses (also) in the spotlight

Kiepe will join InnoTrans 2024 with a focus on cybersecurity and connectivity solutions for traction and battery charging.

Thanks to the new generation of connectivity-based solutions, public transit agencies can manage operations in real time and thus increase availability and customer satisfaction.

Kiepe has been sold by Knorr-Bremse in February 2024 becoming an independent company and has launched a new brand identity.

Alexander Ketterl, CEO of Kiepe, states: “In recent years, our team has made tremendous progress designing a range of sustainable solutions for the rail, electric bus and charging technology sectors. The innovative products now presented contribute to sustainable mobility concepts and zero emissions. Our solutions strengthen the performance and safety of a transit vehicle and are crucial for its overall performance. ‘Impact tomorrow’ is KIEPE’s promise to address the challenges of today and of the future.”

The Kiepe Group booth (430, hall 9) “leads visitors to three concepts for sustainable mobility: Rail Solutions with a focus on systems thinking with the new, cyber-secure KIEPE TCMS NextGen, e-Mobility Solutions with product solutions and Charging Solutions with high-performance charging technology. In addition, Kiepe supports its customers throughout the life cycle with aftermarket services and modernization offers for increased operational safety, extended vehicle service life and decarbonization approaches”, the group says.

Focus on e-buses for Kiepe at InnoTrans 2024

Kiepe supports its customers following the motto “Supporting your E-Mobility Solution”. In addition to emission-free, electrified drive solutions for In Motion Charging and battery-powered electric buses, the range also includes KIEPE charging concepts for e-vehicles.

Kiepe will display in Berlin its innovative KIEPE Traction Inverter (KTI). It achieves a high-power density through efficient semiconductor technology, is suitable for all common drives and can therefore be used universally, Kiepe underlines.

The KIC (KIEPE Insulating Converter) is a galvanically insulating DC/DC converter for use with high variance of input and output voltages. Primarily designed for IMC buses (In Motion Charging) and powered by the overhead line, the KIC functions as a battery charger and turns an electric bus into an IMC bus.

Additionally, The scalable k.Charger charging solutions enable charging infrastructure systems that are individually adapted to the existing depot infrastructure as well as opportunity chargers along the route. The power supply can be provided by the public power grid as well as the locally available railway power supply (AC and DC).

Kiepe at InnoTrans 2024: what about rail?

KIEPE’s successful range of rail vehicle products include traction solutions and electrical equipment. At InnoTrans, KIEPE offers its customers intensive insight into innovative connectivity topics relating to digitalization and the required cybersecurity of rail vehicles. The results are systems that meet the requirement of “Full Connectivity drives Safety and Performance” on- and offboard. This includes the new generation of control technology with the Train Control Management Systems (TCMS NexGen), which are based on a completely new hardware architecture.

The new KIEPE System Diagnosis (KSD) is shown on a diagnostic computer, which offers workshop personnel a high-resolution insight into all system information. The KIEPE system transmits operating data wirelessly to Smart Fleet Management (SFM), which enables efficient energy management with the help of AI. With the new KIEPE Service Pad, functions on the vehicle for commissioning checks can be triggered remotely. This means that routine checks can be carried out by just one person where previously two were required.

Rail Solutions is showing a SmartHybrid battery system as hardware exhibits, consisting of an integrated battery, charger, and battery control unit. This solution for emission-free freight shunting traffic – which can also be retrofitted – enables temporary noise- and CO₂-free operation and replaces the conventional fuel tank of the locomotive. The vehicles can travel in “zero-emission” mode for shunting operations of up to one hour.