Breathing new life into old trains: Nomad Tech’s sustainability journey with Hitachi Energy

The Challenge
Nomad Tech, a Portuguese leader in customer-tailored traction solutions, was looking for a new Power Semiconductor module to modernize traction converters from different fleets. The search led to Hitachi Energy’s latest Si IGBT module. This is how the collaboration between Hitachi Energy Semiconductors and Nomad Tech started.

By integrating advanced technology, Nomad Tech’s retrofit solution is expected to operate efficiently for another 30 years, minimizing the environmental impact of obsolete train systems as well as reducing energy consumption compared to older systems.

Nomad Tech was looking for a state-of-the-art traction Power Semiconductor module to upgrade both electric locomotives and multiple units across various projects. Hitachi Energy’s 6.5kV HiPak module with a power rating of 1000A, met their demand. The state-of-the-art semiconductor is the latest generation of its kind, the most powerful on the market and had the highest power rating compared to other similar modules.

However, the decision to proceed was not taken lightly: Nomad Tech required a rigorous field qualification process, ensuring the module met their exacting standards and operational requirements.

Challenging test during COVID
During this phase, the HiPak modules were tested under extreme conditions of temperature and humidity. The qualification process was rigorous, spanning over two years and conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results
The results speak for themselves: Nomad Tech approved our HiPak module and they have used it in multiple projects already. We are proud to have passed such a demanding test, demonstrating that our products truly deliver on their promise. We are also very proud that Nomad Tech chose our product.
“The power semiconductor market is highly dynamic, and we selected Hitachi Energy’s IGBT HiPak power module as a reliable solution for specific applications. Following a successful testing phase, we implemented their 6.5 kV HiPak module in some of the rolling stock projects we are working on. It was a positive collaboration with Hitachi Energy,” said a representative from Nomad Tech.

Strategic Relevance
This project exemplifies Hitachi Energy’s commitment to sustainability and digitalization in transportation. By enabling the reuse and upgrade of existing assets, we help customers reduce environmental impact and operational costs, while showcasing cross-segment collaboration between our semiconductor and railway teams.

Nomad Tech is a Portuguese company that focuses on the refurbishment business, taking old trains and locomotives and giving them new life by exchanging old technologies, like converters based on GTOs or old IGBT modules, for the most recent technologies. The new IGBT based power modules manufactured by Nomad Tech are IoT connected and complement its Remote Online Condition Monitoring system embedded on the trains.

Their team brings over 25 years of experience in rail, tailoring their solutions to the railway environment. Their vision is to become a world reference company in the development of innovative technological solutions for the railway industry. Their mission is the development and commercialization of innovative solutions aimed at reducing the life cycle cost of physical assets, acting on the acquisition, upgrade, maintenance, and operations components, based on their extensive knowledge of the railway industry.