Keywords: decarbonisation, electromobility, battery train, retrofit vehicle, vehicle concept, charging infrastructure, Havana suburban railway.

The operation of battery electric trains in Germany and Cuba has a history of over 100 years. The technology is experiencing a renaissance in the context of the climate movement, with technological innovations leading to hybrid vehicles known as BEMU. TU Berlin has provided scientific support for several BEMU-related projects during the recent years. This includes assistance in the development, introduction and passenger operation of a demonstrator BEMU as well as feasibility studies. A corresponding Cuban project is investigating the modification of current CB-10 diesel multiple units to battery trains for suburban services in Havana. The retrofit project shall benefit from the findings of current BEMU projects by a cooperation: General requirements and appropriate components for use in Cuban suburban operation are to be identified by analysing structures of modern BEMU. The aim is to develop a basic vehicle conversion concept for existing CB-10 vehicles that is preferably non-complex and still allows robust operation under given circumstances. Vehicle dynamics simulations with energetic considerations are carried out for dimensioning of the battery system. As a result, vehicle parameters are derived which can be used in the further planning of a prototype retrofit.

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