Battery Thermal Management System Selected for Grand Paris Express Maintenance Track Vehicle
DC Airco has been selected to supply its DC14005 Liquid Air Battery Thermal Management System for installation on a railway maintenance track vehicle operating within the Grand Paris Express project, one of Europe’s largest and most ambitious public transport infrastructure programs. The system will be integrated into a dedicated maintenance vehicle designed to support construction and long term operation of the new metro network. The DC14005 ensures reliable thermal control of onboard battery systems, supporting safe, efficient, and continuous operation in demanding urban railway environments. Advanced Battery Cooling for Modern Railway Maintenance Vehicles The DC14005 is a compact, high efficiency battery chiller developed specifically for mobile and rail certified applications. Installed on the Grand Paris Express maintenance vehicle, it maintains batteries at their optimal operating temperature, helping to maximize service life, ensure consistent power availability, and protect sensitive electrical systems from thermal stress.
The system features capacity controlled cooling from 2 to 6 kW, allowing it to adapt efficiently to varying load profiles during inspection, maintenance, and low speed operational tasks. Heat extracted from the batteries is discharged directly to the surrounding environment, eliminating the need for complex double coolant circuits and reducing overall system complexity.
Designed for Railway Infrastructure Projects
Urban infrastructure projects such as the Grand Paris Express place stringent demands on onboard systems. Maintenance vehicles must operate reliably in confined tunnels, construction zones, and surface sections, often under continuous duty cycles. The DC14005 is purpose built for such conditions, featuring a rugged railway grade design, integrated coolant flow sensor, and internal coolant filter to support long term operational reliability.
The system supports a 400 Vac three phase power supply as standard, with alternative dc voltage configurations available, and uses a 24 Vdc control interface. Communication via CANopen and Modbus TCP allows seamless integration into the vehicle’s control and diagnostic architecture.
Compliance with Railway Safety and Fire Standards
The DC14005 is fully railway certified, meeting key international standards required for rolling stock and rail vehicles used in public infrastructure projects. These include EN 61373 (Category 1 – Class B) for vibration and shock resistance, EN 45545 2 HL3 for fire protection, and EN 50121 3 2 for electromagnetic compatibility.
Its use of R134A non flammable A1 refrigerant, approved for mobile and railway battery cooling applications, further supports safe operation in underground and densely populated environments.
Supporting Sustainable Urban Mobility
The Grand Paris Express project is designed to transform public transport across the Paris metropolitan area, with strong emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and low emission operation. Battery powered maintenance vehicles play a key role in reducing local emissions and noise during construction and routine maintenance activities.
By ensuring stable thermal conditions for energy storage systems, the DC14005 contributes to improved battery efficiency, reduced downtime, and extended maintenance intervals—supporting the long term operational goals of the project.
A Proven Solution for Large Scale Rail Projects
The selection of the DC14005 for use on a Grand Paris Express maintenance vehicle highlights DC Airco’s expertise in railway certified thermal management solutions for both traction and auxiliary battery systems. Beyond conventional HVAC applications, the company continues to expand its portfolio to support electrification, hybridization, and energy storage across the rail sector.