Research and innovation

R+D, we work to get ahead of the needs of a constantly evolving sector

At CAF Power & Automation we research and innovate to keep ahead of changes and to meet the needs of the railway sector. We design future solutions framed in an ambitious technological and product development plan which drives cooperation and research with companies, universities and technology centres.

Technological platforms

CAF Power has engineers specialising in power electronics, automation and communications. We focus our research and innovation on the development and continual improvement of our platforms:

  • TRAM PLATFORM
  • EMUS-DMUS PLATFORM
  • METRO PLATFORM
  • LOCOMOTIVES PLATFORM
  • HIGH SPEED PLATFORM
  • TCMS PLATFORM
  • COMMUNICATION PLATFORM
  • ENERGY ACCUMULATION PLATFORM

A permanent contact with the railway market and with our customers sets the basis of continual improvement in our platforms, to offer maximum performance and reliability.

European projects

The world moves at high speed. New habits, new ideas, profound changes in the way we communicate, get around, make progress.

Therefore, CAF Power & Automation collaborates in European projects in which we present and share knowledge with other companies in the railway sector.

We are currently taking part in the following projects:

Shift2Rail Programme (2016-2021)

shift 2 rail

CAF Power within the Shift2Rail programme and founded by EU takes part in the following international projects:

  • PINTA (2016-2018) - IP1 Traction TD1 and Brakes TD5 – Phase 1
  • PINTA2 (2018-2021) - IP1 Traction TD1 and Brakes TD5 – Phase 2
  • PINTA3 (2020- 2023) - IP1 Traction TD1 – Phase 3 and HVAC TD8
  • CONNECTA (2016-2018) CONtributing to Shift2Rail's NExt generation of high Capable and safe TCMS and brAkes. Phase 1
  • CONNECTA 2 (2018 – 2021) CONtributing to Shift2Rail's NExt generation of high Capable and safe TCMS. PhAse 2
  • CONNECTA 3 (2020-2023) CONtributing to Shift2Rail's NExt generation of high Capable and safe TCMS PhAse 3
  • FFL4E (2016-2018) Future Freight Loco for Europe
  • FR8HUB(2017 – 2021) - Real time information applications and energy efficient solutions for rail freight
  • FR8RAIL3 (2019 – 2023) - Smart data-based assets and efficient rail freight operation
  • PIVOT-2 (2019 – 2023) - Performance Improvement for Vehicles on Track 2

Roll2Rail Programme (2015-2017)

roll to rail

The results of Roll2Rail will help increase operating reliability and reduce life cycle costs.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the IKERLAN technology centre, resulting in a converter based on silicon carbide semiconductors (SiC). This solution makes it possible to increase energy efficiency by 50%, and reduce volume by 30% and by 20% in weight compared to current devices. More information on our Youtube channel.

ESTEFI (2015-2018)

cdti

estefi

 

The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), in its strategic program CIEN has decided to give a financial support to the project ESTEFI “Development of efficient and sustainable intermodal transport station”.

The objective in ESTEFI is to develop a new and optimized intermodal transport station for urban areas (for tramways, e-buses, electric vehicles and lifts) integrating the cutting-edge technology in energy storage systems.

Merlin (2013-2015)

Merlin

Sustainable and intelligent energy management for the optimisation of railway systems in Europe: an integrated optimisation approach.

Osiris (2012-2014)

osiris

Energy consumption innovation and reduction strategy.

Trend (2011-2013)

trend

Electromagnetic compatibility test for interoperability between domains in railway vehicles.

 

Other Projects

FEDER EGEF Custom

eusko jaurlaritza logo

The project MAES - Advanced Modeling of safety and efficiency control critical systems in vertical and rail transport, with file number ZE-2020/00033, has been cofunded by the Basque Gobernment and FEDER Founds of the European Union through HAZITEK 2020 program of Society for Competitive Transformation (SPRI, S.A.).


FEDER EGEF Custom

eusko jaurlaritza logo

The project MOD4TRAC - Development of a modular traction system for Metros, with file number ZL-2018/00558 and ZL-2019/00183, has been cofunded by the Basque Gobernment and FEDER Founds 2014-2020 of the European Union. HAZITEK program to help the development of the R&D of Basque companies.


Ministerio de industria, turismo y comercio

Plan avanza2

The R+D project called ON-BOARD SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT FOR FIELD BUSES AND ITS DIAGNOSIS ANALISYS SYSTEM EXPERT, file number TSI-020100-2011-374, has been funded by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce under its National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation 2008-2011.


Ministerio de industria, turismo y comercio

Plan avanza2

The project called FIXED AND ON BOARD PLATFORM FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT PROVISION INTO RAILWAY INDUSTRY, file number TSI-020110-2009-159, has been funded by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce under its National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation 2008-2011.


Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Unión Europea - Fondo Europeo de desarrollo regional

One of our projects called ENERGETIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR RAILWAYS APPLICATIONS - SIENER, file number IPT-370000-2010-15, has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, with the collaboration of FEDER founds, under its National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation 2008-2011.


Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

EUROCIVIS – TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EUROPEAN SUBURBAN TRAINS, IPT-2011-1149-370000, has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, under its National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation 2008-2011.


SafeCerArtemis

Ministerio de industria, energía y turismo

Unión Europea

The Safety Certification of Software-Intensive Systems with Reusable Components (SafeCer), file number ART-010000-2012-008, has been funded by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism and the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking, under the ARTEMIS-2011 framework.