Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corp (TISS) has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) — a major engineering, procurement and construction operator in India — to deliver eight sets of traction energy storage systems (TESS) (seven 2MW units and one 500kW unit) for the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 in Bangladesh. Deliveries are due to begin in the second half of this year.

TESS uses battery technology to store energy from braking trains and re-use it to power accelerating trains. It can also be used as a train emergency power supply during power failure. SCiB, a long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery developed by Toshiba, is used as the storage medium.

To date, TISS has delivered TESS to various Japanese railway operators, for use on commuter rail, metro, monorail and light rail transit systems. This will be its first overseas TESS delivery. The population of Dhaka City (the capital of Bangladesh) has grown to over 15 million, leading to increased traffic congestion and severe air pollution.

MRT Line-6 is one of the first urban electrified railway lines in Bangladesh developed to help solve the issue of pollution. It will have 16 stations along about 20km of elevated tracks, extending from the north of Dhaka City to the south.