SWU streetcar project with SAE technology in Ulm

A lot of preparatory work had to be done before Line 2 of the Ulm streetcars could be put into operation on December 8, 2018. The line runs from Theodor-Heuss-Platz via Eselsberg to Science Park II and has been very well received by the citizens of Ulm since its inauguration. To ensure that the operation runs smoothly and can be constantly monitored, some SAE technology has also been installed.

Connection to central network control center

Planning began back in 2016 with the conversion of the energy control centre and the associated conversion of the communication protocol from IEC 60870-5-101 to IEC 60870-5-104. Construction of Line 2 then began in 2017. The integration of SAE telecontrol technology was a key element in controlling and monitoring the grid right from the start. To this end, the entire telecontrol technology at stops and points was renewed and expanded. Provisional operation of Line 2 then began in 2018. Some systems had not yet been completed and parts of the network had to be expanded further. With the completion of the connection to the central network control center in 2020, the new Line 2 was fully integrated into the streetcar network.

Control via service PC

The SAE Expert Days 2021 make their first stop in Ulm. Guest speakers were Sebastian Grenzner, Head of Telecontrol Technology at Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm Netze GmbH, and his colleagues Christian Miller-Winterscheidt and Pierre Tominac, who gave an interesting presentation on the telecontrol connection of streetcar lines 1 and 2. As hospitable as the people of Ulm are, they invited the SAE team to visit the control center and the streetcar control center the following day.

On site in Ulm was SAE project engineer Sebastian Londa, who completed the project to integrate the visualization of stops, points and lubrication systems. The rail network can be monitored and controlled in real time via a centrally positioned monitor. The fill levels of the lubrication system can also be checked and the rail heating system operated.

Over 330 telecontrol devices in total

Over 50 SAE telecontrol units are installed in the transport sector, which includes the streetcars. In the electricity sector, a good 200 devices are also used to monitor and control the EEG systems. A further 80 telecontrol stations are installed for additional applications, such as on the premises of Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm Netze GmbH. During our visit, we took a closer look at a very highly installed FW-5-GATE-4G.