EIT InnoEnergy supported Skeleton will power Škoda trams in Mannheim

Skeleton Technologies will supply ultracapacitor systems to Škoda Electric for 114 trams. 

The EIT InnoEnergy supported technology will then be delivered by Škoda Transportation to Mannheim, Heidelberg and Ludwigshafen in Germany.

Ideal technology

EIT InnoEnergy supported start-up Skeleton Technologies is the European market leader for ultracapacitors and energy storage systems for transportation and grid applications. Their ultracapacitor system recuperates the braking energy of the trams and uses it for re-acceleration, saving energy and decreasing costs. Ultracapacitors are ideal for this application due to their high efficiency, reliability, and ability to recharge in seconds.

Skeleton Technologies brings the necessary quality mindset to critical applications. The highest power density and efficiency in the industry provides us with a very clear competitive advantage. We have worked together with Skeleton Technologies to develop the most efficient energy storage solution for modern trams, keeping in mind the power restrictions for grid infrastructure in a number of cities around Europe.

Stanislav Wizur, Škoda Electric Strategic Purchasing

Enabling smart city transportation systems

The Škoda Electric traction delivery to Škoda Transportation Mannheim project is further proof that Skeleton Technologies’ ultracapacitors will be the key enabler for smart city transportation systems in Germany and across the globe. The new system uses the most advanced ultracapacitor management software to increase the lifetime of the modules.

Škoda has an excellent track record in innovative and energy-efficient trams, and ultracapacitors are a perfect fit for the locomotive industry due to their ability to capture braking energy in seconds, their high efficiency, and their long lifetime. In 2019, we plan to make a public announcement for additional locomotive projects currently in the works. Projects like these show that we do not need to go to China or the United States for battery and ultracapacitor production. Skeleton has proven that energy storage manufacturing is alive and well in Europe, and European companies can work together to bring huge benefits to the European industry and market.

Taavi Madiberk, CEO, Skeleton Technologies