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Electric vehicle charging installation using this braking energy recovery system
Accelerators, Magnets, and Power Electrical Systems
P-093
System for the re-use of reclaimed energy in railway networks for charging electric vehicles
Abstract
CIEMAT presents a system designed to take advantage of the electrical energy regenerated by a train during its braking as well as the energy available in the catenary, to supply it to electric vehicles. This system allows an optimal management of electrical energy, not only facilitating the maintenance of the electrical installations linked to these trains, but also taking advantage of this energy for electric vehicles of the public or private sector, adapting to the needs of the environment.
What problems does it solve?
Currently, urban railway systems-such as metros and trams-generate a significant amount of energy during train braking. However, this regenerative energy is rarely utilized beyond the railway system itself, as it can only be reused by other trains in the same network if there is a spatial and temporal coincidence in energy demand.
At the same time, the growing use of electric vehicles-whether private or public service vehicles such as buses, taxis, motorcycles, or urban delivery vans-is driving the transition from fossil fuels to electric energy storage systems, primarily batteries.
This shift toward electric mobility is creating an increasing demand for charging points, particularly for high-power fast charging. However, in many cases, urban electrical grids are not equipped to handle this additional demand without significant infrastructure investments, such as increasing contracted power capacity or building new substations.
Benefits
• It creates a more efficient system with lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact: Other electric vehicle charging technologies rely on the general power grid, which involves additional energy consumption and associated costs. This invention harnesses the regenerative energy produced by urban train braking, making use of an existing and free energy source.
• It enables more flexible and efficient energy management: This invention includes an energy storage system that allows the regenerated energy to be stored and used later - for example, to charge an electric vehicle at a later time.
• It promotes energy intermodality, which is key to smart city and sustainable mobility strategies.
Potential customers
• Urban railway operators
• Public administrations and local governments
• E-mobility companies and operators
• Urban energy infrastructure managers
About the technology
• Technology demonstrated in a real-world environment.
• Technology patented. Patent jointly with Metro de Madrid, S.A. Universidad Pontificia Comillas and Sistemas de Computación y Automática General, S.A.
• Collaboration requested: License agreement.