Rail brake energy recovery system could cut fuel costs by 20%
Engineering consultancy Ricardo has entered into a collaboration with fluid power specialist Artemis and rail technology firm Bombardier Transportation to develop a next generation rail brake energy recovery system for diesel commuter trains.
The project, which is being backed with funding from the Technology Strategy Board, aims to realise a cost effective on-board mechanical energy storage system based on Artemis' Digital Displacement hydraulic pump motor and Ricardo's Kinergy flywheel high energy density storage system.
The combined technology is expected to offer operating fuel savings of between 10 and 20%.
"While we are already evaluating the Kinergy in a commercial bus application, this project will be the first to deploy this very promising, cost effective and efficient mechanical energy storage technology in a rail application," said Ricardo's head of rail vehicle technology, Jim Buchanan.
"Combined with the Artemis high efficiency hydraulic transmission technology and Bombardier's established position as a leader in rail vehicle design and construction, I believe that this project has the potential to demonstrate a highly compelling fuel saving and performance enhancing solution, equally applicable to retro-fit installation or incorporation in new rolling stock."
