Energy created when trains brake is harnessed to power the trains themselves, station infrastructure, and street-level electric car chargers.
The Barcelona subway is using power harnessed from braking train cars to power its stations, trains, and even other electric vehicles.
As Joseph Wilson explains in an Associated Press article, the MetroCharge regenerative braking project is in place at 16 stations. An electric motor captures energy that would otherwise be released as heat.
One innovation of the Barcelona system is its use of generated power locally, making it more efficient. The system estimates it will recover the 7.3 million Euros spent on the system in four years as it saves on energy costs. The regenerative system creates enough energy to fully power 28 of the 163 Barcelona metro stations.
FULL STORY: Barcelona subway recycles energy from braking into power to charge electric cars
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DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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US High Speed Rail Association
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