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.
Read the full story: Barcelona subway recycles energy from braking into power to charge electric cars
Electric Caltrain Will Earn $1 Million/Year Returning Power to the Grid
The train returns 23% of the power it generates to the state’s grid, powering homes and businesses along its route.
Facing Federal Funding Freeze, NJ Transit Revises Zero-emission Plan
The agency is retooling a plan to modernize its aging bus depots after the Trump administration decided to freeze nearly $324 million in grants.
US Transit Fleets Have Bought Over 8,000 Zero-emission Buses
The number of zero-emission transit vehicles grew by 16 percent between 2024 and 2025.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority