Could IPEMU Trains Use KERS?
I have just read this article on The Business Desk, which is entitled Torotrak’s bus KERS system gets all-clear. The article starts like this.
Torotrak, a developer and supplier of emissions reduction and fuel efficiency technology in vehicles, and Wrightbus are celebrating the successful completion of the in-service trial of the Flybrid mechanical kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for buses.
The trial was conducted with Arriva, one of the largest bus operators in the UK.
It must have been successful, as other reports say Torotrak shares have risen and the company is expected to start production of the Flybrid KERS in 2016.
I’m probably not the only engineer, who’s wondering, whether the technology can have applications with trains.
My one regret is that I only bought a thousand pounds worth of shares in the company.
The Anonymous Widower 
Of course. If they use regenerative braking then where is the juice going to go, but back into the batteries.
RMC
PS if they just turn it into heat it is called rheostatic braking.
Comment by Mark Clayton | January 6, 2016 |
Liverpool has already said it wants to buy trains as efficient as possible, which will have regenerative brraking charging up batteries.
Batteries could be replaced by KERS.
If the trains have to feed the electricity back into the track, that has to be modified, so IPEMUs may mean less track costs.
Figures of over 10% more efficient have been quoted.
IPEMUs are particularly suited to Liverpol, as they can reach Wrexham, Preston via Ormskirk and Manchester via Kirkby, with no extra wires.
Comment by AnonW | January 6, 2016 |
IPEMU Talk
27 January 2016 17:45 – 19:30
Status: Limited Spaces
Free to attend
http://nearyou.imeche.org/eventdetail?id=11132
The Independently Powered Electric Multiple-Unit (IPEMU) project is a battery-powered train that entered trial passenger service in Essex, UK, in January 2015. The prototype rail project is UK’s first modern battery-powered train and was established to demonstrate the potential of a battery / electric hybrid EMU in passenger service. The presentation will give an overview of the Project and will outline what the IPEMU is and how it will help deliver the Rail Technical Strategy
Speaker(s)
James joined BR as an apprentice at Derby Loco Works before moving to the RTC. He later worked for Regional Railways and NSE before working abroad. On his return to UK he was appointed depot manager at Betchley before joining NR in 2012
Carriage Shop – Derby
Derby Roundhouse
Roundhouse Road
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8JE
Comment by rapidtransitman | January 26, 2016 |
[…] I have a feeling that traditional battery storage is not the best way to handle this application, as it is one that could be met by a larger version of the KERS system used in Formula One. KERS has already been applied successfully to buses, and I wrote about that in Could IPEMU Trains Use KERS? […]
Pingback by Will London Overground Fit On-board Energy Storage To Class 378 Trains? « The Anonymous Widower | March 7, 2016 |