Caltrain’s electric fleet is more efficient than expected

Caltrain informed their monthly board of directors that regenerative braking with new trains creates and sends back to the electric grid of approximately 23% of the energy used in the system. The new electrical trains exceeded the original Caltrain projections, which were a good news for a public agency holding forward as a core value.

Original estimates worth and approximately $ 19.5 million per year, using electrain electric use since the electric service launches 207 mwh on weekends, convergent or the estimated cost of $ 16.5 million. With the agency awaiting approximately $ 6 million per year of energy credits from the California Air Resources Board, the first year of electricity service has been lower than the previous service in diesel. Currently, Caltrain gives that power to the grid free of charge because no legal requirements for the agency to be paid for energy generated.

Regenerative braking is a technology first identified by electrical trains in 1886. They work by turning an electric motor to remove energy instead of losing it as heat during braking. Caltrain fleet is designed to return that power overhead contact system (OCS), which feeds it to the nearest facility of traction power. From there, it can be used to operate other trains in the system or return to the grid.

“Caltrain runs its service to 100% renewed energy and returns to almost a quarter of that grid force,” says Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain Executive Director. “The new electric fleet gives his promise to the state-of-the-art service, following our mission to provide lasting transportation that can improve the quality of life for everyone.”

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Regarding Caltrain: Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides train service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Served in the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continuously moving western Mississippi train system and the first railroad that changes from diesel to the electricity of a generation.

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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492