Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself using gravity (2022)

Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by Gare on Monday July 31, 2023 @11:54AM (#36944530)

Electric trains and trams in Europe already have regen braking. And no need for batteries!

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Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by adjav on Monday July 31, 2023 @12:24PM (#36945004)

Yeah, but that does require a fair bit of additional infrastructure, running overhead wires and having it connected to the power grid. Makes sense in populated areas, but for mining trains in Australia, potentially 1000s of kms from the nearest city? This seems like a reasonable alternative

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Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by surfmike on Monday July 31, 2023 @11:59AM (#36944627)

How does that work without batteries? Where does the energy go?

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Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by ljf on Monday July 31, 2023 @12:02PM (#36944675)

Back into the power grid.

Quote: When regenerative braking is employed, the current in the electric motors is reversed, slowing down the train. At the same time, the electro motors generate electricity to be returned to the power distribution system

https://www.ctc-n.org/technologies/regenerative-braking-trai...

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Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by AndrewDucker on Monday July 31, 2023 @12:03PM (#36944698)

I assume it goes into the grid. Possibly to other trains that need the power right then.

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Re:Battery-electric “Infinity Train” will charge itself usin... by blacksmith_tb on Monday July 31, 2023 @10:10PM (#36951509)

The light rail MAX trains in Portland use regen braking without batteries, as one train is slowing it's generating power for other trains that are in motion[1].

1: https://www.wired.com/2013/06/portland-light-rail/

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