Experts in California are exploring battery-electric trains as a potential energy storage solution for the U.S. power grid, according to an article in Nature Energy.
Researchers at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are studying battery storage for improved reliability during bad weather and sporadic power supply.
According to the researchers, the battery systems have the potential to function as a nationwide backup transmission grid. This would allow saved power to be shared among regions, meet demand peaks, and alleviate transmission congestion.
Researchers stated in the article abstract that deploying rail-based mobile energy storage (RMES) for such events could save the power sector upwards of US$300 per kW-year for new transmission lines and US$85 per kW-year for stationary battery capacity. There are no known technical barriers that prevent RMES from participating in the grid. However, in order to deploy RMES on a large scale, it is important to address interconnection challenges and revise regulatory frameworks.
Exploring the Potential of Rail Battery Storage for the US Power Grid
Because the United States’ train network is so big, it can be a good alternative: Researchers say that the network covers 137,000 miles and is made up of rights of way and private land in some of the most populated and transmission-congested places. They also said that the capacity of one train’s batteries, which is one gigawatt-hour, is the same as the weight capacity of a thousand semis.
More study is needed on real-world freight schedule limits before taking this idea seriously. It also needs to be proven that rail battery storage is an effective solution for overcoming transmission limits.
The North American freight train industry wants to use alternative energy for locomotives. They are considering using battery systems for energy storage.
Can electricity be added to the freight train network? The buildings at ports are particularly affected.
Final Wording
In conclusion, scientists in California are studying the feasibility of using battery systems from battery-electric trains for large-scale energy storage. Researchers at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are studying battery storage for improved reliability during bad weather and sporadic power supply. Saved energy from battery systems can be sent to other places to meet demand peaks and reduce transportation congestion.
Overall, this news could have a positive impact on the trucking and logistics industry because it could lead to a cheaper and more stable energy grid. Moreover, Stay ahead of the curve with Lading Logistics! Contact us today to learn how we can help optimize your logistics operations.
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