London’s Transport for London is testing a new system that can collect energy from trains braking. According to a spokesman of TfL, the new system should be able the power a large underground station two days a week.
How does this new regenerative braking technology work?
The new braking system converts kinetic energy into electricity. TfL set up a “inverter” near Cloudesely Road from where they send the created electricity to another station.
Up to 1 MWh off electric power can be collected per day, according to TfL. In savings that means that London’s Tube will be able to cut up to 5% of its energy bill.
However, the system has another beneficial effect. The new brakes will be reducing the amount of heat that is normally generated by the trains braking. This means that it will require less energy to operate the Tube’s cooling system. It may even have a positive effect in the summertime, making commuting in London more tolerable on hot days!