On Jan. 15, Pentadyne Power Corporation announced the launch of a series of high-duty cycle containerized energy storage and voltage support products for the commuter rail industry.
The company said its PowerBlockTM systems, which range in capacity from 1 to 8 megawatts, can provide high-voltage support to overtaxed sections of electric rail systems and also capture and store the regenerative braking energy of rail cars for subsequent reuse.
The systems charge from the third rail or catenary system, absorbing and storing regenerative energy as each train slows into a station. That stored energy can then be used to help trains accelerate from the station. They can also keep voltage from sagging at problem areas of track, preventing slowdowns and limits on the number of cars per train.