29.09.15
LU converts Tube waste energy into enough power to run large stations
A five-week London Underground (LU) trial using latest technology to collect waste energy from Tube train brakes captured enough power to run a large station, as well as decreased the amount of heat generated by trains braking in tunnels.
The trial used the new ‘inverter’ system at the Cloudesley Road substation on the Victoria Line to recover energy, which, within one week of operation, was already enough to run a station the size of Holborn for more than two days per week.
It concluded that 1 Megawatt hour of energy can be captured per day – or enough to power 104 homes yearly.
The technology could “allow LU to tap into previously inaccessible resource” to reduce its carbon footprint and save almost £6m every year.
The reduced heat generated by trains braking in tunnels would also reduce the energy needed to operate LU’s cooling systems, making the network more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Chris Tong, LU’s head of power and cooling, said: “This state-of-the-art regenerative braking system has the potential to transform how we power stations across the TfL network, unlocking massive power savings and significantly reducing our energy bills.
“We are committed to doing more to reduce our energy use, and this technology – a world first for metro railways – is one of a number of innovations we’re embracing to lower our environmental impact.”
The results observed on the Victoria Line ‘inverter’ trial are a “stepping stone” to other projects designed to maximise efficiency and electricity used on the LU network.
It also follows similar measures put in place within the TfL network, including an overhaul of the Greenwich Power Station to transform it into a low-carbon power generator for the Tube network by replacing boilers with six new gas engines.