Description
Although there are some energy recovery systems for railways already in existence, for example regenerative braking systems, it is still possible to take better advantage of the energy losses that occur during the movement of railways to improve transport efficiency, thereby enabling new applications to improve user safety and comfort. The objective of this project is to develop an energy harvesting system able to convert part of the mechanical energy losses generated during train circulation into electrical energy ready to be use in safety applications. To achieve this objective, mechanical losses produced in railways (mechanical stresses, vibrations) will be analyzed and modeled to develop a device, based on magnetostrictive materials, able to convert these mechanical losses into electrical energy ready to be use in safety applications.The developed prototypes will be installed in a test section to validate the performance and viability of the system. The possibility to recover part of energy losses produced in the railways could allow highly significant energy savings while improving transport safety.
Summary of project results
The main objective of this project is to develop an energy harvesting system able to convert part of the mechanical energy losses generated during train circulation into electricity. To achieve this objective, mechanical losses produced in railways (mechanical stresses, vibrations) were analyzed and modeled to develop a device, based magnetostrictive materials, able to convert these mechanical losses into electrical energy ready to be use in safety applications. Finally, the developed prototypes were installed in a test section to validate the performance an viability of the system. Due to teh large number of railways displayed in Europe and the wide use of this means of transport, the possibility to recover part of energy losses produced
Summary of bilateral results