New Way to Generate Energy from Trains on Rail Lines

 

About Topic In Short:
	Who: Institute Name - Virginia Tech, Authors - Mehdi Ahmadian and his team of researchers.
	What: Harvesting electromagnetic energy from moving trains using a railroad tie that collects the energy.
	How: By using piezoelectric transducers installed in the railroad ties which convert mechanical strain energy into electrical energy.

Introduction:

As the need for sustainable energy grows, alternative energy sources are being explored. Research shows that moving trains generate electromagnetic energy that can be converted into electricity. This article explains the process of harvesting this energy. 

The Concept of Energy Harvesting:

Moving objects generate energy that can be converted into electricity through electromagnetic induction. As trains move on rail lines, they produce electromagnetic fields that can be captured and converted into electricity using specialized equipment. 

The Harvesting Process:

Special equipment is installed under the rail ties to capture the electromagnetic fields produced by the moving trains. The captured energy is then transmitted to a rectifier that converts it into DC power for use in various applications. 

Implementation of Technology:

The technology for harvesting electromagnetic energy is being implemented in several countries, including the United States, Japan, and China. Virginia Tech is one of the leading institutions researching this field, and Norfolk-Southern Railroad has allowed them to place a prototype on their rail line. 

Benefits of Technology:

The use of this technology can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation industry and provide a sustainable energy source. Train operators can reduce their energy bills by using the electricity produced to power various systems in their trains. The electricity produced can also be used to power smart rail technology, safety equipment, and communication systems. 

Author/Expert Opinion:

Mehdi Ahmadian, director of the Railway Technologies Laboratory at Virginia Tech, believes that this technology will become a commercial product in the near future. He also believes that it can provide a sustainable energy source for the transportation industry. 

Conclusion:

Harvesting electromagnetic energy from moving trains is a viable solution for providing sustainable energy for the transportation industry. This technology is being implemented worldwide and will become increasingly important as the world moves towards a more sustainable future.

Image Gallery

Yang Chen inspects an energy-harvesting rail in the Railway Technologies Laboratory.

The Closer-look at the spring action of typical Railway track.

Researchers at the Virginia Tech Center for Vehicle Systems and Safety (CVeSS) and the Railway Technologies Laboratory have created a new kind of crosstie that replaces the conventional wooden variety and is equipped to generate power from moving trains, transforming that energy into usable electricity, according to a report by The Roanoke Star.

The whole team in Laboratory with the prototype.

All Images Credit: from References/Resources sites [Internet]

Watch the Research in Action: the Video

Hashtag/Keyword/Labels:

#electromagneticenergy #harvestingenergy #movingtrains #renewableenergy #sustainability #energyefficiency

 

References/Resources:

Electronicsforu

VirginiaTech

Electricandhybridrail

Railwayage

Eepower

Wvtf

 

For more such blog posts visit Index page or click InnovationBuzz label. 

…till next post, bye-bye and take-care.