Flywheel technology generates DMU fuel savings – Technology developed for Formula 1 motor racing is being tested in a DMU application under project DDFlyTrain. The project used flywheels that could result in a fuel saving of around 10%. Keith Barrow says the benefits may even extend beyond diesel trains by having dc electrified line applications in southern England. “Network power capacity constraints can place restrictions on the number of trains allowed to operate in some areas. Here the use of flywheels could reduce current demand on the power grid as a train starts, thereby increasing the effective capacity of the electrification system.” Technology worth keeping an eye on considering that Network Rail is already the biggest consumer of power in the UK, with electrification plans set to dramatically increase the load.
We read it in: International Railway Journal, July 2015, page 39
