Regenerative braking as a tool for improving energy efficiency and sustainable development of rail transport

Abstract

Regenerative braking makes it possible to return part of the kinetic energy of the rolling stock to the traction network and thereby reduce the total electricity consumption of railway transport. The use of recuperation on the railway is one of the key areas for improving energy efficiency and sustainable development of modern railway transport. Electricity recovery consists in converting the kinetic energy of a train during braking into electrical energy, followed by its return to the catenary network or accumulation in energy storage systems. In the process of regenerative braking, traction electric motors operate in generator mode, which reduces the total power consumption and reduces heat loss characteristic of rheostat braking.