Energy

Article 6
The promises of hybridisation
Rail & Recherche n°40 - July/August/September 2006

Today’s locomotives have a generator unit, that supplies all the power required by a motor unit. Hybridisation consists in separating the generator unit from the motor unit with a buffer, which has two functions: recycling energy and smoothing out power demands. An energy management unit decides how to divide power between the motor and storage units.
The aim of the PLATHEE project is to diversify the power sources. The generator unit and the storage unit may supply power either synchronously or asynchronously. The storage unit can thus become the sole power source, thereby providing temporary autonomy.
By broadening the concept of hybridisation, the catenary power supply can function as a source of electrical energy in much the same way as an electric generator or fuel cell does. This is one way that electric traction can benefit from the advances in energy management technology.