T putting stop to some energy costs
The T plans to literally apply the brakes to some of its energy usage.
The MBTA is planning to install technology onto its subway trains that captures some of the energy released when a train uses its brakes, according to a news release from state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and state Rep. Keiko Orrall.
The T has come to an agreement with Helix Power Corp. of Somerville for the tech organization to begin to collect data on the trains in advance of creating the energy-capture system.
The agreement is to build out a full test over the next three years. Helix, which is using millions of dollars in grants from foundations and New York State as it works on its “flywheel” technology, will receive and study data on train movements.
The T believes this could save 30 to 50 percent of the train’s energy usage, and particularly would help the system contain energyusage spikes during rush hour.
The flywheel technology charges up by taking in a megawatt of energy in 90 seconds, stores it temporarily and then releases that energy in the same time span to help the train accelerate. “Controlling carbon emissions from the transportation sector has been challenging, but this agreement represents an opportunity for the MBTA to accomplish major goals like reducing energy consumption, dampening pressure on fares and dedicating savings to capital equipment improvements that can help the entire system,” said Tarr (RGloucester), who along with Orrall (R-Lakeville) set up the meetings between the company and state officials.
The T currently is the state’s largest electricity consumer.
Flywheels are mechanisms that can store rotational energy. Matthew Lazarewicz, founder and president of Helix, called his company’s creation an “extreme energy management tool.”
“Implementation on the MBTA has the potential to manage high energy fluctuations, save energy being wasted and reduce greenhouse gases at an accelerated rate,” Lazarewicz said.
Imre Gyuk, director of energy storage research for the U.S. Department of Energy, said, “Flywheel technology with its ultrafast response is ideally suited to act as a buffer between the electric grid and urban rail.”