Recent Trend of Regenerative Energy Utilization in Traction Power Supply System in Japan

Abstract

Abstract In 2006, the first Lithium-ion battery in Japan was installed in traction power supply system by the West Japan Railway Company and now more than 20 energy storage systems have already been installed in traction power supply system in Japan. In this article, the recent Japanese trends of regenerative energy utilization are summarized not only in DC railway but also in AC railway. We, East Japan Railway Company, have installed three energy storage systems for DC railway and one railway static power conditioner (RPC), not energy storage system, for AC railway for regenerative energy utilization. The effects of these systems are also shown quantitatively in this paper.

Keywords

• Regenerative energy
• Electric railway
• DC railway
• AC traction power supply
• Energy storage system
• Railway static power converter