SEPTA Advances Energy Efficiency Goals with Unique Hybrid Energy Storage System from ABB

Image Courtesy of ABB

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been awarded a new contract by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) to install a second ENVILINETM energy storage and recovery system for DC rail transportation. The system will be ABBs second on SEPTA property.

Train Braking Energy Recovery

The second system will incorporate a hybrid approach to energy storage, enabling SEPTA to recover train braking energy to reduce the electricity consumption, while simultaneously generating revenues by participating in ancillary (micro-grid) services of the local Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The system will be installed at the Griscom Substation, located on SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line, its most heavily traveled route. The first system was installed successfully at the Letterly Substation, also along the Market-Frankford Line, in 2012.

ABB, Viridity Energy and Saft Battery partnered with SEPTA to deploy a first system in 2012. The storage systems are unique, because they benefit both the train system and the local electricity grid. We achieve energy savings and monthly revenues from frequency regulation support. Given this success, we were encouraged to move forward with a second project, and selected ABB following an open request for proposal process, said Dave Montvydas, SEPTA manager, Power Engineering.

This time, we will go one step further and deploy a hybrid energy storage system, by combining super capacitors with batteries. We will recover more braking energy, produce higher revenues from the frequency regulation, and extend the battery life. This innovation demonstrates the full capability and flexibility of our ENVILINE platform, says Jacques Poulin, ENVILINE product manager, ABB.

ABB has a proven track record for providing innovative solutions and this repeat order confirms our ability to become a partner and supplier of choice to operators of modern rail systems, says Chris Poynter, vice president and general manager, Discrete Automation and Motion Division, ABB.

ENVILINE is a complete line of power, protection and energy management equipment for DC traction power substations. The line includes braking energy recovery systems, which recycles otherwise wasted energy by storing and recycling, or by returning it back on the AC network. For additional details, refer to www.abb.com/enviline.

SEPTA (www.septa.org) is a transportation authority, serving the Philadelphia region. It operates a fully multi-modal transit system, including bus, subway and elevated rail, commuter rail, trolley/light rail, high-speed rail and electric trolley bus. SEPTA is the sixth largest public transit agency in the United States, with a daily ridership of more than one million.