Adif wants to charge electric cars using green energy from catenary
Adif has launched a tender for the possible installation of EV-charging points at 29 train stations in 15 provinces. Using a special system, the infrastructure manager aims to use green energy from the catenary to power the charging infrastructure.
The patented system is a result of one of Adif’s so-called R+D+i projects, a form of collaboration between the academia and the private sector. It enables the step down of high-voltage to lower voltage. The Spanish infrastructure manager is currently tapping potential partners for the installation of charging points, as wel as analysing which stations are suited for the construction of that infrastructure.
Using green energy from overhead lines and the energy harvested by a train’s regenerative braking system could be a boon to utility companies. With the increase in the number of electric vehicles, the power grid can become strained. Especially as they are plugged in at the same time and load balancing systems are absent.
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