The transportation sector moves billions of goods and people every year but also accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. To tackle this dual challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), developed an Action Plan for Rail Energy and Emissions Innovation. See the document: An Action Plan for Rail Energy and Emissions Innovation.
AmePower is proud to be featured as an industry expert in this action plan for rail energy and emissions innovation. Specifically, our capabilities in retrofitting existing diesel-electric locomotives were highlighted as a cost-effective and impactful solution to advancing sustainability in the rail sector.
AmePower's Role in Rail Electrification
Diesel-electric locomotives are the backbone of rail transport, yet they contribute significantly to emissions. Retrofitting these locomotives with dual-power capabilities, such as containerized battery or hydrogen tenders, can drastically reduce their environmental footprint. AmePower’s propulsion converter technology is at the heart of this transformation, enabling seamless integration of new energy sources with existing power control systems.
Its propulsion converter retrofits provide a practical and scalable solution to modernizing the rail fleet while cutting down on capital expenditures and infrastructure costs to decarbonize operations. The benefits extend beyond decarbonization—modular battery systems can also serve as grid assets during electricity shortages, enhancing energy resilience.
In addition to retrofitting existing fleet to hybridize diesel-electric locomotives, AmePower has developed a highly efficient converter for fully electric locomotives, maximizing energy and increasing reliability. Enabling these electric locomotives with the advanced technology needed to sustain operations well into the future and support these zero emissions fleets to accelerate decarbonization.
The Blueprint emphasizes modular and cross-sector solutions to minimize stranded assets as technology evolves. AmePower’s approach aligns perfectly with this vision. By designing versatile systems that can adapt to future energy breakthroughs, we’re ensuring long-term value and sustainability for rail operators and the communities they serve.
Technical Information
Output power: Up to 2.4 MW
Output voltage: 0–1100 VDC (AC output is also available)
Able to reach up to 65mph (105km/h)
Performance tested with loads up to 2,500 tons
Regenerative braking back to the battery, effective at speeds as low as 3 mph
According to performance data, AmePower's Converter achieves a 50% reduction in fuel consumption
Looking Ahead
As this Action Plan takes shape, AmePower remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that drive decarbonization while strengthening the U.S. transportation sector’s global competitiveness. Our award-winning expertise accelerates emissions reductions in the rail sector, providing reliable, efficient solutions developed in the U.S.A.
Interested in AmePower's converters? Contact our sales team sales@amepower.com
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