Kinetic Traction Systems - Energy Storage and Voltage Support Systems for Rail Traction Systems

Kinetic Traction Systems' (KTSi) advanced flywheel energy storage systems are revolutionizing the way electric rail systems manage energy.

Flywheel energy storage systems for the railway industry

KTSi designs, manufactures and markets advanced flywheel energy storage systems that absorb and regenerate power for rail voltage stabilization and regenerative power recycling applications.

Designed to provide high power output and energy storage in a compact, self-contained package, KTSi rail energy storage products are a long-lasting, low-maintenance and environmentally sound addition to conventional rail traction power systems.

High-speed flywheel technology for rail traction power

KTSi focuses exclusively on energy management for rail traction power, where our proven high-speed flywheel technology delivers:

• Performance: KTSi high-speed flywheel systems increase the efficiency and capacity of electric rail by making clean power instantly available to trains, stabilizing voltage in remote areas and reducing stress on mechanical and electrical systems
• Cost-effectiveness: KTSi flywheel systems are faster to deploy, require significantly lower capital expenditures than traditional substations and support peak power demands at far lower cost. Regenerated braking energy is captured, stored and reused to save energy and produce energy savings
  Sustainability: KTSi flywheel systems recapture and regenerate energy and produce no emissions or hazardous waste
• Reliability: tested and proven KTSi systems can deliver in excess of 1,000 charge-discharge cycles per day for 20 years with minimal maintenance
• Safety: KTSi wayside energy storage systems have a demonstrated safety record and completely isolate passengers from any mechanical or electrical hazards

Superior flywheel performance for traction power

Flywheel energy storage systems absorb and release energy efficiently and quickly, making them perfect for wayside rail applications. Key features include:

• GTR 200kW modules, >5ms 0DC to full load output for 26s
• High duty cycle (up to 70%); for short headways, no degradation over time
• Highly symmetrical charge and discharge profile > fast charge from regeneration
• 570VDC-900VDC, <2VDC ripple (1,000VDC-1,500VDC options available)
• High-voltage AC rail applications available with added converter and transformer
• High-strength, long-lasting carbon-fiber flywheel
• Maintenance-free bearings
• Small footprint and high power density
• Operating range: 32°F to 104°F
• Precise state-of-charge readouts
• Long lasting (20+ years)
• Low maintenance and simple annual service
• Flexible sizing and installation with new line or retrofit
• Parallel operation; available in 400kW to 4MW blocks (up to 8MW integrated systems)

KTSi GTR flywheel technology solves the problem of the availability of a robust and proven energy storage technology that can do the job. Today's battery technologies can't meet the heavy-duty cycling and long lifecycle requirements for mass transit. Ultra-capacitor cells are limited in energy capacity and introduce thousands of points of failure.

Trackside energy storage systems for optimizing rail operations

Today greater demand is being placed on rail traction power systems. New trains are more powerful and have regenerative braking capabilities. In addition, ridership is increasing and transit agencies are seeking to operate with shorter headways and longer trains.

Trackside energy storage systems provide the added capacity to optimize your investment in rolling stock and improve ridership. By capturing the regenerative braking energy and then using it when needed to accelerate, you'll save energy, eliminate under and over-voltage conditions and cut the use of resistor banks, which waste regenerative energy and provide unwanted heat in stations and underground structures.

Flywheel energy storage substations

Individual flywheel systems are connected in parallel to match traction power and rolling stock specifications. The flywheel systems, cooling system, inductor-filter, breakers and distribution panels can be designed into a prefabricated energy storage substation solution.

KTSi energy storage substations can tie directly to the DC rail, simplifying installation and offering location flexibility. These systems can also be used for temporary power during traction power system maintenance or emergency situations.

The flywheels are modular systems for retrofit and flexible configuration in existing substation buildings or for incorporation in new system designs.

Flywheel systems with self-diagnostic capabilities

KTSi GTR flywheel systems have been designed to have redundancy, remote monitoring, fail safe and self-diagnostic capabilities. The systems feature components and subsystems which have millions of hours of problem-free operation. These systems have been tested and operated by some of the world's leading transit agencies.

KTSi supports the product from the initial specification and application engineering through to installation, commissioning, service and maintenance. KTSi provides service programs and contracts for worldwide factory and technical support. The GTR flywheel systems are backed by a two-year parts and labor warranty.

Green energy storage system for rail traction power applications

KTSi flywheel energy storage systems offer the ultimate flexible solution for transit agencies, engineering firms and rail equipment suppliers looking for a sustainable solution for a rail traction power application.