Possibility of energy saving by introducing energy conversion and energy storage technologies in traction power supply system

After the 3.11 earthquake in Tohoku district in Japan, energy saving and renewable energy utilization become one of the important problems in Japan. East Japan Railway Company, as a public transportation company, tries to contribute to solve these problems by realizing eco-friendly railway transportation system. In this paper, three realized and under construction projects are summarized which enhance efficiency of traction power supply system. First project is installation of lithium ion battery at Haijima Substation on February 20th, 2013 to make use of regenerative power in d.c. traction power supply. Second project is the power conversion application to be installed at Ushiku sectioning post for a.c. traction power supply and will start operation in the end of 2013 fiscal year. The last project but not least one is “zero-emission station” realized at Hiraizumi Station on June 28th, 2013. The total electric power of the station is supplied from solar power even in the evening using lithium ion batteries. The detail of the operation data of “zero emission station” is shown in this paper.