Evaluation of CO2 emissions reduction in diesel-electric trains with advanced batteries

This work evaluates the contribution of batteries in the reduction of CO
2
emissions in trains disconnected from the electrical grid. A case study is taken from the 102 km line that will connect the cities of São Paulo and Campinas, in Brazil, for the transport of passengers, considering a train composed of a diesel-electric locomotive and four cars for passengers performing an express service, stopping at three cities. Seven simulations are performed, focused on varying the capacity of the battery system and the size of the diesel generator. The impact regarding the increase in the participation of batteries in the power system, simultaneously with the reduction of diesel generator capacity, reduced fuel consumption and CO
2
emissions by 9%. In addition, a proposal for the last recharge of batteries to be carried out using an external source less polluting than the diesel generator presented favorable results, such as an annual reduction of 123.6 tons of CO
2
and savings more than R$ 311,000 in fuel costs per year. Regenerative braking technology is also discussed, achieving results which suggests the possibility of reducing the emissions of 290 tons of CO
2
and save more than R$ 664,500 in fuel costs per year.