Benefits

Improved aerodynamics guarantee ‘artificial’ wind. 

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Airfoils on semi-trailers reduce drag to help semis get better mpg during bulk charged EV battery deliveries. 

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Power and emergency backup is supplied by batteries charged by renewable energies. 

 

Renewable energy batteries enable communities to build more resilient local grids while reducing emissions.

 

Shuttling renewable energy batteries between 2 communities provides consistent power and emergency backup for both.

 

The Railroad Windfarm charging EV batteries increases sustainability and convenience for EV drivers.

 

Eliminating charging EV batteries at the factory can lower production costs, possibly lowering list prices.

 

EV dealers can guarantee vehicles have batteries charged with renewable energy.

 

Slower charging batteries with a lease /exchange option could lower sticker prices, sell more EVs, and reduce carbon emissions further.

 

The Patent suggests gas stations in prime locations expand to hybrid gas/electric franchises that would have battery exchanges or fast charging and perform all EV maintenance services.

 

The prime locations of the battery exchange services will increase the convenience of EV ownership and lessen range anxiety.

 

The Railroad Windfarm supplies the EV battery exchange infrastructure to hybrid gas/electric franchises. Exchange infrastructure includes EV battery storage, charge maintenance, and recycling.  

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The computer makes it easy to manage the various technologies in real time.

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A log of performance metrics is compiled by the computer for every Railroad Windfarm route.

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Performance logs help improve the efficiency of future Railroad Windfarms.

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The wiring harness disconnects allow interchangeable railcars to increase versatility.

 

The technology ‘evolves’ to meet the needs of shippers and the communities they serve.

 

The modular design enables scalability. The Railroad Windfarm can be expanded as needed.

 

The wiring harness enables the commingling of freight and passenger cars.

 

In the unlikely event of equipment malfunction a railcar can be taken offline and bypassed.

 

Eliminating curtailments. When railcar needs are met, the surplus power is diverted to the diesel-electric turbines. The extra power lets trains maintain speed at lower rpm which extends turbine life, decreases maintenance, and conserves fuel. 

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The many benefits of railroads are,  

 

Any gauge of existing railroad tracks around the world are ready made infrastructure for the Railroad Windfarm.

 

Transmitting energy with batteries by rail eliminates transmission lines.

 

The Railroad Windfarm replacing transmission lines prevents intentional power shutoffs, saves lives, costs less, prevents lost income and avoids liability.

 

The Railroad Windfarm uses rail lines to extend electrical grids.

 

Shipping by rail reduces truck traffic, slows infrastructure deterioration, and lowers truck emissions.

 

Less traffic congestion. Better roads and bridges increase the mpg of gas powered cars.

 

The Railroad Windfarm promotes intermodal shipping. Shipping semi-trailers by rail is cost effective and reduces emissions.

 

The many benefits to Railroads are,

 

The Railroad Windfarm enables railroads to adapt to a lower carbon future.

 

Revenues lost from hauling coal or oil are replaced.

 

New cargos are created and existing ones are expanded.

 

Railroads generate new revenues by hauling renewable energy batteries.  

 

Shipping EVs or other vehicles with battery charging creates revenue.

 

Shipping and charging EV batteries in bulk is a new revenue stream.

 

Zero Emission Refrigerated Railcars shipping perishables increases awareness of sustainable shipping options.  

 

Shipping more solar/wind farm components increases revenues.

 

Fuel is conserved 5 ways.

 

Zero Emission Refrigerated Railcars eliminate generators. They conserve 100% of the diesel fuel previously used to power refrigeration.

 

The Patent suggests surplus railcars are converted to productive use in order to reduce dead weight.

 

Airfoils, similar to semi ‘bubbles’, neutralize wind turbine drag. A net zero increase in drag means extra fuel is not needed to harvest train generated ‘artificial’ wind. Streamlining railcars, in excess of matching wind turbine drag, or if used without wind turbines, conserves fuel. 

 

Batteries powering ‘booster’ traction motors reduce the fuel needed to get a train moving after a full stop. When the train is up to speed again the power is shut off. The extra energy and redistributed load conserves fuel.    

 

When the output of wind turbines, solar panels, and regenerative brakes exceed railcar power needs, the supplemental power is diverted to the diesel turbines to lower rpm while maintaining speed. The train’s power needs are the same, but less fuel is used.

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Kinetic energy isn’t wasted. Regenerative brakes convert kinetic energy into electrical power anytime the train slows.

 

Conventional brake maintenance costs are reduced by the regenerative brakes doing 95% of the braking.

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Sunlight is free. Capacity, reliability, and efficiency of solar panels have improved dramatically over the decades.

 

Solar panels on railcars charge batteries, power railcar functions, or provide supplemental power to diesel turbines.

 

Solar panels on semi-trailers maintain EV battery charges.

 

Solar Panels on hybrid franchises provide onsite power.

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Reliable and consistent wind. The movement of a train creates a free source of ‘artificial wind’ harvested by the Railroad Windfarm.  

 

VAWTs tolerate higher windspeeds than the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines seen at stationary wind farms.

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VAWTs can use wind from any direction compared to HAWTs using wind from only one direction. 

 

VAWTs can be mounted on flatbed railcars without risk of derailment due to a lower center of gravity.  

Historic high winds can be harvested with temporary windfarms.

 

Benefits of the 5 railcars featured in the Patent are noted. Over twenty railcars have features, functions and benefits listed under More Options. For a scale model (without airfoils) check out the Photos. To learn how the technology works watch the Video. The Technology page has energy generation options listed.