Barcelona has launched a innovative project called MetroCharge, which harnesses energy from its metro trains’ brakes to supply electricity for charging points at street level. The system uses regenerative braking technology, which captures energy that would otherwise be lost as heat by conventional brakes.
Seventeen stations of the Barcelona subway system are part of this initiative, where the captured energy is used to power the trains and stations themselves, while the remainder is sent through cables to plug-in stations for privately owned electric vehicles. This project aims to reduce the metro’s energy consumption and help combat climate change by supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
The MetroCharge project not only benefits commuters but also contributes to urban planning efficiency. The captured energy can be redirected to specific local uses, such as powering electric cars parked nearby, allowing for potentially lower prices for recharging services. This innovation is key to reducing global temperatures and meeting international climate targets.
According to Jordi Picas, head of systems for TMB, the public company estimates that it can recover the €7.3 million spent on MetroCharge in four years thanks to reduced energy costs. The system also includes solar panels, providing all the energy needs of 28 subway stations and saving 6% of total energy spent by the metro.
This initiative comes at a time when Spain is feeling the impact of climate change, with increased frequency of droughts and extreme weather events. Despite government efforts to promote electric cars, there are still challenges in deploying recharging stations across the country. However, projects like MetroCharge demonstrate innovative solutions for urban planners to address these challenges.
The success of this project depends on continued investment and support from governments and private sectors. As Ángel García said, while agreeing with the initiative’s spirit, the government should also do more to encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles in Spain.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/12/19/apple-must-ensure-interoperability-of-iphone-with-rivals-says-european-commission