Comments on: Railpower goes boatpower http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2005/09/06/railpower-goes-boatpower/ Trends, happenings and innovations in the clean technology market Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:28:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2005/09/06/railpower-goes-boatpower/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Anonymous Tue, 06 Sep 2005 16:57:39 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2005/09/06/railpower-goes-boatpower/#comment-52 You're absolutely right to be confused. That excerpt from my July article was a bit misleading, if not wrong. The recapturing of energy would apply to a Prius-like system. The reason why RailPower's technology is ideal is not because of energy recapture potential, but because a hybrid-electric design (i.e. large batteries aided by a genset) is best suited -- i.e. more efficient -- for frequent start-stop routines of shipyard locomotives and marine vessels like tugboats. Rather than have a huge engine, you can have a small generator and massive batteries that together require less maintenance and release far fewer emissions and particulates. Thanks for pointing that out... You’re absolutely right to be confused. That excerpt from my July article was a bit misleading, if not wrong. The recapturing of energy would apply to a Prius-like system. The reason why RailPower’s technology is ideal is not because of energy recapture potential, but because a hybrid-electric design (i.e. large batteries aided by a genset) is best suited — i.e. more efficient — for frequent start-stop routines of shipyard locomotives and marine vessels like tugboats. Rather than have a huge engine, you can have a small generator and massive batteries that together require less maintenance and release far fewer emissions and particulates.

Thanks for pointing that out…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2005/09/06/railpower-goes-boatpower/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Anonymous Tue, 06 Sep 2005 16:39:26 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2005/09/06/railpower-goes-boatpower/#comment-51 I do NOT get this. Wheeled vehicles have brakes, and energy is recaptured though regenerative braking. I've never heard of a boat with brakes. When water resistance does not slow forward momentum, reverse thrust is required. How the heck do they "recapture" energy? The fact that the talk about multi-engine systems makes more sense, a little engine to get around, and a big one to push. I do NOT get this. Wheeled vehicles have brakes, and energy is recaptured though regenerative braking. I’ve never heard of a boat with brakes. When water resistance does not slow forward momentum, reverse thrust is required.

How the heck do they “recapture” energy?

The fact that the talk about multi-engine systems makes more sense, a little engine to get around, and a big one to push.

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