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SunTrain, a San Francisco-based company, has proposed a pilot project in Colorado to demonstrate the potential of using freight trains to transport high-capacity batteries for renewable energy storage. The company, in partnership with Xcel Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has applied for a $10 million federal grant to develop the technology.
The idea behind the project is to use freight trains to transport large batteries to sites, such as existing coal or natural gas plants, where the stored power can be distributed to the electric grid. This would help alleviate transmission bottlenecks and allow for more renewable energy to be added to the grid.
According to SunTrain’s CEO, Jeff Anderson, a lack of transmission capacity on the grid is hindering the deployment of renewable energy and the transition away from fossil fuels. The company hopes that their technology will provide a solution to this problem and help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
If the project is successful and receives approval from state regulators, the first train could be operating in the field within four years. This could have a significant impact on the nation’s energy infrastructure, as studies have shown that the transmission system will need to at least double in size by 2050 to accommodate the growing demand for renewable energy.
Overall, SunTrain’s pilot project has the potential to revolutionize the way renewable energy is transported and stored, and could play a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.