Batteries on Wheels Could Power Our Future

We came across a future-thinking post on the Berkeley Lab website we decided to share, because they opened a window to a future we liked. An incredible future in fact, where net zero trains deliver back-up power to the grid, anywhere within reach of their network. Now that would be delivering portable energy in style! And there’s no reason why lead batteries on wheels should not play their part.

Trains Have Been Short on Renewable Attention

Berkeley Lab says electric trains only cause 2% of sector emissions. And no wonder, when we consider diesel freight emits 35 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. However, this diesel energy drives generators powering electric motors. So why not use batteries on wheels instead, they ask?

After all, battery prices have been coming down steadily, thanks to economies of scale. Berkeley Lab suggests the following benefits are possible in the U.S. alone :

1… Less direct air pollution causing $6.5 billion avoidable health costs, and 1,000 premature deaths every year.

2… Estimated savings of $94 billion over 20 years from reduced air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

Powering Trains with Batteries on Wheels is Feasible

Natalie Popovich is a Berkeley Lab scientist who is lead author of the study. She believes ‘Rapid conversion of the freight-rail sector is not only technically feasible and cost-effective’. It would also bring immediate and lasting health and economic benefits to lower income communities.

Moreover, she continues ‘It would provide a boost to our nation’s efforts to curb climate change. Especially considering U.S. freight rail capacity is set to double by 2050.’ We are left wondering why it took so long to come up with such a practical, elegant solution. Provided, of course they scrap those diesel motors!