January 30, 2022 - TRA Newswire -
The Wabtec plant at Fort Worth is about to get a lot busier as Union Pacific Railroad announces the purchase of 10 FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives for use in its freight rail yards. The order marks the largest investment in battery technology to date by a North American railroad.
“As an industry leader, Union Pacific is pioneering a major application of battery power in its rail yards,” according to Rafael Santana, President and CEO for Wabtec. “Battery power is an ideal solution to reduce the environmental impact and costs of yard operations. Using the FLXdrive in the rail yard can significantly improve local air quality, as well as reduce noise by up to 70% for neighboring communities.”
The approximately 2.5-MWh locomotives are each powered solely by 7,000 battery cells, providing Union Pacific a zero-emission solution for its yard operations. The 10 FLXdrives will enable the railroad to eliminate 4,000 tons of carbon annually from its rail yards, the equivalent of removing 800 cars from the highway. The new locomotives will be manufactured in the United States with the first units being delivered to Union Pacific in late 2023.
“Railroads are already the leader in low emissions ground transportation, and we believe battery-electric locomotives are the next step in our journey to eventually reach net zero,” said Lance Fritz, Chairman, President and CEO of Union Pacific. “This first phase of testing will further enhance the technology, and, ultimately, benefit the entire industry.”
UP published its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan in December 2021, outlining its efforts to significantly reduce emissions within its operations. As part of that commitment, Union Pacific will reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 26% by 2030 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In June 2021 Wabtec started a pilot program in California with its FLXdrive battery-electric freight locomotives. Since then Wabtec has seen four other orders from railroads in North America and Australia.
In the land down under, the FLXdrive locos will be used in harsh conditions at the Roy Hill mining complex. Simon Pascoe, General Manager of Engineering for Roy Hill, said “It has the horsepower to operate in a heavy haul train consist pulling loaded wagons with 35,000 tonnes of iron ore, while at the same time reducing the entire train’s fuel consumption. The FLXdrive also is designed to function in the extreme heat of the Pilbara region.”
FLXdrive battery electric locomotive at a glance
Energy Source
Lithium-ion Batteries
Size of Battery Unit
20 racks, which consist of approximately 20,000 battery cells
* HVAC system to keep batteries at room temperature in all environment
* Energy-management system to monitor battery health
Energy Capacity
2.4 Megawatt hours
Duration of Full 4400 HP output
30-40 minutes
* Recharges during dynamic braking
Emissions
Reduces the train’s emissions by at least 10 percent.
Charging
There are two ways the locomotive is charged:
• Wayside charging station
• Dynamic braking during operation
Weight Maximum
Approximately 430,000 lbs
Maximum Speed
Approximately 75 MPH
Photo credit: Wabtec
The Wabtec plant at Fort Worth is about to get a lot busier as Union Pacific Railroad announces the purchase of 10 FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives for use in its freight rail yards. The order marks the largest investment in battery technology to date by a North American railroad.
“As an industry leader, Union Pacific is pioneering a major application of battery power in its rail yards,” according to Rafael Santana, President and CEO for Wabtec. “Battery power is an ideal solution to reduce the environmental impact and costs of yard operations. Using the FLXdrive in the rail yard can significantly improve local air quality, as well as reduce noise by up to 70% for neighboring communities.”
The approximately 2.5-MWh locomotives are each powered solely by 7,000 battery cells, providing Union Pacific a zero-emission solution for its yard operations. The 10 FLXdrives will enable the railroad to eliminate 4,000 tons of carbon annually from its rail yards, the equivalent of removing 800 cars from the highway. The new locomotives will be manufactured in the United States with the first units being delivered to Union Pacific in late 2023.
“Railroads are already the leader in low emissions ground transportation, and we believe battery-electric locomotives are the next step in our journey to eventually reach net zero,” said Lance Fritz, Chairman, President and CEO of Union Pacific. “This first phase of testing will further enhance the technology, and, ultimately, benefit the entire industry.”
UP published its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan in December 2021, outlining its efforts to significantly reduce emissions within its operations. As part of that commitment, Union Pacific will reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 26% by 2030 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In June 2021 Wabtec started a pilot program in California with its FLXdrive battery-electric freight locomotives. Since then Wabtec has seen four other orders from railroads in North America and Australia.
In the land down under, the FLXdrive locos will be used in harsh conditions at the Roy Hill mining complex. Simon Pascoe, General Manager of Engineering for Roy Hill, said “It has the horsepower to operate in a heavy haul train consist pulling loaded wagons with 35,000 tonnes of iron ore, while at the same time reducing the entire train’s fuel consumption. The FLXdrive also is designed to function in the extreme heat of the Pilbara region.”
FLXdrive battery electric locomotive at a glance
Energy Source
Lithium-ion Batteries
Size of Battery Unit
20 racks, which consist of approximately 20,000 battery cells
* HVAC system to keep batteries at room temperature in all environment
* Energy-management system to monitor battery health
Energy Capacity
2.4 Megawatt hours
Duration of Full 4400 HP output
30-40 minutes
* Recharges during dynamic braking
Emissions
Reduces the train’s emissions by at least 10 percent.
Charging
There are two ways the locomotive is charged:
• Wayside charging station
• Dynamic braking during operation
Weight Maximum
Approximately 430,000 lbs
Maximum Speed
Approximately 75 MPH
Photo credit: Wabtec