A case analysis of electrical energy recovery in public transport

In the past few years the interest in electrical energy recovery process in the traction systems has significantly grown. At the same time, the number of devices designed for this system and a modern traction rolling stock, with the ability of regenerative braking, has gone up. Despite the huge interest in this topic, there are still problems in implementing new technologies. The cause of this lies in different exploitation conditions of each of the implemented solutions. Achieving highest electrical energy recovery indicators without the occurrence of negative side effects and with lowest financial outlays can be a problem. Because of these reasons, one should continue to analyze various cases of using the process of energy recovery and draw general conclusions. The authors of this work have presented the results of the analysis of energy consumption and recovery process in public tram traction system. Measuring data for units without and with the ability for regenerative braking has been analyzed. Results, with reference to various types of vehicles and different manners of driving have been presented. In the summary, the authors have given conclusions arising from the conducted research.