Ioxus Technology selected to help Long Island Rail Road trains reduce energy consumption

ONEONTA, NY, April 15, 2014 – Ioxus, a manufacturer of premium performance ultracapacitor technology for use in transportation, industrial and energy applications, today announced its ultracapacitors are being fitted to the railway wayside traction power on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The ultracapacitors will provide voltage support to assist the traction power system, capturing and storing the energy produced by the train, using it to facilitate better acceleration and allowing for greater energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Ultracapacitors charge and discharge quickly, making them ideal for voltage support needs and recovering energy that would otherwise be lost in light rail transportation. The design of Ioxus ultracapacitors allows for high duty cycle and a sustained high current throughput, which is integral to energy efficiency and achieving the optimum level of energy regeneration.

Ioxus ultracapacitors were selected for use on the LIRR by Electrical Power worX Corp (EPX), a company specializing in the engineering and development of energy storage systems. Marcus Emerson, Sr. Electrical Engineer/Project Manager of EPX, said: “We are fitting the ultracapacitor bank in 20-foot shipping containers, where it will sit on the railway traction power feeds and interface with a high power DC-DC converter. Its high-duty cycle and efficient throughput will be integral to successfully providing voltage support and reducing energy consumption, improving the LIRR trains’ performances.”

EPX selected Ioxus to supply ultracapacitors to the LIRR following consultation with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). NYSERDA made its decision following successful demonstrations that detailed how Ioxus’ ultracapacitors would help the LIRR reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent and improve railway operations.

“The demand for ultracapacitors from commuter rail, metro, and light rail transportation is growing, and we are delighted to be working with the LIRR, which is the busiest commuter railroad in North America,” said Mark McGough, CEO, Ioxus. “NYSERDA and LIRR decision to select Ioxus ultracapacitors demonstrates our superior technology in the energy storage space.”