In the fast-paced world of locomotive transportation, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, a problem frequently haunts railway operators - the dreaded dead-won't-start (DWS) events.
Fuel consumption is a critical concern in the rail industry, accounting for a substantial portion of operational costs. Locomotives have a significant appetite for fuel, with consumption rates ranging from 4-5 gallons per hour while idling to nearly 200 gallons per hour for larger locomotive engine sizes at higher-notch settings. A rough diesel price of $4 per gallon can cost a locomotive over $800 in fuel per hour of operation.
The starting process requires a robust and efficient energy source when powering locomotives. Traditional batteries have long been used for this purpose, but supercapacitors have emerged as a game-changing technology in recent years.