Success Story

BNSF

Remote Hybrid Power: Railway Signal Control

The Situation

BNSF Railway, created through the merger of Burlington Northern Inc. and Santa Fe Pacific Corp., builds on the traditions of hundreds of predecessors and provides customers with efficient, reliable and cost-effective transportation services. BNSF serves over 32,500 route miles in the western two-thirds of the United States, portions of Canada and key South American gateways. Many of these routes wind their way through the most remote parts of North America. Providing continuous reliable electrical power to the farthest reaches of their routes is critical for the ongoing control and monitoring of their transportation assets.

The Solution

Qnergy’s PowerGen power solution is specifically designed to provide seamless and extremely reliable power generation to remote locations. With multiple configurable and controllable outputs, the PowerGen was programmed to output 240Vac (single-phase) electric power to provide charging services to a BNSF Signal Control room. Its smart logic was programmed to only initiate generation when extra electricity was needed beyond that which was being produced by the parallel solar and wind resources.

The Result

The PowerGen was installed and commissioned in June 2017 at a remote site in Eastern Washington State. It was placed adjacent to the Signal Control station and is fueled by propane. Electrically, it is coupled directly to the control room electrical panel with a standard single-phase 4-conductor cable carrying the 240 VAC / 60 Hz.

Electrical System

ApplicationSignal Control | Battery Bank Charging
Operating ProfileOn Demand Cycle Charging
Power Output Configuration240 VAC / 60 Hz | Standard Grid Single Phase
Power Output Setting3,100 watts
Fuel SourcePropane

BNSF PowerGen Configuration

About BNSF

BNSF is a critical link that connects consumers with the global marketplace. For more than 160 years, BNSF has played a vital role in building and sustaining this nation's economy. Today's BNSF Railway is the product of nearly 400 different railroad lines that merged or were acquired over the course of 160 years. BNSF is committed to the safe operation of every mile of the 32,500-route-mile network. With a team of approximately 42,000, BNSF safely transports the products and material that help feed, clothe and power communities across the U.S. and around the globe.
www.bnsf.com

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