Barcelona subway recycles energy from braking into power to charge electric cars Barcelona's subway system is not just ferrying commuters anymore - it's powering up electric cars with a burst of energy from the trains' brakes.
Barcelona has launched an innovative clean energy initiative, MetroCharge, which captures the kinetic energy from braking trains to not only power the subway and its stations but also to charge electric vehicles above ground.
This energy can be used immediately to power the vehicle or, as seen in Barcelona's subway system, channelled through cables to provide electricity for stations or electric car chargers.
"Since the recharging stations are installed nearby, the energy, instead of being put back into the general electric network, goes directly to the charging stations, and that allows the provider to potentially offer lower prices," he explained.
Bernardo Espinoza, a 49-year-old engineer and hybrid car owner, was thrilled to discover a new charging option: "I am pleasantly surprised, because I have an electric car and am always looking for where to plug it in," he said, adding, "And if it is from energy from the metro’s brakes, then even better.".
