Toshiba supplied a traction energy storage system (TESS) to Tobu Railway. TESS stores traction energy generated by decelerating trains as they enter a station and releases it as needed when trains accelerate from the station. The system started operation from December 22.

Toshiba’s TESS is installed at Unga station on the Tobu Urban Park Line, and utilizes Toshiba’s SCiBTM rechargeable batteries to store regenerated power. SCiBTM offer outstanding characteristics, including a high degree of safety, a wide state-of-charge (SOC) range and stable operation at low temperatures. Toshiba’s TESS realizes efficient charging and discharging by offering a battery capacity ten times that of typical traction energy storage systems, and also employs the company’s proprietary charge-discharge control technology, which takes full advantage of the wide SOC range of the SCiBTM.

At Unga Station, regenerative traction energy from train deceleration is stored in the TESS for supply as needed when trains are accelerating from the station, facilitating stable electricity supply. In addition to supporting stable supply, the system can also be optimally configured to support other applications, including traction energy loss prevention and peak demand power management.