Rail integrated energy system

Abstract

An energy management system using renewable energy resources to power an electric railcar along a rail and to distribute and store energy along a rail system is disclosed. The energy management system includes a power supply structured to generate electricity from renewable energy resources. A rail tie assembly, with a rail tie member, is positioned to support the rail and encloses a battery therein. The battery is electrically connected to the power supply. The rail tie assembly also includes at least one electricity transmission line, which is electrically connected to the battery and a railcar power transmission assembly. More specifically, the energy management system is structured to conduct electricity between the power supply and the battery, and to distribute power to a battery of an adjoining rail tie assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.