A Review of Hybrid Power System in Rail Transit

According to China’s railway development plan, non-electrified railways will continue to maintain a certain proportion in the future. Electrified and non-electrified railways are expected to coexist for an extended period. However, traditional internal combustion trains operating on non-electrified railways generate significant pollution, while electrified EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) face limitations in cross-section operations due to infrastructure constraints. Consequently, countries worldwide have developed hybrid power system for non-electrified railways as a viable alternative to traditional internal combustion engine trains. Compared with conventional internal combustion trains, hybrid power systems can reduce operational pollution emissions and fuel consumption to some extent. The integration of multiple power sources further enables hybrid power systems to adaptively utilize different power sources based on specific operating scenarios and sections. With supportive policies and advancements in related technologies, hybrid power systems are anticipated to play a crucial role in the future development of China’s railways under the trend of green rail transit.