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U.S. Department of Energy
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Power plant and method of production of synchronous commercial electric power using diesel electric locomotives

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5492640
This patent describes a method of producing synchronous electric power at utility transmission or subtransmission voltages to an electric utility grid during periods of peak electrical demand. It comprises providing at least two conventional diesel electric railroad locomotives, each having a diesel engine with a speed governor for such engine, an electrical generator driven by the engine, electrical drive motors driven from electricity provided by the generator, railroad wheels on axles driven by the drive motors, positioning the locomotives stationary at a location on railroad tracks, disconnecting the electric drive motors of the locomotives from the locomotive generator, connecting the output of the locomotive generators in parallel to generate synchronous electric power, controlling the speed of the diesel engines within the tolerances required for synchronous alternating current generation, and connecting the electrical output of the locomotive generators to step up transformer means and to an electric utility distribution grid.
Assignee:
Energy Resources and Logistics, Inc., Baltimore, MD (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5065581; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-602570
OSTI ID:
5492640
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English