Maxwell Technologies Inc., a developer and manufacturer of ultracapacitor-based energy storage and power delivery solutions, announced its ultracapacitors are being used for regenerative braking energy storage in the Beijing subway system.

The installation with the Beijing subway system is the first commercial subway wayside project for China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. (CRRC-SRI) and Maxwell in China. CRRC-SRI will leverage Maxwell's 48-volt modules in two sets of regenerative braking energy storage devices for the system's No. 8 line, an urban rail network that runs north-south through China's capital, one of the most populous cities in the world. The devices fulfill China rail requirements for energy savings and environmental protection, creating an ideal opportunity for ultracapacitor application.

Maxwell ultracapacitors deliver high-power energy density performance, even under extreme temperatures, according to the company. With long operational lifetimes and rapid charge/discharge capabilities, the modules are ideally suited for rail transportation applications. The Beijing subway system implementation is among many global transportation applications relying on Maxwell technology, including rapid braking, energy recuperation and power delivery for rail, as well as start-stop applications for automobiles and hybrid buses.