well . i must admit , i was thinking about amtrak and similiar hep systems . but this is in the hsr forum .Which i presume would have Hep pretty efficent , to save weight if nothing else .
Anyway , as far as amtrak style HEP systems go , i would think the peak load could be reduced significantly . This would be especially benefical to a diesel locomotive under accleration , presuming the saved power would go to traction .
The area that most savingss could be made would be water heating , hvac , and space heating . Which would also be the biggest users . These could be pretty well cut out altogether when the loco is accerlerating , and increased when under regenrative braking , again presuming some of the regen power could be used for hep . with modern control systems i dont think it would be too hard to do .
Led lights and lithuim batteries would also represent savings in power required and weight , but i would think this is a fairly small portion of the power consumed . lithuim or other advanced batteries( or storage , super caps seem to have taken a back seat ) may make larger capacity battery banks feasible for the same wieght , allowing inverter /charger systems to store power under regenbraking for use later .
but as i say , for a hsr or any train under cantenary , most of this is not needed . i guess there is diesel hsr under the criteria listed for this forum .
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The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.