OptiFuel’s hybrid power architecture is designed to transform how locomotives generate and use energy, delivering demand-matched power in real time.

OptiFuel Systems designs fuel efficiency into the primary energy system rather than layering it on top. By hybridizing power at the platform’s core, OptiFuel changes when and how motive power is generated, used and recovered, company officials said.

The hybrid system incorporates 1.8 MWh battery modules (2,200 horsepower equivalent), which carry the locomotive through idle and low throttle notches, respond dynamically during transient load events and higher notches, and store energy captured through regenerative braking (down to 3 mph). The maintenance-free battery system is rated for about 15 years (about 4,000 cycles) and can be replaced in about an hour, company officials said.

Primary power is provided by Tier-5-ready, 1,400-horsepower internal combustion power modules configurable for diesel, dual-fuel or natural gas operation. The modules also serve as the onboard battery charging system.

This state-of-the-art, engine-generator system maintains operation within its optimal efficiency range, delivering up to 25% lower fuel consumption per horsepower compared to conventional large-format locomotive engines, company officials said.

Under comparable duty cycles, OptiFuel diesel-hybrid locomotives deliver about 40% lower fuel consumption than legacy switcher and line-haul diesel platforms, company officials said. Dual-fuel and natural gas configurations can further improve operating economics by enabling up to 60% fuel-cost savings when lower-cost fuels are available, they added.

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