Meet the 19th century technology that could save Caltrain $1M annually on its energy bill

by Andres Jimenez Larios, Bay City News October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

One of Caltrain's new electric locomotives pauses in Redwood City on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. When the commuter rail carrier switched to all-electric service this year, it introduced a technology that enables it to send energy back into the electrical grid — a capability that could save more than $1 million annually in energy costs. (Caltrain via Bay City News)

The new electric trains chugging up and down the San Francisco Peninsula in Caltrain’s service area will be compensated for the electricity they generate using a form of technology over 100 years old.

Power companies Peninsula Clean Energy and San Jose Clean Energy announced they will allow Caltrain to qualify for compensation starting in April 2026 for returning energy created on their trains’ regenerative braking systems back to the local grid.

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