Caltrain, which provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, California, will now be compensated for the power its new electric trains return to the grid through regenerative braking, thanks to policy changes by its clean energy partners Peninsula Clean Energy and San Jose Clean Energy, California community choice aggregators.
“Caltrain runs on 100% renewable energy supplied by PCE and SJCE, mostly solar and wind. Currently, Caltrain returns approximately 23% of the power it uses back to the power grid, providing power to residents and businesses along its corridor,” it said in a news release.
SJCE and PCE will now both allow Caltrain to qualify for a Net Billing Rate starting in April 2026, which will enable Caltrain to receive approximately $1 million annually in compensation for the clean power it sends back to the grid.
Regenerative braking is a technology first introduced to electric trains in 1886. They work by driving an electric motor in reverse to recapture energy rather than losing it as heat during braking.
Caltrain’s fleet is designed to return that power to the Overhead Contact System (OCS), which feeds it to the nearest traction power facility. From there, it can be used to power other trains on the system or returned to the grid.
“Caltrain’s new electric trains don’t just use electricity -- they also give some back," said Director of San José Clean Energy Lori Mitchell. "Our Green Transportation program is the first in the state and one of the few in the country to give credit to public transit systems like Caltrain for the energy they return to the grid, helping them save money and reduce pollution.”
“Our partnership with Caltrain and its bold move to all-renewable and carbon-free electric rail service have already improved the quality of life for our communities and illustrates how powerful local, community-driven leadership can be in better meeting customer needs,” said Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall. “And now with the new regenerative braking, their cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel will send even more emission-free power back to the larger regional grid.”
California Assemblymember Diane Papan authored AB 1372 to include the regenerative braking from electric trains as a renewable electrical generation facility, which would require power providers to compensate railroads that return power to the grid.
Now that Caltrain’s clean energy suppliers approved net billing, the passage of this bill would likely result in Caltrain receiving an additional 20% in compensation from its energy distributor PG&E.
“I’m pleased to see that the renewable energy that Caltrain is sending back to the grid is being recognized and fairly compensated,” said Papan. “This is the right thing for supporting public transit and highlighting the incredible benefits from electrification.”
“Caltrain running train service on 100% renewable energy for the first time in 161 years is a victory in and of itself,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “But now that our partners at PCE and SJCE have agreed to compensate us for the power we return to the grid, we have yet another reason to celebrate our transition to the electric fleet. I thank PCE and SJCE for their dedication to both public transit and clean power, and Assemblymember Papan for leading the charge on this issue."
Originally estimated to cost approximately $19.5 million annually, Caltrain’s electricity use since the launch of electric service averages 207 MWh on weekdays and 175 MWh on weekends, revising cost estimates to $15.3 million.
PCE and SJCE 100% renewable energy products also allow Caltrain to generate revenues from the California Low Carbon Fuel standards program, further lowering Caltrain’s electric fuel costs, the news release said.
