About
About
Rail & Energy Transition
American Solar Rail (ASR) is a solar-powered train capable of high-speed operation aiming to optimize America’s 20th century railroads with 21st century technologies. The ASR train can operate at a true 120 mph speed or above. The system uses a patented battery-powered rail car that uses solar energy to charge itself.
The Three
Innovations
There are three areas that will create ASR’s winning formula — one that will separate us from other current methodologies. We intend to build a Continuous Railway System using a new rail car, called the EMDI. We focused on the following areas that make a railroad efficient and effective:
ENERGY
The primary energy for ASR propulsion will be solar energy. The connection of our fields of solar energy directly to recharging the batteries of the EMDI changes our financial, operational and energy efficiency dramatically. By the EMDI’s ability to deliver electrons to the locomotive on a continuous basis, we achieve the first practical Continuous Railway System (CRS). Further, the EMDI’s ability to push a diesel electric locomotiove (that in turn is pulling a train) allows it to constantly reduce the consumption of diesel locomotive, thereby expanding the range of conventional trains while lowering emissions. The new generations of batteries in the EMDI in all electric locomotives increases the efficiency and distance ~3X over diesel-electric. Now that high-capacity battery storage systems can be stationary or mobile with ASR’s trains, solar energy’s advantage is secure. Sufficient backup by NG/H2 combustion turbines (CTs) will guarantee operations regardless of weather.
OPERATIONS
By creating a secure method for passengers or light freight to access or egress a train in motion, the EMDI has a dramatic impact on preserving the average speed of the train by not stopping. This enables ASR’s ability to expand passenger access by increasing the station stops and increasing the number of trains on the tracks. Over time ASR can have more high-speed rail traffic on the tracks delivering more passengers/freight at more stations more often. The only alternative of a train system that stops for passengers is to increase its top speed, by nearly 30%. Hence rail construction, operational and energy costs in those systems are significantly higher in order to maintain the same average speed than ASRs. ASR’s efficiency significantly improves ASR’s trains already very high performance.
FINANCIAL
Financial efficiency is perhaps the area with the most profound impact. When just the gains from the operational and energy efficiencies accrue to the profit/loss statements, it will be impressive. ASR’s decision to own solar energy for operations is profound. By owning its energy, solar becomes an income producing asset, not a cash liability of 20% – 40% of total revenues paid for diesel. ASR then gains the efficiency of electricity directly to the traction motors to produce work. We book both performance advantages. Lastly, the Levelized cost of solar electricity (LCOE) remains flat at ~5¢/kWh for decades creating additional sales of carbon free electricity. By producing its own energy, ASR separates itself from other American railroads. Computer models show that using this formula, ASR’s Operating Ratio will be among the best in the railroad industry
ASR is way past selling an idea. We are gaining traction for what we see as a national template, a blueprint of a continuous rail network, powered by own renewable energy and able to achieve operational performance previously unavailable. We want to ensure that America’s next railroad goes forward serving all needs.
In less than 3 years the EMDI should be certified and becoming available for delivery and operations. All other equipment is immediately available. With a competitive advantage created by a patent, ASR can roll out its services on any existing tracks or deliver EMDI’s to other operating railroads worldwide.
WHO WE ARE
ROBERT E. GREEN
– Founder – CEO, Innovator Entrepreneur
Project development experience– Robert has led the development of 13 patents; invented innovative technologies; founded, developed and sold multiple companies; secured funding from the US government and won various national awards.
WITTEN TECHNOLOGIES, Inc (WTI) – In 1996, following 15 years as a general and utility contractor, Robert Green built a career in technology development. Green first founded Witten Technologies, Inc. (WTI) where he served as CEO/Chairman for 10 years.
The company invented and developed Radar Tomography (RT) creating the first high-resolution underground imagery to capture survey-quality precision.
By 2001, Green led a staff of former Schlumberger geophysicists working with Witten and electrical engineers to create prototypes for the first commercial radar-based geophysical photogrammetric camera capable of implementing the proprietary RT software. In the process, 13 patents were developed by Green and his staff. WTI, with the Electric Power and Research Institute (EPRI) created the equipment to enable the visual imagery of buried utilities and related items with much greater accuracy for the first time in history.
Warren Getler
– Chief Marketing Officer
Co-founder, serves as Chief Marketing Officer of American Solar Rail, LLC In his role as CMO, he is responsible for the overall market-positioning, branding, public affairs and corporate communications for the firm from its Washington, D.C. office. In this public- and client-facing role, Getler supports CEO and chairman Robert Green in business development efforts, strategic corporate relationships and the formulation of PPPs (Public Private Partnerships.) Getler is a 1983 graduate of Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He served for many years as a senior journalist with The International Herald Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and Discovery Channel.
Subsequent to his roles in journalism, he served as a senior corporate-communications and marketing executive for technology companies, including MicroStrategy. For a number of years he advised Fortune 200 companies as a consultant on a range of external-relations issues. He was a co-founder of underground-imaging company Witten Technologies, under the leadership of Robert Green. He was also co-founder, with Robert’s son, Shane, of digital-mapping company, The Map Network, which was sold to Navteq in 2007 for $37.5 million. MapNetwork.com provided print and online maps of more than 90 U.S. cities, as well as maps of trade shows and events and convention centers, stadiums and hotels. Navteq in turn was sold to Nokia for over $8 billion the same year. Getler was an early proponent of deploying digital maps on mobile phones.
Our History
2002
$1M Grant to WTI from US Department of Transportation, Office of Research and Development, in partnership with Consolidated Edison R&D, award to integrate RT with its new technology, Arrayed Induction Tomography.
Innovation In Construction NOVA Award to WTI Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) at the University of Michigan recognizes WTI.
2002
$1M Grant to WTI from US Department of Transportation, Office of Research and Development, in partnership with Consolidated Edison R&D, award to integrate RT with its new technology, Arrayed Induction Tomography.
Innovation In Construction NOVA Award to WTI Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) at the University of Michigan recognizes WTI.
2004
Governor’s New Product Award to WTI and Robert Green. The Florida Engineering Society recognizes RT. Subsequently the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) cites the importance of this technology and adopts RT as a “strategic objective.”
The Map Network, Inc. Green was founding Investor and mentor generating a 10-fold return on investment. The company solved data mining techniques that placed commercial data/information on GPS/cell phones digital map application. Sold to Navteq 2007.
2005
2007
2009 – 2019
2018 – 2023
2018
2020
2022
Conclusion: Embarking on a Journey of Sustainable Innovation
American Solar Rail is not just revolutionizing the concept of solar-powered trains; it is leading the charge in sustainable transportation. With its innovative approach to high-speed rail funding and technology, ASR can set new standards in the High Speed train sector in the United States and beyond.
American Solar Rail is a beacon of progress and efficiency as we embrace renewable energy in transportation. Join us in this journey towards a sustainable future. Embrace the revolution of solar powered trains and be a part of the energy- and rail transformation.
Reach out to our experts to learn more about our rail and energy transition.