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San Francisco, CA

Developing rail-based energy transport systems to accelerate renewable adoption.

• Venture-backed: Supported by venture capital, ensuring strong financial and strategic foundations.
• Proven traction: Successful demonstration of a proof-of-concept project in California.
• Scalable technology: Flexible system adaptable to shifting grid needs and market demands.
• Strategic partnerships: Collaborating with utilities and national labs for pilot projects.
• Innovative solution: Addresses critical grid congestion and transmission delays effectively.

SunTrain is raising funds to advance its innovative energy transportation solution, which aims to alleviate bottlenecks in renewable energy transmission. The company leverages existing rail networks to transport green energy stored in lithium iron phosphate battery railcars, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional grid expansion. This approach not only reduces reliance on expensive and time-consuming new transmission lines but also addresses the curtailment of renewable energy caused by grid congestion. SunTrain’s technology provides a vital link between renewable energy generation sites and areas of high demand, ensuring greater utilization of clean energy resources.

The funds raised will be used to develop pilot projects, enhance technology, and scale operations to meet growing energy demands. By focusing on infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with existing rail and grid systems, SunTrain seeks to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, bolster grid resilience, and support the broader transition to a low-carbon economy. This offering represents an opportunity to back a transformative approach to energy logistics that addresses critical challenges in the clean energy sector.

Company Info

SunTrain transports renewable energy via railcars to overcome grid bottlenecks and support faster deployment of green power.

SunTrain offers a novel solution to the challenges of modernizing and expanding the electrical grid. By utilizing existing rail networks, SunTrain transports renewable energy stored in train cars, effectively bypassing the limitations of traditional grid infrastructure. Each SunTrain car is charged with renewable energy from areas with abundant resources or from existing energy sources that are otherwise wasted due to grid congestion. Once charged, the train delivers this energy to its destination, seamlessly integrating it into the local grid. This innovative approach drastically reduces the time and cost associated with building new transmission lines while enabling renewable projects to come online faster.

The technology supports scalability, flexibility, and resilience. With a design that allows operation in diverse conditions and compatibility with both AC and DC power systems, SunTrain offers an adaptable and efficient alternative to traditional transmission lines. Projects in partnership with major utilities and organizations like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are already underway, with a pilot project aiming to demonstrate the technology’s potential by 2028. SunTrain’s approach not only meets immediate energy demands but also positions itself as a significant player in addressing the $2.4 trillion U.S. grid upgrade market and the broader $21 trillion global energy transmission challenge.