Trainsmission
Press releases
Announcements.
The Trainsmission Company was called SunTrain when these releases were issued. Company references have been updated to the current name; quotations are reproduced as they were given.
Archive
Denver, Colorado · 4 December 2024
Trainsmission, Xcel Energy and NREL announce first-in-the-nation grant collaboration in Colorado for the WATT pilot project
Trainsmission announced a first-in-the-nation proposal for the Wireless Alternative by Train Transport (WATT) pilot project. By putting advanced battery storage on conventional freight railcars, the project brings renewable energy from remote generation sites into Colorado’s transmission system — most of the state’s low-cost renewable energy is wind generated far from load.
Governor Jared Polis, who has championed 100% clean energy by 2040, wrote a letter supporting the grant application. The National Electrical Contractors Association and IBEW Local 111 also supported the pilot. The company continued working with partners through the 2025 Colorado General Assembly to establish regulatory pathways for deployment.
“Working with our outstanding collaboration partners, SunTrain hopes to expand upon Colorado’s outsized role in addressing climate change by completing our technology development and deploying our first grid-scale pilot project here.”
Jeff Anderson, SunTrain CEO
“In storing gigawatt-hours of clean energy from solar and wind in battery railcars that are then transported over existing freight rail networks, SunTrain offers a creative alternative to traditional transmission.”
Governor Jared Polis
“The WATT project is but one demonstration of Xcel Energy’s continuing commitment to provide affordable, carbon-free energy by adopting innovative solutions.”
Robert Kenney, President, Xcel Energy–Colorado
“Developing advanced technologies is critical to ensure baseload capacity for Colorado’s power grid of the future and they provide real opportunities for a Just Transition at our retiring coal facilities.”
Nate Gutierrez, Business Manager, IBEW Local 111
Oakland, California · 26 April 2024
Trainsmission celebrates Earth Day at the Port of Oakland with a renewable energy demonstration
The company showcased its Trainsmission technology at the Port of Oakland, demonstrating how gigawatt-hours of renewable energy can move across existing rail networks into high-demand urban centers. The Port’s railyards sit adjacent to its maritime operations, which positions it well for integration and supports its goal of zero-emissions operations by 2050.
The demonstration also highlighted how access to clean energy benefits communities disproportionately affected by pollution from conventional generation.
“One of the greatest advantages of our technology is its immediacy. While other infrastructure projects might take years to develop, SunTrain is here now, ready to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Jeff Anderson, SunTrain CEO
“Our mission leverages the existing 100,000+ miles of U.S. rail capacity to move clean energy immediately from renewable sources to places like the Port of Oakland, where it is most needed.”
Christopher Smith, SunTrain Founder
“This exciting and innovative initiative supports the Port of Oakland’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Bryan Brandes, Director of Maritime, Port of Oakland
Long Beach, California · 14 November 2023
Trainsmission visits the Port of Long Beach to highlight green energy distribution
The company brought a fully charged rail system to the Port of Long Beach and charged electric vehicles directly from the railcar-mounted container, validating the proof of concept. The approach uses existing rail networks to move more than one gigawatt-hour of energy per train trip.
The Port of Long Beach handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States. In 2022 California curtailed nearly 30 terawatt-hours of renewable energy because of infrastructure limits — enough to power 4.75 million homes for a year.
“Standing at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, SunTrain’s demo at the Port of Long Beach signals a bold step toward a cleaner energy horizon.”
Christopher Smith, SunTrain Founder
“As the Green Port, we are always searching for new technologies and systems to improve the environment.”
Mario Cordero, CEO, Port of Long Beach
“SunTrain brings renewable energy by way of high-capacity batteries charged at solar and wind farms to the POLB, transforming the rail network into transmission lines.”
Otis Cliatt, President, Pacific Harbor Line
About the company
The Trainsmission Company resolves the transmission bottlenecks throttling renewable energy generation. It stores energy from remote solar and wind farms in battery railcars moved over existing railroad networks, linking generation sites to congested substation nodes and to behind-the-meter industrial load without building new transmission.
Formerly SunTrain
San Francisco, California
Gen.1 railcar — 18.8 MWh
Gen.2 railcar — 20+ MWh
About 2.1 GWh per 10,000 ft train
Media contact
For interviews and materials, write to us.
High-resolution imagery, spec sheets and executive interviews are available on request — electrify@trainsmission.co