Leading multi-disciplinary professional services firm WSP has produced a series of reports commissioned by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) which provide clear recommendations to optimise and standardise the wider, strategic adoption of battery power on UK railways.
The three reports together consider the operational framework by which battery trains are likely to operate on the GB Rail Network, assess any opportunities that could exist to standardise approaches for rolling stock or infrastructure, and ultimately provide a framework to operators considering the deployment of battery trains.
The reports consist of:
• Phase 1a: Battery train operation concepts and rules for the 25 kV AC traction power network.
• Phase 1b: Battery train operation concepts and rules for the 750V DC traction power network.
• Phase 2: Standardisation for charging infrastructure, battery interface, and safe and future-proofed battery/vehicle integration.
Between now and 2050, the UK Government is committed to delivering a net zero rail network, through electrification, the use of battery and hydrogen trains. To achieve this, battery trains will need to play an enhanced role in supporting the decarbonisation of rail traction emissions.
Their usage is beginning to enter operational service and the reports published by WSP and RSSB provide the required industry level-thinking around the operational application of battery trains and identification of opportunities for standardisation.
WSP has drawn on its extensive experience of battery train development for the Norwegian and Swedish rail networks, and in the UK, where it has previously explored the potential for battery train operation for Network Rail and the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT).
Aaron Barrett, Lead Research Analyst at RSSB, said: “This work provides important tactical insight for future battery train deployment. We are now using the work to inform RSSB’s battery train standardisations strategy with the aim of improving safety and reducing industry costs.”
Steven Hart, Associate Director, Rail Advisory at WSP, said: “We’re delighted to have worked collaboratively with RSSB to develop recommendations for safe, standardised and resilient battery train deployments on the GB Rail Network. Battery power has huge potential as a cost-effective method of supporting the decarbonisation of the UK’s transport system, and these recommendations aim to further the progress towards this.”
ENDS
