In a move towards a more sustainable future, the railway industry is exploring innovative ways to electrify its operations, with renewable energy playing a crucial role. One such initiative is the work of Riding Sunbeams, a start-up aiming to utilise renewable resources for rail electrification projects.
At Aldershot station, a cluster of solar panels nestled by the tracks is quietly powering the trains that pass through. “On a sunny afternoon, if you are catching a train through Aldershot, a little bit of the energy for that train will come from those solar panels,” says Leo Murray, co-founder and chief executive of Riding Sunbeams.
The Aldershot array, built in 2019, is a small-scale demonstration of how renewable energy can be directly integrated into the railway system. According to Murray, it is currently the only solar array in the country that delivers power directly to the rails to move trains. “If you are a railway, this is the cheapest electricity you can buy,” he adds.
However, the path to railway electrification is not without its challenges. Traditional methods, such as electrified rails or overhead lines, can be expensive and technically complex. This is where innovative solutions are emerging, including efforts to overcome the limitations of the local electricity grid.
Network Rail, the owner and maintainer of railway infrastructure in Great Britain, is now seeking suppliers for rail-side renewable projects, a move that Murray sees as a significant opportunity for Riding Sunbeams. “This is the big one,” he says, expressing the company’s plans to bid for a contract.
Elsewhere, researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed software that creates a 3D model of the overhead line system, allowing engineers to plan its construction in meticulous detail. This approach has already been used to electrify the Colton Junction, the fastest railway junction in the UK, where trains now run at maximum speed.
Beyond solar power, other innovative technologies are also being explored. Polish start-up Nevomo has developed an electromagnetic propulsion system that can be retrofitted onto existing tracks, eliminating the need for traditional locomotives. “We eliminate locomotives completely,” says Ben Paczek, founder and chief executive of Nevomo. “Each wagon becomes independent. They can also operate in groups.”
In the United States, Parallel Systems is working on electrifying individual freight wagons with batteries, allowing for more flexible and efficient freight transportation.
Stuart Hillman, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, emphasizes that while these technologies are physically feasible, the key challenge lies in managing the business case. “All of these technologies are physically feasible and can work, the thing is managing the business case,” he says.
As the railway industry continues to embrace renewable energy and innovative solutions, the transition towards a more sustainable future is gaining momentum. These developments not only contribute to environmental goals but also promise to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of rail transportation.
