Association of Train Operating companies (ATOC) has unveiled plans to make the UK rail network more energy efficient through biodiesel fuel and more widespread use of regenerative braking on electric train fleets.
Trials are being run throughout the year to test blended biofuels on diesel passenger trains, which if successful will see initial roll-outs within the next 18 months and further introductions over a three-year period.
The blended fuels involve testing traditional diesel fuel with varying amounts (5%-20%) of seed-based oils, such as rape seed. These will undergo initial ”live” tests on the network over the summer, with Virgin Trains testing one of the higher diesel/seed oil ratios (20%) on one of its Voyager services.
Plans are also in place to extend the number of electric trains with regenerative braking ” a scheme that returns between 15%-20% of the power used on each train back to the National Grid as re-useable energy.
The technology has already proved successful in its use on Virgin Pendolino Trains, Central Trains” Class 323s and 350s and more recently One Railway”s operations out of London Liverpool Street and c2c”s from London Fenchurch Street.
Work has begun on introducing the technology on electrified systems in London, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, with South West Trains undertaking tests over the summer to use the system on its Class 458 trains. If successful, work will start in 2008 to introduce regenerative braking on 85% of the UK”s electric network.
”Rail is one of the greenest forms of mechanised transport,” said ATOC engineering director, Ian Papworth, adding: ”These programmes demonstrate that rail is taking a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint and will ensure that train travel remains an environmentally friendly mode of transport for the 21st century.”