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Renewable rail power

Riding Sunbeams is a unique organisation Ricardo are supporting that explores the potential for solar power as an alternative energy source for the rail sector.

During 2019, around 100 solar panels were installed next to the trackside in Hampshire funded by Innovate UK. This is the first time in the world that renewable zero-carbon electricity had been directly supplied to an adjacent rail line.

The solar test unit, of just under 40kWp, connects to an ancillary transformer on the traction system of Network Rail's Wessex Route , with the energy captured from the panel array used to help power trains passing through Aldershot as well as supplying signalling and lights.

Although it could be said that railways already make use of solar power as it is a contributor to the UK's grid - this is the first time solar panels have been directly connected to the railway.

The project aims to show that lineside solar electricity could prove cheaper than energy from the grid and could provide as much as 10% of the southern region's power needs in the UK.

Solar rail pioneer Riding Sunbeams is currently working with Ricardo, Thrive Renewables, Cuckmere Community Solar and Network Rail to deliver the UK's first full-scale solar traction farm at a site in East Sussex, having secured a further £2.5 million of funding from the UK government's post-covid stimulus package, the Getting Building Fund.

This project opens up opportunities to utilise renewable energy technologies in ways not previously possible. Colin McNaught

This project opens up opportunities to utilise renewable energy technologies in ways not previously possible.

Ricardo teams provided their expertise in power generation research and their experience of connecting renewable energy technologies to existing infrastructure.

According to Ricardo's Colin McNaught, who has been advising the trial programme, the project is a unique opportunity to tap into an underused zero-carbon option:

"This project opens up opportunities to utilise renewable energy technologies in ways not previously possible. It has the potential to provide significant opportunities in enabling rail infrastructure operators and governments to deliver the environmental changes needed for a 'net zero' future."

For more information see the Riding Sunbeams site or take a look at our latest article on it here.

If you have a challenges integrating renewable power supplies into a railway environment then get in touch via the form to discuss how we can build better railways together.