British rail operator LNER and the company Treeva have installed three small turbines along the East Coast Main Line that capture energy from the airflow created by moving trains and convert it into electricity. The pilot project, located at Hitachi Rail’s Craigentinny depot, is being touted as a first for the British rail network.
The turbines, approximately 1.8 meters tall, were made from recycled materials and do not require a grid connection. The idea is that they can be placed on unused land near railway lines and power various local equipment.
What these turbines can power
According to the companies involved, the energy produced by a single turbine could cover: In the five-turbine configuration, the annual reduction in emissions would exceed 12,000 kilograms of CO2, the equivalent of planting approximately 500 trees.
- approximately one-third of the lighting needs of a small train station;
- four CCTV cameras;
- two passenger information screens.
A test lasting at least six months
The three turbines will remain installed at Craigentinny for at least six months, during which time the energy produced and the technology’s performance in a real-world railway environment will be analyzed.
LNER says that the data obtained during this period will determine the next steps and show whether the solution can be expanded to other areas of the British network.
Treeva emerged from a railway innovation program
Treeva is one of the companies to emerge from the Future Labs program, through which railway operators collaborate with tech startups to develop new solutions for the industry.
After winning the People’s Choice Award in the program, Treeva continued working with LNER to adapt the technology to the railway environment, which has now led to the installation of the three turbines.
If the trial confirms the initial promises, the solution could become an attractive option for powering small railway equipment without the need for heavy energy infrastructure.
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