As part of the preparations and impact assessment for the next legislative framework governing European partnerships...
Public Consultation: Shape the future of European partnerships
read more
Energy Module for Off-Grid Regional Railway Assets
Europe’s railway sector is working towards more sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure. At the same time, regional railway assets must continue to operate reliably in locations where access to conventional energy infrastructure may be limited, creating a need for alternative approaches to powering remote assets.
The solution
As a complement to wireless technologies aimed at reducing cabling requirements, the solution developed by Europe’s Rail (EU-Rail) enables traditional railway assets, such as level crossings and switches, to be supplied with energy in remote locations through an integrated energy module.
The objective is to provide year-round power supply for such systems using renewable energy. This requires long-term energy storage to enable a seasonal shift, i.e. the production and storage of energy during periods of high renewable yield for later use during extended periods of limited renewable generation. Given that the required energy quantities may be significant while the actual power demand remains comparatively low, hydrogen-based storage systems may be a suitable option. This approach supports climate-neutral operation while avoiding dependency on alternative external fuel chains.
Readiness for Industrialisation and Deployment
The solution is currently at prototype stage and will be tested under laboratory conditions as part of the finalisation activities of the EU-Rail first wave. The planned roadmap foresees further evolution of the individual components and their integration into a large-scale on-site demonstration during the EU-Rail second wave.
ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG aims to develop new energy management strategies that enable the safe and reliable operation of off-grid regional railway assets.
Maturity level
TRL 5. The maturity level is expected to increase towards TRL 6 through further development, integration and demonstration activities.
Expected benefits
The main expected benefit is the reduction of installation costs and implementation time, particularly through the minimisation of cabling requirements.
In addition, the solution contributes to the development of more sustainable railway infrastructure by enabling renewable and self-sufficient energy supply for remote assets.
Who benefits
Infrastructure Managers
Railway operators
Conclusion
The solution provides a renewable and self-sufficient energy supply for remote railway assets, reducing the need for extensive cabling and installation work. By lowering CAPEX and OPEX and supporting more efficient energy consumption, it can also contribute to improved operational resilience where grid access is limited.
Learn more about the project
FP6-FutuRe
This solution has been developed within the EU-Rail Flagship Project FP6-FutuRe, whose overall objectives are to ensure the long-term viability of the regional railway by reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO), while ensuring high service quality and operational reliability.