Many rail networks are still reliant on diesel powered rolling stock, a major obstacle to systems’ transition to low emission transmission. The wholesale shift to electric power will require a complex, multi-year infrastructure upgrade programme. This is why rail network operators are increasingly exploring the retrofit of existing or procurement of new battery-based electric power rolling stock.
In Europe, the European Commission’s adoption of climate, enerrgy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions emissions has further influenced this.
We have been helping Irish Rail to navigate this programme of change, with a number of separate studies that would identify the best way for the network to make the transition, without sacrificing performance.
Cork Area Commuter Rail Phase 2 Review
We were appointed to independently evaluate the feasibility of using Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) technology on Iarnród Éireann’s (Irish Rail) network in Cork. Our rolling stock team provided traction power simulations to assess and validate the journey time, battery capacity and charging times provided by the network’s chosen rolling stock manufacturer. We were able to provide Iarnród Éireann with a summary of the risks associated with BEMU technology.
From an operational perspective, the shift from diesel fuel to battery electrification poses a range of important service, cost and infrastructure challenges. We used the proposed rolling stock and route data to calculate the energy consumption on a typical journey for various passenger and auxiliary loading scenarios. This information was used to approximate the static charging time at terminal stations and the impact that this would have on headway. We also assessed the feasibility of the charging power requirements against industry benchmarks.
In addition, we helped Iarnród Éireann to validate the 9-year life of the battery train could meet the minimum train service contract duration for both Cork and Dublin. Our investigations analysed a range of passenger loading scenarios to evaluate the required number of battery cycles per year. This gave us an informed picture of likely battery usage and performance over time.