Battery project could pave the way for electric trains

This could see trains running on battery power over non-electrified lines, before charging at terminal stations, or using their batteries to run over diesel lines in electrified parts of the railway.

In a statement, Richard Eccles, Network Rail’s director of network strategy and planning said, ‘We see this project as an important element of our strategy of increasing the electrification of the rail network, delivering improved sustainability whilst reducing the burden on the taxpayer.

‘If we can create an energy storage capability for trains, electric traction can be introduced to more parts of the network without the need to necessarily extend the electrification infrastructure.’

Funding is coming from Network Rail, the Enabling Innovation Team, which is hosted by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), and the Department for Transport.

David Clarke, director, Enabling Innovation Team at RSSB said, ‘Energy storage on trains is a typical example of a development that’s good for passengers, taxpayers and the long term future of the railway but…it is difficult for individual businesses to make the business case to invest in the technology. To help prove the business case we are funding up to 30 per cent of the technology demonstration.