Pioneering the advancement of rail decarbonisation

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Globally, rail transport accounts for 4.2% of the greenhouse gas emissions threatening our planet. In the UK, while this may be as low as just 1%, this is enough to place it high up on the UK Government’s agenda to achieve a target of net zero emissions by 2050. The ambitious plan sets out to remove all diesel-only passenger and freight trains from the rail network by 2040, posing a challenge for areas of infrastructure not yet equipped for electrification.

As part of its plan, the UK Government has carefully identified several key innovation routes to achieve this target, which include alternative forms of power relating to hydrogen, fuel cells, batteries, hybrid-electric and sustainable fuels.

On track to net zero

At Rolls-Royce, we’ve been working with the UK’s largest rolling stock owner, Porterbrook to meet this challenge. The HybridFLEX – a hybrid diesel-battery-electric train powered by two mtu hybrid PowerPacks for passenger and freight rail launched in 2021 with UK operator, Chiltern Railways and entered into service last week for the first time. The HybridFLEX delivers a hybrid journey that combines the advantages of diesel and battery-powered traction while cutting carbon emissions by up to 25%. It can be operated on non-electrified routes purely electrically and thus locally emission-free. When it’s in pure electric mode, noise is also reduced by about 75%, making it particularly useful for noise-sensitive places such as urban areas or train stations.

Porterbrook has already pioneered HydroFLEX, the first hydrogen-powered train to run on the UK’s mainline network, which can operate under overhead electric, battery and hydrogen power, making it the world’s first ‘tri-mode’ train.

These achievements demonstrate the pivotal role technology is already playing in the transition towards a net zero future and how forging partnerships that cross industries and new technologies is the key to helping us explore and develop at scale.

Combined efforts

As we move forward, it’s imperative that at Rolls-Royce, we identify the key partnerships that will enable us to harness the combined power of these wider industries and technologies and propel us on the journey to net zero. We know that no individual sector, industry or field of technology can provide all the answers, and we have already made considerable progress to ensure the companies we work with and infrastructure ecosystems we operate within are better placed to support our and the country’s targets.

Now, we have solidified our commitment further and have signed a memorandum of understanding with Porterbrook to continue to identify and develop ways in which we, as pioneers of engineering, can reduce and eliminate carbon emissions from rail travel. Our aim is to power the UK’s journey towards its 2050 target and, ultimately, play a vital role in the global effort to address the impact of climate change.

Further innovation

Together with Porterbrook, we will investigate the potential for the use of synthetic and net zero fuels, including hydrogen, both in fuel cells and internal combustion engines. Alongside this, we will also be working with and considering the role of the wider rail ecosystem in supporting decarbonisation, from looking towards our supply chain and infrastructure to enabling the operational models that can aid further innovation and the transition to net zero.

The investments we make now will not only reduce emissions throughout the UK but provide more reliability across the network and boost rail capacity, making the partnership a key commercial opportunity and a victory for cleaner energy.

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