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HITACHI RAIL News
Brand new battery technology to be trialled on TransPennine train
First-ever trial in the UK to replace a diesel engine with a battery on an intercity train is underway.
Testing of the UK's first intercity battery train commenced recently. The battery, which generates a peak power of more than 700kw, has now been successfully retrofitted onto a TransPennine Express 'Nova 1' train (five-carriage intercity Class 802), ahead of the trial on Transpennine routes this summer.
This is the first UK trial where a diesel engine is replaced with a battery on an intercity train. The trial is a collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
The single battery unit is incredibly powerful, storing enough electricity to power more than 75 houses for a day. This impressive energy and power density will deliver the same levels of high-speed acceleration and performance, while being no heavier than the diesel engine it replaces.
The installation of a battery will reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. It is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by as much as 30% on a Hitachi intercity train.
Most importantly for passengers, the trial will test how intercity trains can enter, alight and leave non-electrified stations in zero-emission battery mode to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.
The battery has been manufactured with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland, utilising the battery sector that has developed in the North East of England.
The trial will provide real-world evidence to inform the business case for a 100% -battery-electric intercity train, capable of running up to 100km in battery mode. This remarkable range means this battery technology could be deployed to cover the final non-electrified sections of intercity routes in the coming years. It will also demonstrate how battery technology can reduce infrastructure costs by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.
Angel Trains, the owner of the Class 802 units, sees this investment in the Hitachi Rail product as extremely important, with the benefits extending to the North East and the broader rail industry. This type of private sector investment in leading edge technology is critical to the success of UK rail.
The trial, and the industrial opportunity presented by battery trains, means rail can help grow the domestic battery sector.
The development of this battery is an important step for the rail industry both home and abroad. Hitachi Rail has an ambition to install this battery on trains around the world, potentially creating a UK export and improving energy efficiency.
There are thousands of trains running across the world that are powered by diesel engines, which will need to be decarbonised to meet net zero targets. In Italy, the Masaccio has instantly cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the diesel trains it has replaced. The ability to replace diesel engines with a powerful battery, and unlock cheaper partial electrification, can create a low-cost pathway to decarbonise railways around the world.
This is the first UK trial where a diesel engine is replaced with a battery on an intercity train. The trial is a collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
The single battery unit is incredibly powerful, storing enough electricity to power more than 75 houses for a day. This impressive energy and power density will deliver the same levels of high-speed acceleration and performance, while being no heavier than the diesel engine it replaces.
The installation of a battery will reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. It is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by as much as 30% on a Hitachi intercity train.
Most importantly for passengers, the trial will test how intercity trains can enter, alight and leave non-electrified stations in zero-emission battery mode to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.
The battery has been manufactured with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland, utilising the battery sector that has developed in the North East of England.
The trial will provide real-world evidence to inform the business case for a 100% -battery-electric intercity train, capable of running up to 100km in battery mode. This remarkable range means this battery technology could be deployed to cover the final non-electrified sections of intercity routes in the coming years. It will also demonstrate how battery technology can reduce infrastructure costs by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.
Angel Trains, the owner of the Class 802 units, sees this investment in the Hitachi Rail product as extremely important, with the benefits extending to the North East and the broader rail industry. This type of private sector investment in leading edge technology is critical to the success of UK rail.
The trial, and the industrial opportunity presented by battery trains, means rail can help grow the domestic battery sector.
The development of this battery is an important step for the rail industry both home and abroad. Hitachi Rail has an ambition to install this battery on trains around the world, potentially creating a UK export and improving energy efficiency.
There are thousands of trains running across the world that are powered by diesel engines, which will need to be decarbonised to meet net zero targets. In Italy, the Masaccio has instantly cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the diesel trains it has replaced. The ability to replace diesel engines with a powerful battery, and unlock cheaper partial electrification, can create a low-cost pathway to decarbonise railways around the world.
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