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EVERSHOLT RAIL News
A NEW DAWN FOR STEAM ON THE RAILWAY
Steamology has secured its first commercial contract with Arup and Eversholt Rail to support the evaluation of green steam to eliminate all freight train emissions.
Image: Freepik
Steamology, a green technology start-up company in West Dean, Hampshire, has secured its first commercial contract with Arup and Eversholt Rail to support the evaluation of green steam to eliminate all freight train emissions.
Electrification, and use of electric heavy-haul freight locomotives, is the most energy-efficient way to move goods on land. However, large parts of the national rail network remain unelectrified, and this project will provide a complementary means of zero-emissions goods transportation by rail.
Steamology has developed a patented new technology to generate high pressure steam without carbon emissions by burning hydrogen in oxygen inside small modular steam generators. This zero-carbon “green” steam can be created at a mega-watt scale. The New Dawn project will apply this innovation to rail by converting a Class 60 locomotive to a full powered prototype, heralding a return to steam after a break of more than 60 years.
This conversion will replace the diesel engine with 20 steam generators, four steam turbines and 140kg of gas storage, creating a 2MW zero emission steam locomotive. Conversion work is planned to commence in the UK in 2025. If successful, this technology could be applied as a modification to existing locomotives or incorporated into newly-built products by locomotive manufacturers.
Arup is providing consultancy and design services to support the conversion work.
Project partner Freightliner is also providing operational input and experience.
Steamology, a green technology start-up company in West Dean, Hampshire, has secured its first commercial contract with Arup and Eversholt Rail to support the evaluation of green steam to eliminate all freight train emissions.
Electrification, and use of electric heavy-haul freight locomotives, is the most energy-efficient way to move goods on land. However, large parts of the national rail network remain unelectrified, and this project will provide a complementary means of zero-emissions goods transportation by rail.
Steamology has developed a patented new technology to generate high pressure steam without carbon emissions by burning hydrogen in oxygen inside small modular steam generators. This zero-carbon “green” steam can be created at a mega-watt scale. The New Dawn project will apply this innovation to rail by converting a Class 60 locomotive to a full powered prototype, heralding a return to steam after a break of more than 60 years.
This conversion will replace the diesel engine with 20 steam generators, four steam turbines and 140kg of gas storage, creating a 2MW zero emission steam locomotive. Conversion work is planned to commence in the UK in 2025. If successful, this technology could be applied as a modification to existing locomotives or incorporated into newly-built products by locomotive manufacturers.
Arup is providing consultancy and design services to support the conversion work.
Project partner Freightliner is also providing operational input and experience.
www.eversholtrail.co.uk
