Powering Trains with Sunshine: The Future of Electric Rail Innovation

Across the world, many trains still run on diesel, a fuel that comes from fossil sources and causes pollution. However, there is a growing movement to switch trains to electric power, which is cleaner and better for the environment. In the UK, at Aldershot station, some trains are powered by solar panels placed right next to the tracks. These panels use sunlight to generate electricity, and on sunny days, part of the energy for the trains comes directly from them. Leo Murray, the founder of Riding Sunbeams, says that this is the cheapest electricity available for railways. The solar array at Aldershot is small, but it proves that renewable energy can be used to power trains directly.

Traditionally, electric trains get their power from overhead wires or electrified rails, but installing these systems can be costly and complicated. Sometimes, the local electricity grid cannot provide enough power for the trains, which makes electrification difficult. Solar panels can help solve this problem by providing power right where it is needed, next to the tracks. After the Aldershot project, Leo Murray wanted to build a larger commercial pilot, but funding issues stopped him. Now, Network Rail, which manages railway infrastructure in Great Britain, is looking for new rail-side renewable energy projects, and Riding Sunbeams plans to bid for a contract.

New projects bring new challenges. At Aldershot, the track was already electrified, so it was easy to connect the solar panels. But for trains switching from diesel to overhead lines, using solar power is harder because solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, while overhead lines use alternating current (AC). Engineers in England are working on solutions to this problem. In another example, Colton Junction between Leeds and York was recently electrified with the help of software from the University of Huddersfield. The software creates a 3D model of the overhead line system, allowing engineers to plan construction in detail and reduce costs. In Poland, a company called Nevomo has developed an electromagnetic propulsion system that uses magnets to move freight wagons without locomotives. Each wagon can move independently or in groups, and the system allows for quick stops and increased density of freight transportation. Nevomo plans to test its technology at a steel plant in Germany and a port in India. In the US, Parallel Systems is developing battery-powered freight wagons that can move independently and cover long distances. The company hopes to offer a rail-based delivery service that can compete with trucking. Experts say that electric trains are now the preferred option for new railways, but new technologies must prove they are practical and profitable.