Norways National Railway Directorate has concluded The Null Emissions Solutions for Non-Electrified Railways (Nullfib) study which concludes that the best replacement for diesel traction is battery trains combined with partial electrification.
The study, which was conducted between January and December 2019 in cooperation with Norske Tog and infrastructure manager Bane Nor, considered which zero emission solutions are an alternative to fossil fuels, while offering the best financial savings, and what is the best option for further investment.
The project considered five options: hydrogen, biogas, biodiesel, battery, and battery operation with part electrification.
According to the study, battery-based technology is the most durable and robust solution for replacing diesel traction on the railway combined with partial electrification.
The Railway Directorate said, This concept is compatible with todays technology and can therefore be used on the entire existing rail network."
A transition to zero-emission solutions will reduce the railways carbon footprint, and will provide favourable socio-economic savings. At the same time, this will also increase rails competitiveness with other forms of transport."
Technological developments within zero-emission solutions are very fast. It is therefore important that choices are made as strengths, rather than weakening the railways competitiveness in a price-sensitive transport market. This means that the railway must be adequately equipped for an increase in the number of passengers and freight at a time when mobility must increasingly involve zero emissions.
The study, which was conducted between January and December 2019 in cooperation with Norske Tog and infrastructure manager Bane Nor, considered which zero emission solutions are an alternative to fossil fuels, while offering the best financial savings, and what is the best option for further investment.
The project considered five options: hydrogen, biogas, biodiesel, battery, and battery operation with part electrification.
According to the study, battery-based technology is the most durable and robust solution for replacing diesel traction on the railway combined with partial electrification.
The Railway Directorate said, This concept is compatible with todays technology and can therefore be used on the entire existing rail network."
A transition to zero-emission solutions will reduce the railways carbon footprint, and will provide favourable socio-economic savings. At the same time, this will also increase rails competitiveness with other forms of transport."
Technological developments within zero-emission solutions are very fast. It is therefore important that choices are made as strengths, rather than weakening the railways competitiveness in a price-sensitive transport market. This means that the railway must be adequately equipped for an increase in the number of passengers and freight at a time when mobility must increasingly involve zero emissions.