Rolls-Royce and Porterbrook agreement will drive rail decarbonisation
Rolls-Royce is teaming up with Porterbrook to identify and develop
technological innovations to reduce carbon emissions and improve air
quality across the rail network. The two companies, who have signed a
memorandum of understanding, will investigate the potential for the use
of synthetic and net zero fuels, including hydrogen, both in fuel cells
and internal combustion engines. Building on their recent success of
jointly introducing hybrid battery-diesel railcars into passenger
service, the two companies will also explore the potential for advanced
hybridisation.
The relationship also includes considering the role of the wider rail
ecosystem in decarbonisation, including fuel chain supply,
infrastructure and operational models that can aid innovation and the
transition to net zero.
The UK’s railway accounts for approximately 1% of all domestic
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions* and the Government’s ambition is to
remove all diesel-only trains – both passenger and freight – from the
network by 2040 and achieve a net zero rail network by 2050. The UK
Government has identified a number of different routes to this target
including alternative forms of power such as hydrogen, fuel cells,
batteries, hybrid-electric and sustainable fuels.
Warren East, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said:
“We have extensive experience of rail technology and are
able to draw upon expertise from across our business in new net zero and
zero emissions technologies for safety critical applications. We are
committed to helping our customers make the transition to net zero by
enabling them to use our current and future products in a way that is
compatible with emissions reduction, and this relationship with
Porterbrook will help us further understand the options for
decarbonising rail transport. For us, playing a leading role in enabling
the energy transition is both a societal imperative and a very
significant commercial opportunity.”
Mary Grant, CEO, Porterbrook, said:
“We have been at the forefront of developing alternative
traction systems for rolling stock over recent years, through our
innovations and long-term asset management approach. Our partnership
with Rolls-Royce will mean that we continue to lead the UK’s rail sector
in sustainable solutions, by leveraging expertise across industries on
the pathway to net zero.”
Rolls-Royce, through its Power Systems business, has decades of
experience in providing drive solutions for rail with its mtu-branded
engines in service across five continents. The company has been
developing new sustainable solutions including the hybrid-electric mtu
Hybrid PowerPack for rail use. This technology recently entered
commercial service in the UK with Chiltern Railways on HybridFLEX
trains, supplied by Porterbrook, which reduce CO2 emissions
by up to 25%. Power Systems is already developing a range of engines for
power generation which can run on hydrogen; and is working on fuel
cells – that produce electricity – to be used as reliable power supply
in ships and heavy-duty off-highway vehicles. Last year, Power Systems
committed to release new generations of its most popular diesel engines
for use with sustainable fuels by 2023, this includes mtu Series 4000
engines which are today used in locomotives operating in conditions as
varied as Siberia and the Australian outback. From next year it plans to
have conversion kits available which enable mtu Series 4000 engines to
run on 100% hydrogen.
Porterbrook owns almost a quarter of the national passenger rail
fleet and currently has around 4,000 vehicles on lease or on order. The
business has an established reputation for delivering new technologies,
such as battery, hybrid and hydrogen powered trains. Alongside the
HybridFLEX and other hybrid trains in commercial service, the company
has developed HydroFLEX, the first hydrogen-powered train to run on the
UK’s mainline network. It can operate under electric, battery and
hydrogen power, making it the world’s first ‘tri-mode’ train.
Porterbrook was recently named Transport Sector Leader in the annual
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment, where
real estate and infrastructure organisations across the world are
compared based on their environmental, social and governance (ESG)
performance.
*2019 figures. UK Department for Transport: Decarbonising Transport, 2021
For further information, please contact:
James McGowan
Director of Corporate Affairs, Porterbrook
Tel +44 (0) 7932 749095
James.McGowan@porterbrook.co.uk
Simon Evans
Partner, Portland Communications
Tel +44 (0)7812 590 682
Simon.Evans@Portland-Communications.com
Richard Brooks
Consultant, Portland Communications
Tel +44 (0) 7740 858477
Richard.Brooks@Portland-Communications.com