30.03.12
Green braking for South West Trains
A £2.2m investment in regenerative braking systems has been completed for South West Trains. Over 200 electric trains have been fitted with the new energy saving system.
The project was implemented in partnership with Network Rail and rolling stock providers Alstom and Siemens. The amount of electricity that will be saved annually is 50 million kWh; enough to power more than 11,500 UK homes for a year.
South West Trains engineering director Christian Roth said: “The roll-out of the regenerative braking system is a significant step forward in the environmental performance of our trains. It would not have been possible to coordinate and implement such an ambitious programme without the support and excellent working relationship with our Desiro Maintainer ‘Siemens’.
“Trains are already one of the most environmentally-friendly forms of transport and the completion of this project will provide our passengers with an even greener and smarter way to travel.
“We anticipate our energy consumption on the suburban network, where the first trials took place, will be reduced by up to 20%. As well as the obvious cost-saving benefits, we are also ensuring that energy previously lost is being put to good use by recycling it and helping to power other trains.”
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