Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have announced a new digital signaling system that has the potential to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent. The system, called Digitale S-Bahn Hamburg 2.0, is currently being tested on the Hamburg S-Bahn network.
The Digitale S-Bahn Hamburg 2.0 system uses a variety of technologies to improve energy efficiency. It uses sensors to track the position of trains in real time, which allows for more precise train spacing and reduces the amount of energy wasted when trains slow down or stop.
The system also uses a new type of signaling that allows trains to communicate with each other directly which eliminates the need for signal boxes, a traditionally major source of energy consumption.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, the Digitale S-Bahn Hamburg 2.0 system also has the potential to improve the reliability and punctuality of train services as the system can automatically adjust to changing traffic conditions, helping prevent delays.
Dr. Kristian Weiland, DB head of development Digitale Schiene Deutschland: "With the Digital Rail, we will operate trains even more energy-efficiently in the future. In addition to providing additional capacity and higher reliability, the technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent, according to initial estimates.
“Considering the current energy demand of the S-Bahn Hamburg, we would save the energy consumption of 10,000 households per year in the Hanseatic city alone. Here at the S-Bahn Hamburg, we are developing the technology that will later be used nationwide."
Kay Arnecke, Managing Director S-Bahn Hamburg: "The new project is another step towards the digitization of the S-Bahn Hamburg. We have been very successful with the pilot route of the Digitale S-Bahn in passenger service since last September. Now we can create further prerequisites for an efficient and energy-saving digital S-Bahn operation of the future."
Furthermore, the system reduces peak loads in power consumption by preventing multiple trains from starting simultaneously on the track. The project will also include a study to investigate the potential of energy recuperation through inverters into the public power grid.
The project is being funded by DB, the city of Hamburg, and Siemens Mobility and is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
Image Credit: Istock
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