Riding Sunbeams: powering our railways with solar PV

On 6 December Energy Futures Lab, in association wiith 10:10, Community Energy South and Turbo Power Systems, launch their new study exploring the potential for solar to directly power our rail, tube and tram systems. The report is the first result from the Renewable Traction Power project funded by Inovate-UK.

Description

Rapid falls in the costs of solar energy are taking place alongside a massive global rollout of rail electrification, but power grids are struggling to keep up. Using trackside solar PV to supply traction power directly to electrified railways can help to overcome this, by cutting out the grid altogether and generating clean electricity exactly where it is needed. But this has still not been done anywhere in the world – yet.

Renowned historian and rail enthusiast Dan Snow will give a brief introduction that sets this contribution against the backdrop of the long arc of innovation and progress in locomotive technology.

The evening will also feature a series of presentations, which will be followed by a panel Q&A session.

Speakers:

• Leo Murray, 10:10’s director of strategy
• Dr Nathaniel Bottrell, Research Associate at Imperial College London and study lead
• Ollie Pendered, Community Energy South Chair