A project led by Network Rail and Colas Rail has used solar lighting and power generation to prove the viability of a sustainable ‘Site of the Future’, achieving 97% diesel-free operation in support of a major rail renewal project at Llanwern, South Wales.
The joint Network Rail and Colas Rail initiative used solar and battery technologies from portable solar expert Prolectric instead of diesel generators to save 6,000 litres of fuel, and more than 15 tonnes of CO2 during a 14-day project centred around a 72-hour possession over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.
The results are being presented as a significant achievement that marks an environmental milestone towards clean, carbon-free off-grid working, in support of Network Rail’s CP6 target to reduce non-traction energy consumption by almost 20% and carbon emissions by 25%.
Ryan Ballinger, Production Manager for Colas Rail, said: “A 97% diesel reduction at the first attempt is great achievement. Saving close to 6,000 litres of diesel is the same as driving a family car at 40 mpg twice around the circumference of the world.
“It’s also clear where we have learnt the lessons from Llanwern so we can aim to close that small gap. We really want to get to that 100% fuel-free figure by the time of our next challenge, planned for a rail renewal project later in the summer.
“There’s no doubt these technologies are going to be a complete gamechanger and we need to push on to get to a place where using this type of technology is just business as usual.”
Power and light
Prolectric’s “clean, silent” solar lighting and power generation technologies were used across the site covering more than 21-acres. This included access roads, the welfare cabin area, car parking and the track working area itself, where the London to Cardiff main line meets the Llanwern steelworks spur, near Newport. The set up and core works spanned a period of around 14 days leading up to and following 72-hour possession, with more than 70 rail staff employed on site.
Two 25kW Solatainer® solar generators replaced conventional diesel generators providing light and heat for seven welfare cabins, including site offices, a canteen, toilets and a drying room. The Solatainer is modelled on a standard 20ft shipping container with an array of photovoltaic solar panels charging on-board lithium ion batteries.
A total of 21 Prolectric ProLight solar tower lights illuminated the site compound, car parking and work preparation areas, as well as being deployed on the trackside, where 200m of ProTrack battery-powered link lighting was also used. Prolectric ProTemp column street lights were positioned along the access road to the site.
Widening the range of application
It was just as important to explore and extend the range of renewable applications, including a new solar-powered Gate Guardian camera security system. It was also possible to demonstrate the versatility of using portable lithium battery packs, recharged as necessary from the solar generators to power dust suppression systems, water cooler stations and point motors.
Using diesel generators to support rail renewal work has been the only option for reliable off-grid power. Now viable solar technologies are being seen as a vital contribution to non-traction carbon targets, as well as to reduce the noise, smell and air pollution from diesel exhausts, especially next to residential areas.
The first thing that staff and visitors noticed at the Llanwern compound was how quiet it was, compared to the usual continual background hum of diesel generators.
“The environmental impact of running diesel generators all day on a major worksite like Llanwern is absolutely huge,” explains Ballinger. “It’s not just about carbon emissions; our lineside neighbours are very important to us. By using solar harvesting, we’re not polluting their environment with unwelcome fumes and noise.”
The Llanwern Site of the Future project is seemingly the culmination of determined development work driven by Network Rail and Colas Rail to adapt and refine solar and renewable technologies for the rail industry, with an aspiration to achieve diesel-free operation as standard.
Ryan Ballinger, explains: “We have worked closely to drive the development of suitable on-site solar tower lights and walking lights. Now at Llanwern we have been able to add solar generators for the first time and moving forward we want to add smaller plant and tools such as disk saws and band saws.
Cost savings
The Llanwern project not only provided feedback to help refine the solar and battery technologies, but also identified energy-efficiency initiatives that can contribute to 100% diesel-free operation.
Chris Williams, Managing Director of Prolectric, said:
“This has been a very successful collaboration with Network Rail and Colas Rail. The Llanwern initiative has proved that diesel-free operation is possible and was a vital learning experience for us, so we can move eliminate the use of any diesel for lighting and welfare on future projects.”
Working in close collaboration with rail partners, Prolectric expects further advances in solar and battery technology in future to drive forward the capabilities of off-grid solar light and power generation so it continues to become more powerful, compact and versatile.
