Railway traffic accounts for more than 1 percent of the total energy consumption within the Netherlands. In view of the present drive towards cleaner, more energy-efficient and more sustainable transport, all stakeholders within the railway sector have set themselves targets for a more economical use of energy.
Strukton Rail is working on projects and systems which are aimed to reduce energy consumption and to promote the use of cleaner energy sources.
Power supply chain
As a full-service provider we have technical knowledge of the entire power supply chain. Based on our know-how in this field we can help our clients to integrate their measures in a cohesive solution
Measuring
Since different operators are using the railway infrastructure, accurate measuring of power consumption by trains and systems has become more important in order to be able to allocate the costs. Strukton’s preventive maintenance and breakdown diagnosis system POSS helps railway operators to get an insight in their power consumption and user characteristics. The information yielded by the system offers scope for new energy saving measures.
Recycling of energy
Whenever a train brakes, it generates energy. Only a part of that energy is captured and fed back into the power supply system. Strukton Rail researches ways to store the energy that would otherwise go to waste. The recaptured energy helps to power the train when it pulls out of the station.
Alternative fuels
Internationally an increasing number of railway companies plans to replace their diesel fuelled locomotives by cleaner and more economical engines, Based on an international cooperation agreement, Strukton Rail contributes its know-how as a systems supplier to the development of hybrid locomotives. Strukton Rail is also involved in exploratory studies into hydrogen fuel cells, a promising technology that is still in its infancy .