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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/wind-power-clean-energy-trains-turbines-b2971479.html>
“For centuries, the gusts of air produced as Britain's trains rush around the
country have been wasted – until now.
In a UK first, rail company LNER have installed three experimental wind
turbines alongside the track, to harness the turbulent airflow blasted out by
passing high-speed trains and turn it into electricity.
The turbines, named "Windiana Jones", "Sir Spins-a-lot", and "AC Breezy", have
been installed alongside the East Coast Main Line at Hitachi Rail’s
Craigentinny depot in Edinburgh by LNER and clean energy infrastructure firm
Treeva.
The six‑foot‑tall devices, made from "upcycled materials", are the first
turbines to be operated next to a UK main line. They require no grid
connection, and their design allows for easy deployment on hitherto unused
railway land close to the tracks.
According to LNER, the trial could pave the way for a roll out of such
technology "across Britain's rail network".
At this stage the clean energy the turbines produce will be harnessed,
measured, and used to power a range of devices, enabling a better understanding
of the potential power-generation opportunities available to rail operators.
"A single turbine can generate enough energy to power a third of a small
station's lighting needs, four CCTV cameras, or run two passenger information
screens," LNER said. "Five turbines have the capacity to reduce emissions of
more than 12,000 kilograms of CO₂ each year – the equivalent of planting 500
trees."
The project is the product of the Future Labs rail industry innovation scheme,
which pairs rail operators with tech start‑ups to tackle industry challenges.
Treeva, a graduate of the programme and winner of its People’s Choice Award,
has been working with LNER to adapt its technology for rail environments.
"Our goal is to transform the way transport infrastructure is powered," said
Treeva co‑founder and chief executive Anjali Devadasan. "By capturing energy
created by passing trains, we can turn unused land into a meaningful source of
clean power and enable sustainable systems that pay for themselves within
months."”
Via Rhysy and Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
