All trains in the Netherlands now operate using electricity generated by wind power, providing carbon-neutral travel to 600,000 daily passengers. Dutch energy firm Eneco coordinated the switch to renewable energy in partnership with NS, the country's primary rail operator. The project was originally set for completion in 2018, but a recent rise in the number of windfarms in the Netherlands allowed the companies to reach their goal one year early. A UK research team is looking at the possibility of powering trains using track-side solar panels. The Renewable Traction Project is a collaboration between Imperial College London, Community Energy South, Turbo Power Systems, Energy Futures Lab and charity 10:10. Researchers will look at the possibility of converting third-rail systems, which provide electricity through a power line near the ground, in order to connect solar panels to train lines directly.
All trains in the Netherlands now operate using electricity generated by wind power, providing carbon-neutral travel to 600,000 daily passengers. Dutch energy firm Eneco coordinated the switch to renewable energy in partnership with NS, the country's primary rail operator. The project was originally set for completion in 2018, but a recent rise in the number of windfarms in the Netherlands allowed the companies to reach their goal one year early. A UK research team is looking at the possibility of powering trains using track-side solar panels. The Renewable Traction Project is a collaboration between Imperial College London, Turbo Power Systems, Community Energy South, Energy Futures Lab and charity 10:10. Researchers will look at the possibility of converting third-rail systems, which provide electricity through a power line near the ground, in order to connect solar panels to train lines directly.