Far North Railway Line, Scotland, UK
Delivering innovative rail technologies for Telent
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- Power Station
- Far North Railway Line, Inverness, Scotland
Summary
Telent’s Environment and Sustainability Vision is to become a leading partner in the journey toward net-zero emissions while delivering exceptional service and solutions that support its customers’ climate action goals. In collaboration with supply chain partners, Telent is focused on positively impacting communities affected by its operations. Over the coming months, Telent will showcase its progress toward net-zero through a series of detailed case studies.
90%
Emissions Reduction
80%
Power Needs Met By Solar
£500,000
Cost Associated With Traditional Methods
The Challenge
Telent, in collaboration with WJ Sunstone, has developed a cost-effective renewable power supply solution for remote locations along the Scottish Far North Line, where extending power cables would cost upwards of £500,000. This innovative hybrid solution significantly reduces environmental impact and operating costs while ensuring maximum reliability.
The renewable power system developed by Telent and WJ Sunstone can supply up to 80% of the installation’s power needs through solar energy. This system is complemented by a battery storage facility and a hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) turbine generator from Bladon, which operates with only 10% of the emissions produced by traditional diesel generators. This solution not only meets current power needs but also lays the groundwork for broader applications in more localised and smaller-scale installations, supporting the broader transition away from fossil fuels.
The Solution
Railway stations are vital for connecting people, communities, and businesses, serving as transportation hubs that link remote areas with urban centres. Telent maintains critical telecommunications systems that ensure stations remain operational and trains run smoothly, providing integrated solutions across much of the UK’s rail infrastructure.
Telent has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This commitment encompasses emissions throughout the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to customer use of products and services. Telent has set a near-term target to reduce all emissions by 50% by 2030.
The Scottish Far North Line, known for its remote and inaccessible stations, presents unique challenges for power supply. These “request stop” stations, accessible only by rail and miles from the nearest road, are essential links for local communities. Despite their remoteness and lack of mains services, these stations remain critical.
The Result
Telent devised a more sustainable solution, currently tested at Inverness, in partnership with Sunstone Systems. This renewable hybrid approach includes:
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Solar Array: Providing primary power for at least 80% of the year.
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Battery System: Storing power for nighttime and low sunlight periods.
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Back-up Biofuel Generator: Utilising hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
This sustainable solution offers numerous advantages for railway infrastructure, particularly in remote locations:
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Reduced costs and CO2e emissions.
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Zero onsite CO2e and noise emissions when operating on solar/battery compared to diesel generators.
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Biofuel back-up generator produces 99% less CO2e than diesel equivalents.
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Fuel deliveries reduced from six per year for diesel to one for HVO, minimising travel emissions.
By embracing these innovative and sustainable technologies, Telent and WJ Sunstone are not only addressing immediate power needs but also paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for railway infrastructure.
Engineered for both temporary and permanent power applications, the Power Station embodies reliability, sustainability, and rapid deployability, ensuring you have access to a consistent and clean power source when and where you need it most.
Find out more from Telent: https://telent.com/news/telent-develops-innovative-off-grid-renewable-power-solution
