RSSB2684 -T1145 Planning and supporting rail decarbonisation

RSSB is holding a "Pre-Market Engagement Event" for an upcoming project titled RSSB2684 -T1145 Planning and supporting rail decarbonisation on Wednesday 21st March from 13:00 to 15:00.

If you're organisation is interested in attending this event please email the following email address by Tuesday 20th March 17:00: Shareditt@rssb.co.uk -- Background The Rail Technical Strategy (RTS) seeks to assist the industry's strategic planning process, and a significant component of this is the 'optimum energy use' key capability.

This focuses on new approaches to meet the energy requirements of the railway system, including alternatives to diesel, smart grid technologies and battery/dual power systems, amongst others.

The proposed research project is intended to provide support on the decarbonisation of traction energy through the development of a roadmap and of an economic model to act as a decision support tool.

In addition to this, the work should complement a wider industry response to the call for 'decarbonising rail' by 2040 from the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Jo Johnson.

Scope of work The envisaged scope of work can be summarised as: The development of scenarios that will lead to decarbonisation of traction energy A range of scenarios for reducing and/or eliminating the network's carbon emissions associated with traction energy will be established.

The scenarios could include consideration of a range of factors: • Technology evolution over the next 20 years, including other modes • Trends in costs of electrification and other traction energy sources, including other modes • Rolling stock life cycles • Requirements on supporting infrastructure • Future freight and passenger services demand • Timing and scheduling requirements for achieving the desired outcomes • The associated challenges and risks The development of an economic model to investigate the relative attractiveness of options The economic model will assess the costs and benefits of different scenarios to establish the most viable scenario and key milestones to form a roadmap.

The model should consider elements including: • Investment requirements and funding options • Opportunity costs • Operational costs/savings • Timing factors • Benefit realisation across the broad impacts of the initiative • Risk factors • Economic and financial costs and benefits The development is expected to include engagement with the stakeholders that will be impacted in the delivery of the plan towards decarbonisation.

This will ensure challenges can be raised and mitigated within the scenarios.

The development of a roadmap to reduce and/or eliminate GB rail's traction carbon emissions After assessing the economic case from the identified scenarios, a roadmap and key milestones will be established.