What we delivered

  • Helped prepare Iarnród Éireann's network for electrification and decarbonisation, to meet EU legally binding greenhouse gas emission reductions

  • Evaluated BEMU technology feasibility in Cork and planned new BEMU rolling stock on parts of DART system

  • A feasibility study for electrification of the 100-mile Dublin to Belfast ‘Enterprise’ line

Get in touch with our team

Many rail networks are still reliant on diesel powered rolling stock, a major obstacle to systems’ transition to low emission transmission. The wholesale shift to electric power will require a complex, multi-year infrastructure upgrade programme. This is why rail network operators are increasingly exploring the retrofit of existing or procurement of new battery-based electric power rolling stock.

In Europe, the European Commission's adoption of climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions emissions has further influenced this.

We have been helping Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) to navigate this programme of change, with a number of separate studies that would identify the best way for the network to make the transition, without sacrificing performance.

Cork Area Commuter Rail Phase 2 Review

We were appointed to independently evaluate the feasibility of using Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) technology on Iarnród Éireann’s network in Cork. Our rolling stock team provided traction power simulations to assess and validate the journey time, battery capacity and charging times provided by the network’s chosen rolling stock manufacturer. We were able to provide Iarnród Éireann with a summary of the risks associated with BEMU technology. 

From an operational perspective, the shift from diesel fuel to battery electrification poses a range of important service, cost and infrastructure challenges. We used the proposed rolling stock and route data to calculate the energy consumption on a typical journey for various passenger and auxiliary loading scenarios. This information was used to approximate the static charging time at terminal stations and the impact that this would have on headway. We also assessed the feasibility of the charging power requirements against industry benchmarks. 

In addition, we helped Iarnród Éireann to validate the 9-year life of the battery train could meet the minimum train service contract duration for both Cork and Dublin. Our investigations analysed a range of passenger loading scenarios to evaluate the required number of battery cycles per year. This gave us an informed picture of likely battery usage and performance over time. 

Iarnród Éireann is exploring the retrofit of existing or procurement of new rolling stock to transition to electric or battery power across its network.

DART+ Coastal North battery transition

In a related commission and as part of DART+ Coastal North, we also helped Iarnród Éireann to plan and implement new BEMU rolling stock on parts of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) network. Once again, our work focused on identifying how battery storage rolling stock can be implemented within a partially electrified system, with supporting energy storage and charging solutions that can deliver the required level of passenger service. Our engineers tackled this in a comprehensive way, developing a system of charging points, lithium cell storage and new substations to support DART’s ongoing transition from diesel to electric power. This programme will complete in 2030, by which time the entire DART system is planned to be running on electric and battery storage rolling stock.

Electrifying the Dublin Connolly – Belfast Lanyon Place Enterprise service

In another related study, our team conducted a feasibility study for electrification of the Dublin to Belfast ‘Enterprise’ line, a 100-mile stretch of railway. Our work explored three main options, with various effective combinations of AC and DC power combined with battery storage. 

We carried out detailed service and traction modelling against each of these combinations, to establish how the network would be impacted by different options. This was supported by cost analysis to ensure the electrification solution aligns with the network operator’s budgets and financial planning. Our engineering study also recommended next steps for the line, such as track improvements to allow line speed increases, introduction of passing loops and four tracking and elimination of level crossings, to reduce journey times between Dublin and Belfast.