Track to Zero aims to assess the impact of 100% railway electrification on the transmission network across England and Wales, identifying existing and future congestion points. A key focus is exploring a novel battery storage solution to support railway electrification, potentially deferring or reducing the need for traditional railway feeder stations. By integrating energy storage, the project will evaluate grid flexibility, cost implications and network efficiency. A comparative cost analysis will be conducted, examining electrification costs before and after battery deployment. Findings will provide insights into grid constraints, cost savings and decarbonisation pathways, supporting efficient railway electrification while minimizing network stress. The learnings will inform all Network Licensees across GB as well as Network Rail on optimal investment strategies for a sustainable rail network.  

Benefits

The project facilitates the energy system transition by promoting decarbonisation of the railway sector and reducing transmission network system costs. The decarbonisation of the railway sector is supported by the reduction in fossil fuel dependency which aligns with Net Zero targets such as phasing out diesel trains by 2040 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Electric trains are inherently more energy efficient than diesel trains and require lower overall energy consumption for the same transportation output. Trackside battery hubs will operate in conjunction with traditional feeder stations to provide flexible capacity to the network, which will help defer/mitigate future network infrastructure requirements and reduce operational costs. These benefits positively impact end-consumers due to reduced energy and railway costs. Those in rural areas can also benefit from improved grid reliability as grid infrastructure is more limited in these locations.