Institution news
Q: Please can you kindly explain your role and involvement with the seminar?
Robert Doberski, Fleet Engineering Manager, West Midlands Trains (RD): In my day job I manage all engineering activities related to the Class 323 fleet based in the West Midlands. I am co-coordinating the event alongside Tom Scott with the aim of sharing experiences from across the rail industry of developing and implementing battery and hybrid technology.
Tom Scott, Project Engineer, Porterbrook (TS): I am co-coordinating the event alongside Rob Doberski, brining together the best people in the industry to talk about battery technology in new and existing rolling stock.
Q: What is unique about this forthcoming event?
RD: The seminar is a unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders who are at the forefront of introducing battery and hybrid technology into the UK rail sector. There are multiple pilot projects that are already happening across the country and this event brings together many of those experts to share their experiences and best practice for future projects.
TS: The unique opportunity to listen to industry leaders in battery technology and understand how the future of the railway is already happening in innovative projects across the country.
Q: What are the main reasons why you decided to put the event together?
RD: With the UK looking to phase out all diesel-only trains by 2040 and with electrification plans being rolled back I thought this was a perfect time to bring together speakers from the industry to discuss this challenge and how battery and related hybrid traction technologies can help us achieve this goal.
TS: With electrification being scaled back, and the government's decarbonisation commitment to operate a net-zero railway by 2050, batteries and associated technology will be fundamental to deliver this target.
Q: What are the biggest challenges when it comes to battery/hybrid technology implementation in rail in your opinion?
RD: I can’t profess to being an expert on the subject, but the biggest challenges I can see are:
1. How do we take a whole system approach to combining battery and hybrid rolling stock with infrastructure projects to deliver the most reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for customers?
2. How do we introduce battery and hybrid technology into the freight sector where trains can weigh thousands of tons?
3. How will the UK supply chain have to adapt to support the new technology?
TS: Quite frankly, I don’t know, which is why I am very excited to have put together this seminar. Industry experts will talk about their challenges and achievements and by the end of the seminar, each attendee will be able to draw their own conclusions as to the biggest challenges faced when it comes to battery technology.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for rail operators and rolling stock manufacturers to join this online event?
RD: I think we’re at a critical point in the industry regarding how we reduce our reliance on diesel and decarbonise the railway. There will be no single solution that can achieve this objective and therefore it’s extremely important for professionals across the industry to understand the challenges and opportunities that battery and hybrid powered traction systems will bring. This event represents the best opportunity to learn from those who are leading the implementation of this technology.
TS: With electrification not being possible on all parts of the rail network, for various reasons, coupled with the government's commitment to operate a net-zero carbon rail network by 2050, it is clear that batteries will play a huge part in our industry over the next thirty years. Making the right decisions now will only influence the future, and we have a panel of industry experts to present and answer questions on the current use, and future of battery technology on the railway.
Batteries included: The challenges of adopting battery and hybrid technology in the rail industry will be taking place as a live online seminar on 4 May 2022.
Join this seminar to:
- Learn more about the role hybrid and battery powered vehicles will play in resolving the environmental, noise pollution and health implications facing the industry
- Gain insight into challenges of upgrading existing railway vehicles to become hybrid or battery powered and how these are being managed
- Understand the considerations necessary for introducing new railway vehicles that are hybrid or battery powered
- Discuss the operational implications of adopting alternative traction systems
- Grasp the importance of a whole system mindset to maximise the benefits of introducing hybrid powered railway vehicles, including how these can complement increased electrification
- Find out more about the role the UK supply chain can play to support the growth and adoption of these new technologies and how you could fit into that
To book your place, please visit the event website.