Regenerative braking
Southeastern and our sister company Southern are the first train operating companies in the UK in introduce regenerative braking technology on our trains. This innovative system harnesses the energy from braking and returns it as electricity to the rail system.
Over 90 per cent of the overall energy consumption is used to power our trains, which makes it our biggest impact on the environment, and therefore provides the greatest opportunity to reduce carbon emissions.
Since 2008 we've been working with Network Rail to introduce regenerative braking on our Class 375 and 376 trains and in the past financial year we've reduced traction energy consumption by 5 per cent. This adds up to 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions that has been prevent from being released into the atmosphere.
Regenerative braking is on the initiatives led by Southeastern's Traction Energy Sub-Group which investigates ways to reduce traction energy consumption. The group has also led other initiatives such as reducing the amount trains use whilst "berthed", educating our drivers in energy efficient driving techniques, introducing a formal "coasting" policy, and improved route knowledge for drivers.
Newspaper recycling
To tackle the high volumes of free-sheet newspapers left on our trains we teamed up with Metro, Glasdon UK and Aylesford Newsprint to introduce an on-platform integrated recycling system at Ashford International station.
In partnership with Glasdon UK we developed the C-Thru bin which meets TRANSEC station security criteria, and its hood design complies with the UK standard RecycleNow scheme promoted by WRAP.
Paper placed in these bins is combined with paper waste from our offices at Ashford and collected by Aylesford Newsprint to be recycled.
Every tonne of newspaper recycled in this way avoid the release of 687kg of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
The scheme will be introduced at Bromley South station from Tuesday 2 March 2010.
Energy efficient lighting
Special 'smart' energy efficient lighting has been installed at six major depots: Gillingham, Grove Park, Ramsgate, Slade Green, St Leonards and Victoria sidings.
The overall energy consumed at these depots has reduced by 27 per cent due to the installation of Somar Eluma lighting. Each Eluma light senses both daylight and whethere someone is working nearby and automatically delivers the light required. Eluma lights can be programmed individually depending on the needs of the particular environment. Even when lit, the Eluma lighting typically uses considerably less energy than the previous traditional light fittings.
This joint initiative between the Go-Ahead Group and Southeastern has made a significant contribution to reducing our carbon footprint, reducing maintenance and improving working conditions with better quality light.
