The electricity and gas we use indirectly releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Around 90 per cent of our emissions are from the electricity we use to run our trains – approximately 220,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). We invest in green technologies to reduce this.
Regenerative braking
We invest in regenerative braking technology to harness the energy from braking and return it as electricity to the rail system. This technology will soon be installed on the majority of our trains.
Energy efficient driving techniques
Other initiatives include educating our train drivers in energy efficient driving techniques, reducing the mileage run by empty trains, and installing software modifications that reduce the electricity trains use when “berthed” out of use.
The electricity and gas used to heat and light our stations, depots and offices accounts for the remaining 10 per cent of our emissions – roughly 17,300 tonnes of CO2e each year. We also invest in green technologies to reduce this.
Energy efficient lighting systems
We’ve introduced a programme to upgrade our lighting to new energy efficient systems which use 60 per cent less electricity. And at stations we’re investing in Suntracker technology, an automatic time system for lights which adjusts to local sunrise and sunset times. We’ve also fitted Smart Meters to our buildings so we can monitor electricity and gas usage more accurately.
This year we’ve set ourselves the target of a 10 per cent reduction in the amount of electricity and gas we use at our stations, depots and offices. We’ll achieve this through a mix of technology and the efforts of our employees.
CRC Energy Reduction Scheme
Another incentive arrives in April – the new CRC Energy Reduction Scheme. The scheme asks us to purchase “carbon credits” for each tonne of emissions we produce at our stations, depots and offices.
Objectives -
- Reduce the amount of electricity we use per train and passenger kilometre.
- Continue to reduce the amount of electricity and gas we use at our stations, depots and offices.
- Increase employee awareness and involvement in energy saving initiatives.
