With the rising cost of fuel and pressures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the rail community faces its biggest challenge yet: to find a cost effective, energy efficient and sustainable alternative to diesel oil. Although rail is seen as the most environmentally sustainable mode of transport, operators fear that future margins may be squeezed due to the price of fuel, moreover, to safeguard their long-term investments in traction, an accurate and reliable assessment of the fuel market is crucial…
The Future Fuels Rail Traction Summit will dissect the current fuel market into its most essential proponents, gathering global rail operators, rolling stock manufacturers and fuel providers to tackle both imminent and long-term problems facing the rail industry in assessing the future provision of traction power. The summit will be an innovative forum for industry experts to share practical results from pilot-tests, pioneering research and industry debate on the next step for rail fuel.
Part 1 will tackle the immediate drivers for change; how operational management of train operations can reduce energy usage by utilizing the latest technologies for train management. Our expert speakers will also provide a comprehensive assessment of the most imminent techniques including Regenerative Breaking, Trackside Energy Storage and Driver Training.
The initial sessions will also assess what the industry wants from new fuel in terms of cost, energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental impact. How will the most immediate alternative fuel: Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel stand up to scrutiny from the premier researchers in the field?
Also, is biofuel the best short-term solution? Where is the biofuel supply coming from? Can it deliver the required reduction in emissions? Is it sustainable? Will this fuel be compatible with existing rolling stock in the long run?
Our global panel of experts will unveil up to the minute results from biofuel trials; assessing the effect of varying blends on engine function, ways of minimizing the impact on operations during the transition to alternative fuel use and the decision criteria for examining biofuels’ suitability for rolling stock.
Part 2 of the summit provides a comprehensive assessment of the most advanced new fuels being considered for rail use. With such uncertainty surrounding the future of fuel provision, global railways and researchers will bring up-to-date findings on feasibility studies using Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Technology- clarifying its potential as the most promising fuel of the future and asking the most pressing questions: Can the technology deliver? Is it safe to carry on board? Is it sustainable?
The later sessions will also provide case studies on: Hybrid Vehicles as a short to medium-term option, the suitability of Solar Power and Methane Biogas for traction and clarity on the global potential for Electrification as a clean energy alternative despite huge costs and logistical barriers.
All of these questions will be answered with a comprehensive assessment of the most viable fuels available today and in the near future to provide rail operators with the tools and information needed to minimize their risk of investment and attain lasting functionality from their engines and stock.
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Graham Smith, Strategy Director, EWS
Nick Coad, Head of Environmental Strategy, National Express Group
Roy Deitchman, VP for Environmental Health and Safety, AMTRAK
Anirudh Gautam, Director of Engine Development, Indian Railways
Louisa Bell, Head of Environment and Energy, Eurostar
Johan Sandström, Environmental Specialist, Green Cargo
John Hawkins, Group Rail Technical Director, First Group
Marina Thiounn, Project Manager for Energy, SNCF
Anne Bacher, Managing Director, PLW Arriva
Francisco Carrion, Planning Director, FCCA
Bryan Donnelly, Vehicle Engineering Manager, ATOC
Professor Alberto Alvarez, Advisor
and Researcher for , Renfe
Alessandro Basili, Manager of Environmental and Work Safety, Trenitalia
Maaike Van Mourik, Head of Innovation, ProRail
Bertil Carlson, Project manager, Svensk Biogas
Craig Wilson,
Environmental Sustainability Planning Manager, Asciano
Enno Wiebe, Project Manager, UIC/ Hyrail
Eduardo Pilo, IIT Researcher, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Madrid
Giovanni Pede, Senior Researcher Mechanical Engineering, ENEA
Duncan Bott, Co Founder, Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association
Stan Thompson, Chairman, HEAT
Bojan Dremelj, Traction Department, Slovenian Railways
Gregor Hribar, Business
Unit Manager, Genera Lynx
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