Page 8 - Innovation in energy management: contribution of railways to sustainable mobility

II. GENERAL ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION IN SPAIN

Spain is currently immersed in a period of energy transition with established and binding
decarbonisation objectives for the economy for 2030 and 2050 that affect all sectors, and
therefore transport. In this process, the public sector will play an essential role in designing
policies and mechanisms to address the challenges to be faced in the coming decades.

During the last five years, the technological activity in the field of energy on the railway
sector has been especially important, both in terms of the development of technological
projects as well as on the application of effective solutions for energy efficiency. In relation
to the projects, technological initiatives of significant importance and impact for the sector
have been developed (and continue to be developed). Specifically, since November 2016,
more than fifteen projects have taken place with the participation of different national
agents, evidencing the extensive activity of the sector in this field.

Regarding energy efficiency initiatives and solutions, all railway administrators and
operators have new plans (or updates of previous ones) for energy efficiency at company
level. In the case of electricity consumption, considering that more than 70% of this
consumption is used for traction electricity, the implementation of saving measures in this
area has been, and continues to be, very effective.

DC RAILWAY SERVICES

Focusing the analysis on DC electrical infrastructure, the most widely used in the Spanish
railway, highlights the penetration of energy recovery technology in electrical traction
substations. Companies such as ADIF, Metro de Madrid or TMB continue to install this
technology in their networks.

On the other hand, operators have continued to evolve and implement energy optimisation
modules in their ATO systems. Thus, for example, FGC will implement an ATO system with
an efficient driving module in 2023.

In general, the promotion of a culture of energy efficiency within the driving staff through
the training of drivers and the preparation and distribution of manuals of good practices to
carry out efficient driving, are other positive actions.

One aspect of significance refers to the progressive use of electric traction by freight
operators. It is worth mentioning here the FGC initiative which, from mid-2022, will begin
to change its diesel locomotives for the transport of goods for dual electric and diesel
traction locomotives, with savings of 70% in emissions. Additionally, some private
operators have begun to introduce electric locomotives with the latest technology.

AC RAILWAY SERVICES
An independent area of analysis would be that of railway services that use AC systems, such
as high-speed. These are very efficient services from an energy point of view (use higher
electrical voltage and electrical regeneration without the need to specify energy
recuperators in the traction substations). However, they are responsible for 45% of the
General Interest Rail Network (RFIG)'s total traction electricity consumption, which is why

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Position paper: Innovation in energy management: contribution of railways to sustainable mobility
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