The Govia Thameslink Railway’s community of photo voltaic panels at Denmark Hill and Streatham Hill generated 236,387kWh of vitality in 2022.
Photo voltaic panels on the roof of Blackfriars station – Credit score: GTR
As a part of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) dedication to a extra sustainable future, the rail operator has a community of photo voltaic panels at Denmark Hill Station, Streatham Hill Depot, and Blackfriars Station – which on the time of set up, was the most important photo voltaic on the planet. -powered bridge.
In 2022 alone, throughout Denmark Hill Station and Streatham Hill Depot, the photovoltaic (PV) arrays generated 236,387kWh of vitality. That is equal to boiling the kettle to make an unimaginable 7.5 million cups of tea. Power generated by way of photo voltaic panels additionally saves 46 tons (45,713kg) of CO2 per yr.
In 2021, 526 photo voltaic panels have been put in in collaboration with Community Rail on the roof of Streatham Hill Depot, as a part of a brand new cooperative vitality mission with group local weather motion group, Power Backyard, which turns it into an area supply of renewable vitality. At Denmark Hill Station, as a part of an initiative to ship the primary “carbon optimistic” improve to the rail community, a brand new sort of photovoltaic movie has been fitted to the brand new roof with the power to supply extra vitality than of the brand new constructing that’s wanted and positioned. vitality again into the electrical energy grid.
As well as, it’s estimated that Blackfriars Station alone produced 900,000 kWh of vitality final yr due to the 6,000m2 of PV panels put in on the roof of the station when it was rebuilt by Community Rail as a part of the Thameslink Program in 2012. The PVs lower CO2 emissions by 513 tonnes per yr – equal to nearly 89,000 common automotive journey.
Credit score: GTR
“Everyone knows that touring by rail is a sustainable possibility,” mentioned Jason Brooker, GTR’s Head of Atmosphere. “Nevertheless, at GTR we need to make it possible for our dedication to decarbonisation and sustainability is obvious for our passengers to see. We’re already taking steps corresponding to guaranteeing that each one the electrical energy we use at our stations and depots comes from on inexperienced vitality tariffs utilizing renewable vitality belongings, in addition to our effectivity – from LED lights to the best way we warmth our workplaces. Making our personal vitality, together with by way of non extremely profitable photo voltaic panel community, is the following logical step. We’re more than happy with the outcomes to this point – and hope that is the beginning of many financial savings to return.
“Producing our personal renewable vitality by way of photo voltaic panels is a key a part of our sustainability plan for Community Rail’s Southern Area,” mentioned Sarah Borien, Head of Atmosphere and Sustainability for Community Rail. Southern Area, mentioned. “We’re delighted that GTR shares our ambition and that we’ll work collectively to make our railway cleaner and greener than ever.”
