The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) has launched a new Centre of Excellence in Rail Decarbonisation, focused on supporting industry and government to lead the research and develop the solutions that will deliver rail decarbonisation.
As one of the world’s largest specialist rail research, education and innovation centres, BCRRE is well-placed to support the national agenda for delivering decarbonisation and are already leading the way in developing solutions for the railway in the UK and across the world.
The DfT policy paper, Decarbonising Transport: Setting the Challenge has been published at a timely point for BCRRE as they are currently developing new plans (following the COVID-19 issue) for an online launch of the new BCRRE Centre of Excellence in Rail Decarbonisation.
Decarbonisation is one of two railway grand challenges (along with digitalisation) that needs a strategic, whole-sector approach with government, industry and academia working together to develop ideas and solutions.
To support decarbonisation of the railway, academia needs to be providing the ideas and the knowledge to drive innovation – BCRRE are intent on rising to that challenge, demonstrated by a number of cutting-edge projects including the industry partnership with Porterbrook that delivered HydroFLEX, the UK’s first hydrogen train.
The new BCRRE Centre of Excellence in Rail Decarbonisation has 5 core capability areas:
- Sustainable Traction Systems, led by Dr Stuart Hillmansen
- Power Electronics, led by Dr Pietro Tricoli
- Climate Adaptation and Rail Resilience, led by Dr Andrew Quinn
- Aerodynamics, led by Dr David Soper
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Asset Management, led by Dr Sakdirat Kaewunruen and Dr Michael Burrow
These offer an indication of the range of projects BCRRE undertakes and the capabilities the Centre offers. To add, the new Centre of Excellence in Rail Decarbonisation does more than just research; it is led by a practical team keen to work in partnership with industry on innovation projects, as well as providing broader enterprise support and supply chain engagement through our Rail Alliance activities.
If you would like to find out more, please email: railway@contacts.bham.ac.uk
For up-to-date news and views visit our Twitter page @bcrre and LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/bcrre/
- Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education: The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is Europe’s largest specialist railway research, education and innovation centre. With over 170 academics, researchers and professional support staff, BCRRE provides world-class research and thought leadership within railways, and offers an expanding portfolio of high-quality education programmes. In 2018 BCRRE became lead partner in the £92m UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) and in 2019 it absorbed the activities of the Rail Alliance into its offering, increasing its breadth of support for innovation and growth in the rail industry. www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/railway/index.aspx
Photo credit: BCRRE
0113 2082620
info@railbusinessdaily.com
15 Mariner Court, Wakefield WF4 3FL
