Greener rail in South Wales
New National Grid connection enables TfW line electrification for faster and greener trains.
Image for illustration purposes.
Wales, Pontypridd: New National Grid connection enables TfW line electrification for faster and greener trains.
Transport for Wales (TfW) electrified a substantial part of the track on its Core Valleys Lines after National Grid connected two new circuits at its Upper Boat substation near Pontypridd, enabling the rail operator to replace noisy and less environmentally friendly diesel trains with faster, greener, battery-electric hybrid solutions.
The connection forms a key part of the wider programme of rail improvements being undertaken by TfW to upgrade 170 km of the track. The achievement marks a significant milestone in the Welsh Government’s wider plans to provide a South Wales Metro to better connect the communities of South Wales with an integrated network of bus, rail and active travel that make sustainable travel easier across the region.
The on-board battery storage capabilities of the innovative trains procured by TfW allow for sections of the route to be operated without overhead line equipment (OLE) above the train, avoiding the need for re-engineering complex areas. The resilience of the power supply remains paramount to the network’s operation as the trains’ batteries will need to be recharged when operating under the live OLE.
As National Grid’s standard trackside transformers were three times the capacity required for this project, its project team worked with TfW to engineer a bespoke solution for the connection – investing in the design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of two 275/25kV traction transformers to make the connection. The supergrid transformers weighing approximately 107 metric tons were successfully installed at the Upper Boat substation in Pontypridd. The connection also required an extension to the existing National Grid Upper Boat 275 kV substation.
The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said: “The Metro is one of the most complex engineering projects taking place anywhere and it’s great to finally see all the pieces coming together. By connecting into the grid we are now able to test our new electric trains and allow staff to learn how to operate them.”
Paul Taunton, Lead Project Manager at National Grid, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement from all involved to connect these new circuits at Upper Boat and help Transport for Wales progress its transformation of the Core Valleys Lines into cleaner, greener rail services.
Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW, commented: “The energisation of the first section of the Core Valley Lines is a key milestone in the progression of the South Wales Metro scheme and a historic moment for the rail industry in Wales. It has taken a lot of work and collaboration between a number of organisations, and we would like to thank the National Grid for their work on this project.”
Source: National Grid
#National Grid#overhead line equipment#supergrid transformer#traction transformer#Transport for Wales