Deutsche Bahn (DB), together with partner Enerparc, has opened a new solar energy facility in the northern federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. For the first time in Germany, solar energy from the site is fed directly into the grid for traction power. It is reported by Railway Supply magazine with reference to RailTech.

Solar power

The solar power plant covers an area of 400,000 square meters, which is equivalent to about 70 football fields. Electricity generated on site is fed into the 16.7 Hz traction current network via a converter plant in Neumünster, about 20 km north of Hamburg. The panels are expected to generate around 38 GWh per year and result in annual savings of 18,000 tons of CO2.

Multimodal terminal to be built in Reni Port

After the commissioning of the solar power plant, the share of green energy in the DB traction current mix is now 65 percent, while the share of green energy in the country’s total energy balance is still “only” 46 percent. Long-distance trains already use 100% clean energy. By 2038, the operator wants all of its traction current needs – about 10 TWh per year – to be covered by green energy.

Railway news you might have missed:

Greenbrier has increased its order book by $580m

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit