NEWRAIL turns rail infrastructure into energy assets

The value of NEWRAIL is not the solar panel itself, but the insight into how energy generation can become part of a complex, safety-critical rail system with viable business cases.

Sander Mertens

Introduction

Hundreds of kilometres of noise barriers along Dutch railways offer opportunities for renewable energy generation. NEWRAIL develops and tests a modular system to safely integrate solar panels into this infrastructure. The project focuses on system integration: combining civil structures, PV technology, electrical systems, energy markets, rail safety, maintenance, and environment into one functioning system.

Project background

Rail infrastructure is designed for safety and continuity. Adding PV introduces new interfaces, including structural loads, electrical interaction with traction systems, and vibration and shading effects. The DEI5919004 report shows that without system integration, risks arise in safety, reliability, and scalability.

Objective

Gain insight into technical, organisational, and economic conditions for safe and scalable integration of PV in rail infrastructure.

Target group

Rail operators, engineering firms, contractors, energy developers, and cooperatives involved in infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Method

The project used integrated work packages: modular mounting design, safety and maintenance analysis, connection to the ProRail energy system (AC/DC), stakeholder participation, procurement within safety frameworks, and monitoring development—approached as one integrated system.

Results

NEWRAIL developed a modular mounting system for PV on noise barriers. Analyses show strong interaction between PV systems and the rail energy system, with AC/DC coupling and grid congestion as key factors. The project demonstrates that traditional contracts are less suited for system innovation. A monitoring concept was developed but not yet fully implemented. Participation research shows acceptance depends on spatial context.
Core conclusion: energy generation along railways is fundamentally a system integration challenge.

Impact

NEWRAIL provides companies with insights into system risks and how to manage them early. It improves design and decision-making processes and supports scalability. The project highlights the need for collaboration across the value chain and contributes to innovation in infrastructure and the energy transition, as well as to applied research and education.

More information

Report: NEWRAIL – Public final report DEI5919004

Start and end date

2020 – 2025

Funding

Funded by the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth via Topsector Energy, executed by Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Collaboration

ProRail, TNO, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Municipality of Horst aan de Maas, Reindonk Energie & Co

Team

ProRail – lead
TNO – technical research
The Hague University of Applied Sciences – system analysis and participation
Sander Mertens

Contact

Research Group Energy in Transition – The Hague University of Applied Sciences