Researchers are attempting to harness the extreme winds found in railway tunnels for use in renewable energy facilities.
A team from the University of Manchester are designing vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) that capture airflow generated by trains moving through tunnels – known as the piston effect.
With standard overground trains, airflow typically reaches speeds of around 36–72km/h as the train passes. But with high-speed rail such as the Eurostar or France’s TGV, where trains travel at 250–320km/h, wind speeds can reach up to 180km/h.
The project, which begins with the Transpennine Route Upgrade project, will explore how this untapped energy source can be integrated into transport infrastructure, providing clean electricity and supporting the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
Because of challenges around ventilation, pressure changes and thermal issues, the piston effect can constrain train system design. The Manchester team hopes their new technology could help to turn these constraints...