IRELAND: Iarnród Éireann is testing the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as drop-in replacement for diesel fuel on Cork commuter train services.
The national railway says the renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils and waste fats does not require significant engine modifications and can cut emissions by up to 90%.
The trial is expected to use 100 000 litres of HVO, which is being supplied by Corrib Oil. Iarnród Éireann has verified the relevant International Sustainability & Carbon Certification documentation which confirms that the HVO meets recognised sustainability and traceability standards.
Each of the two-car Class 2600 DMUs being used for the trial currently consumes between 3 000 and 4 000 litres of diesel per week. The pilot period is projected to cover 12 to 16 weeks of operation at similar burn rate. The DMUs will be branded with HVO decals to highlight the trial, and their performance and reliability will be monitored to assess the potential for wider deployment of HVO across the fleet.
Climate Action Plan
Iarnród Éireann currently uses 100% HVO on all track maintenance vehicles. Its Climate Action Plan commits to introducing HVO across its diesel fleet ’where appropriate’ by 2030, to meet short-term emission reduction targets.
‘This pilot is another important step in our efforts to decarbonise Ireland’s rail network’, said Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine on April 21. ‘In trialling HVO on our commuter fleet, we are testing a lower-carbon alternative that can be deployed quickly while we continue to invest in electrification and other long-term more sustainable solutions.’