Published on: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Last updated: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Greater Anglia has saved more than 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere, after installing energy management technology at some of its stations.
So far the amount of carbon saved is the equivalent to the carbon dioxide footprint created by 180 homes in a year.
In May 2019, WEMS (Wireless Energy Management Systems) were installed at more than 30 stations that were surveyed and identified as high energy consuming stations.
The WEMS equipment is a network of wireless sensors placed around the station in waiting rooms and offices, which communicate to a main control panel that helps regulate temperatures and reduce energy usage wherever possible.
Broxbourne, Manningtree and Great Yarmouth stations have seen energy reductions of more than 50%, while the average reduction across all stations was 20%.
So far, as well as benefitting the environment, the new system has resulted in savings of more than £300,000. These savings have covered the cost of the equipment and installation, and from November 2020 onwards the train operator expects to save around £250,000 annually.
Stephanie Evans, Greater Anglia Environment and Energy Manager, said: "We are very pleased that more than 650 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change, has been prevented from being released into the atmosphere, thanks to WEMS across our network.
"This is just one measure we are implementing to reduce our impact on the environment and help save energy. We will continue to monitor our energy performance and make further savings around the business.
"We are in the process of introducing an entire fleet of new trains, which are more efficient and produce less particulate pollution than our old ones. This will help to make rail travel in East Anglia an even more environmentally friendly option."
Earlier this year Greater Anglia was given an internationally recognised stamp of approval for businesses committed to reducing their impact on the environment
It was recognised for having a robust energy management system which commits it to reducing energy usage across stations, depots and trains.
In 2019, Greater Anglia reduced its total carbon emissions by 11% overall.
Wireless Energy Management Systems were installed at: Audley End, Billericay, Bishops Stortford, Broxbourne, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Clacton on Sea, Colchester, Ely, Great Yarmouth, Harlow Town, Hatfield Peverel, Hertford East, Ingatestone, Ipswich, Kelvedon, Lowestoft, Manningtree, March, Marks Tey, Prittlewell, Rayleigh, Rochford, Shenfield, Southend Victoria, Stowmarket, Thetford, Thorpe-le-Soken, Tottenham Hale, Waltham Cross, Ware, Whittlesford, Wickford, Witham.
Total WEMS savings in kWh = 2,561,938
Using carbon factor for last year: 0.2556 (using DEFRA, DBEIS factors)
Total saving in kgCO2e = 2,561,938kWh x 0.2556 = 654831.3528 kg
Total saving in tonnes CO2e = 654.8313528 tonnes
Calculation based on Bulb carbon tracker. One home = 3.5 tonnes per year