Greater Anglia dials down energy use at its rail stations

November 15, 2021

Greater Anglia has saved more than 1000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from being emitted into the atmosphere, after installing energy management technology at some of its stations.

The Wireless Energy Management Systems (WEMS) were installed at more than 30 stations that were surveyed and identified as high energy consuming stations.

Since 2019, the WEMS network of wireless sensors have been in place around the stations’ waiting rooms and offices and have been communicating to a main control panel that helps regulate temperatures and reduce energy usage wherever possible.

As a result, Broxbourne, Manningtree and Great Yarmouth stations have seen energy reductions of more than 50 per cent, while the average reduction across all stations is 20 per cent.

Stephanie Evans, Greater Anglia Environment and Energy Manager, said: “We are very pleased that more than 1000 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change, have 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.”

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.

Last year, Greater Anglia reduced its total carbon emissions by 11 per cent, for scope 1 and 2 emissions, for the second year running.