The study, called KVU Green, is part of the government’s National Transport Plan and analyzed how to reduce emissions on Norway’s railway lines which lack electrification. It studied various power options for decarbonization including biodiesel, hydrogen, battery, and electrification.
As part of KVU Green, the Norwegian Railway Directorate assessed socio-economic, technological development and risk factors for each power option. Alongside the Nordland Line, decarbonization options for the Røros, Solør and Rauma lines, which all lack electrification, were also explored.
The study found that partial electrification and battery-powered trains were the most affordable options for the decarbonization of the Nordland Line. It recommended that this project is prioritized as it is more affordable than the decarbonization of the Røros, Solør and Rauma lines.
The concept for the Nordland Line includes catenary systems on specific sections of the line, which can charge batteries on trains to be used when electrification isn’t available. “The concept works best for the Nordland Line due to higher energy efficiency and lower operating costs than the hydrogen alternative,” the study noted. This project is estimated to cost NOK 6.5 billion (€576.3m).
KVU Green recommended that full electrification is provided on the Røros and Solør lines as it is “marginally” more affordable than hydrogen operation and is preferred when considering similar modes of operation on adjacent tracks such as in Kongsvinger and Dovre. The study notes that it will cost approximately NOK 8.6bn (€762.5m) to electrify both lines.
For the Rauma line, the study revealed that none of the decarbonization concepts were “economically profitable.” The study noted, “The hydrogen concept comes closest…because the concept has low costs for investment in infrastructure, and the relatively high operating costs have little impact because of low traffic.”
The KVU Green study recommended that the Rauma line continues to use diesel power for the time being, while further solutions with significantly lower costs are being investigated. The Rauma line accounts for a very small proportion of the emissions from the railway (about 3%), so continuing to use diesel is considered acceptable.
The KVU Green report has now been put out for consultation with a deadline of November 12, 2023. It will be handed over to the Ministry of Transport and will form part of the knowledge base for the upcoming National Transport Plan.