Assessing Network Rail’s unused land for renewables development
As a part of the wider movement of reducing climate change, Network Rail has set carbon reduction targets for its non-traction activities aiming for a 25% reduction by the end of 2024. As a part of this, the company has identified sustainable land use as a way to offset or mitigate climate impacts; this could be achieved by developing renewable energy facilities on its existing unused land. As Network Rail is a large landowner, this meant there was the need to understand the potential of the unused land for use for renewable energy generation and/or storage.
RSK and subsidiary company ADAS were asked to provide a feasibility assessment for unused sites and spare land at depots in the Wales & Western region.
The RSK GIS team carried out a desk-based screening exercise to create a shortlist of potential sites to take forward for further assessment. This exercise used relevant criteria such as land parcel size, shape and proximity to infrastructure, designated areas and other environmental constraints. This was followed by a detailed desk-based study of the shortlisted sites that involved reviewing Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photography, local authority policy maps and other publicly available information.
As a result of the desk-based study, several sites were rejected on technical or environmental grounds while others were flagged for potential development as solar photovoltaic projects. ADAS and a specialist subcontractor were brought in to carry out a high-level economic assessment to provide further information on their potential generating capacity and financial viability.
The results of our feasibility assessment and desk-based studies helped Network Rail to identify which of its unused land parcels has the most potential to be developed for renewable energy and take forward further detailed technical investigations. Our experience in the renewables sector, its technical and financial requirements, and the constraints relating to the environment and planning enabled us to provide a service for the client identifying sites with real potential for development.
- Location: United Kingdom
- Client: Network Rail
- Project status: Completed
Supporting the creation of a new garden village in Cheshire
View ProjectRepairing lightning damage on a wind turbine in Scotland
View ProjectHelping Singapore meet its future waste disposal needs
View ProjectDesigning and assessing an onshore wind farm in the Highlands of Scotland
View ProjectDesigning and assessing proposed windfarms in Scotland
View ProjectEnvironmental and social risk appraisal support for African “power-to-x” development
View ProjectConsulting on the construction of the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Singapore
View ProjectBringing international best practice and process to phase 2 of Singapore’s Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
View ProjectFacilitating renewable energy investments in Europe
View ProjectEnsuring shale gas projects for Poland and beyond
View ProjectProviding award-winning storm water solutions for urban flooding challenges
View ProjectUpgrading sewage treatment facilities to serve community needs in Hong Kong
View Project
1 of 18
📢 Join us at the #WorldWaterTech Innovation Summit to discuss practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced by our water and wastewater systems.
🤝 Attend our Fireside Chat, where Siôn Brackenbury from RSK’s TerrAffix will be speaking on ‘Waste to Value: Advancing Resource & Nutrient Recovery'
We look forward to seeing you there!
#WaterSector #WaterIndustry #Innovation #Tech #Summit #Wastewater
🌎 As a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, we won’t shy away from our role in the huge task the world faces – this has guided our growth over the last year.
💚 We strive for sustainability in all that we do and our commitment to this has been reaffirmed in our FY22 sustainability report.
Read more in our story!
#Sustainability #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Sustainable
📸 #selfiesonsite 🤳
@facaderemedialconsultants's team were on-site with a contractor in Bristol, progressing another Building Safety Fund project! 👏
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities 👉 www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #construction
😮 Natural wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests: 35% of global wetlands were lost between 1970 and 2015, and overall, 85% have been lost since the 1700s.
💧 It's #WorldWetlandsDay, which aims to raise awareness of the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet.
💚 We need to change our mindset around these essential habitats and their importance.
#Wetlands #Environment #Environmental #Sustainability #Sustainable
📢 We are delighted to welcome leading infrastructure group @pensarinfrastructure to the #RSKFamily.
💧 This strategic move will see Pensar join RSK Australia and bolster the Group’s expertise in water and critical infrastructure in the region.
Find out more in our stories!
#WaterSector #WaterIndustry #Water #Australia #Infrastructure
💚 From carbon neutrality to net zero, many terms and key phrases are often used interchangeably to talk about sustainability.
🤔 But what do all these keywords and phrases mean?
Find out in our story!
#Sustainability #Environment #Sustainable #Environmental #NetZero #CarbonFootprint
📸 #selfiesonsite 🤳
RSK Geophysics Michael Puntorno out on-site providing SafeGround service avoidance for @rskgeosciences as part of a site investigation next to the River Trent.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities 👉 www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #geosciences
🌎 As the scale of worldwide habitat loss becomes clear, the biodiversity crisis is gaining more attention on the global stage.
🌳 We asked green roof and ecology expert Dusty Gedge for his views on creating more sustainable urban landscapes.
Read more in our story!
#GreenRoofs #Biodiversity #Environmental #Environment #Sustainability #Ecology
Malcolm Croft is 86 years old and is still working hard at our @structuralsoils lab! 💚
Read his inspiring story in our bio!
#Inspiration #WorkCulture #EmployeeAppreciation #Employee #Inspiring