The DDflyTrain project – in which Ricardo is collaborating with digital hydraulics specialist Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd and world-leading rail technology expert Bombardier Transportation – received the award for the ‘Most Interesting initiative in safety and sustainability’ at the Rail Exec gala dinner on Saturday evening, November 29.

The Rail Exec ‘Most Interesting Awards’ are intended to celebrate the most interesting ways that companies are achieving the movement of people and freight safely and efficiently by rail. The DDflyTrain project was recognized in the safety and sustainability category for its research into the combined application of Ricardo’s TorqStor high speed flywheel energy storage system and the Artemis Digital Displacement® hydraulic pump-motor transmission, on diesel multiple unit trains. The award citation stated that: “Regenerative braking is no longer just for electric trains as Ricardo, Artemis and Bombardier have been working to store energy using flywheels spinning at 45,000rev/min”. The award was accepted on behalf of the DDflyTrain project by Ricardo VP of Innovation David Rollafson, and Henry Dobson, research and development engineer for Artemis Intelligent Power.

“The application of high speed flywheel technology as an enabler for regenerative braking on the diesel multiple unit fleet, has the potential to make an important contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of rail travel,” commented David Rollafson. “We are pleased that the DDflyTrain project has been recognized with this important rail industry safety and sustainability award and look forward to moving to the testing phase of the project in the coming weeks.”

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Picture caption: David Rollafson (centre) and Henry Dobson (right) receive safety and sustainability award from Allan Spence Director of Safety Strategy at Network Rail