Advances in Railway Electrification: Technologies, Systems, and Future Trends

Dear Colleagues,

According to the literature, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 26% of total primary energy consumption and is responsible for about 25% of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion. Railways constitute the most electrified transport mode; however, there remains significant potential for further electrification—currently around 45% in the European Union and considerably higher in many other regions. Railway electrification offers a valuable opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, exploit electricity generation from a wide range of sources (including renewables), deploy new and cost-effective energy storage technologies, and leverage advances in digital technologies for system and vehicle optimization and maintenance.

Several challenges emerge within this context. Decarbonization policies in the transportation sector are driving an increase in electricity demand, while public power systems in developed countries are already under stress due to demand growth and the integration of intermittent renewable generation. At the same time, railway electrification requires urgent modernization and expansion of rail networks, as heavier and more powerful trains are needed for both freight and passenger services, including high-speed rail. In addition, traffic cycles are being compressed to encourage a modal shift from road to rail, which entails significant changes and optimization of timetables. As a result, contemporary railway systems have become increasingly complex and difficult to manage, highlighting the need for new methodologies and tools to ensure the successful continuation of the electrification process.

This Special Issue aims to address the main challenges associated with railway electrification, including the design of innovative and energy-efficient vehicles; the testing and operation of energy storage systems for rail applications; the development of advanced locomotive solutions for heavy-duty services; the evaluation of new electrification paradigms and operational strategies, particularly for low-traffic lines (e.g., last-mile solutions and partial electrification); the growth of freight services driven by “shift-to-rail” policies; and the required interaction between public power systems and railway power networks.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Gabaldón
Guest Editor

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• railway vehicles
• electrified railways
• railway power systems
• energy storage
• regenerative braking
• railway timetables
• renewable energy sources in railways
• railway simulation
• overhead line systems and substations
• train control and operation