London Underground Limited (LUL), operator of London’s 408 km underground railway network, used 1087 GW of electricity last year—approximately 3·5% of all electricity consumed in London. The figures were published in the company’s annual environment report in September 2004.1
Energy needs will continue to rise as the renewal of the underground system progresses, but LUL is taking steps to reduce consumption wherever possible and to purchase more electricity from renewable sources. Energy from these sources amounted to 14·9% of total consumption in 2003/04.
The Station Energy Challenge aims to reduce consumption by common sense means such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use. Last year’s target of 17·5% savings against a baseline was exceeded with record savings of 20·9% achieved.
In 2003 LUL’s head office in Broadway was also included in the Energy Institute’s energy efficiency accreditation scheme, which monitors commitment and investment in energy-efficient measures and progressive improvements. LUL met the criteria for inclusion and the premises management team meet regularly to review energy issues.
1. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change will have serious implications for the underground. It is predicted that in future London will experience hotter summers and wetter, milder winters. Very hot weather increases the likelihood of rails buckling in the heat and hotter conditions for passengers. There is also more potential for flash flooding, which brings inconvenience and could damage infrastructure.
To address the effects of future climate change, LUL has been working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) on a project to examine the effects of climate change on the London transport network. LUL is also working with the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne on a study into the effects of climate change on embankments and earth structures.
Although there is no swift or simple solution to keeping the underground cool in the summer, progress has been made in this area. The Mayor’s ‘Cooling the Tube’ challenge has received 3400 entries from 60 countries. Although many of the solutions proposed were considered impractical some are being taken forward for further consideration.
LUL is also working on a pioneering project with London South Bank University which would utilise cold ground water as a ‘reverse radiator’ to draw heat away from the tunnels and flush it out of the system. A new fleet of trains with air-cooling has been commissioned for the Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. These trains will begin to enter passenger service in 2009.
2. MINIMISING WASTE
LUL is also committed to waste minimisation. A reduction in paper waste was achieved by the introduction of Oyster cards. Since the rechargeable smart cards were launched in July 2003, the issue of magnetic paper tickets has fallen by 225 000 per four-week period and continues to fall.
The report comes at the end of LUL’s first full year with the public–private partnership in place. It has been working closely with the three private infrastructure companies—Tube Lines, Metronet SSL and Metronet BCV—to improve the reliability of services and the ambience of stations and trains. The company aims to ensure these improvements are achieved in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
LUL will continue to set stretching objectives for the coming year, and is confident it will meet future challenges and continue to provide a transport system with clear environmental and sustainable benefits.
