SBB has made extensive energy savings by technically modifying existing rolling stock. More than 50 measures are currently being implemented on the rolling stock. The following list provides some examples.

New Re460 converters.

The Re 460 locomotives have been retrofitted with state-of-the-art traction converters as part of a modernisation drive. The converters deliver energy to the traction motors and feed power back to the contact line when the locomotive is braking. As a result, the locomotives save almost 8% energy, or around 30 gigawatt hours per year.

Sleep mode.

Almost all SBB trains today are equipped with a sleep mode: when parked, the train goes into sleep mode and the heating is switched off. In some vehicles, the subsequent start-up is automated according to the daily timetable. This allows sleep mode to be managed even more precisely, further improving energy efficiency and saving SBB around 50 gigawatt hours per year.

Automatic train control optimization.

The fans, compressors, pumps and power units are switched on and off automatically only when required. The drive and brake systems have also been technically optimised for greater energy efficiency, saving SBB around 25 gigawatt hours per year.

State-of-the-art rolling stock makes better use of the energy available. There are therefore great opportunities to further boost energy efficiency through the purchase of new rolling stock in particular.

It has been scientifically proven that the more punctually the trains run, the less energy the overall system requires. An optimised interaction between the timetable, rail operations and the driving style of the locomotive crew is therefore essential to achieve punctual and energy-efficient rail operations. The following list provides some examples.

‘Green wave’ for rail.

Since 2015, the innovative adaptive control system (ADL) has been used to optimise and facilitate continuous traffic flow for all trains in Switzerland. The system provides engine drivers with driving recommendations ahead of signals, enabling them to avoid unplanned stops and energy-intensive starts. This saves SBB around 70 gigawatt hours per year. In 2016, SBB was awarded the Watt d’Or for its ADL system.

Optimised driving profile.

In 2020, the vPRO feature was introduced to complement ADL. The optimised driving profile is sent to the engine drivers shortly before departure based on daily updated information on rolling stock, track works and service journey patterns. The locomotive crew can use the precise, operational times to select the optimum driving strategy for the situation. This results in fewer braking manoeuvres and stops ahead of signals during scheduled operations, saving SBB around 50 gigawatt hours per year.

Punctuality display.

Since spring 2023, a punctuality display has been showing train drivers the to-the-second deviation from the operational timetable at each main signal. This enables the locomotive crew to optimally adapt their driving style to the current traffic situation and prevents energy-intensive acceleration. The punctuality display is therefore another tool for more precise, more stable and therefore more energy-efficient railway production.

SBB is also implementing measures in technical installations and buildings for passenger, real estate, infrastructure and freight services. The following list provides some examples.

Operational optimisations of buildings.

In cooperation with the Swiss Energy Agency for Industry, SBB has made various adjustments to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings. These measures include improvements in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as improved building insulation and save SBB around 55 gigawatt hours per year. Furthermore, fossil-fuelled heating systems will be replaced with renewable heating systems such as wood pellets or heat pumps by 2030.

Points heating.

The 7,400 points heating systems do not run continuously, but are switched on and off according to weather conditions. This saves SBB around 7 gigawatt hours per year. In addition, the existing gas points heating systems will be converted to electric operation by 2040.

Converters replacing transformers.

The electricity grids for domestic electricity (50 Hz) and rail power (16.7 Hz) are networked to ensure security of supply. The sub-stations for frequency conversion, which contain transformers, are gradually being replaced by converters, which lose less energy on account of the use of state-of-the-art power electronics for conversion. This will save SBB around 30 gigawatt hours per year.