The Guardian (2014) describes how First Capital Connect has finally completed a five year long project in conjunction with Solarcentury, to provide half of Blackfriars rail station power from 4,400 roof-mounted solar panels. In terms of CO2 emissions, trains are already the most sustainable form of transport with 0.1Kg of CO2 per passenger mile (Thameslink Programme, 2012). This massive investment is estimated to cut the stations’ carbon emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes a year, creating an even more sustainable way to travel across London.
Although some ministers warn of the risk of a disagreement regarding the way they look against London’s older buildings, Solarcentury maintains that the fact that they are so visual is actually a bonus, and that it shows off how London is striving to be a sustainable city. The iconic landmark, visible for miles along the River Thames, will hopefully provide an incentive for the growing solar panel market and enhance people’s perceptions to the way they look, especially for big businesses. This complex project was put on hold to minimise the impact on the station during the 2012 Olympic Games, and has turned out to be a complicated jigsaw trying to fit the different sections of roof in at different times, with the consideration of even shipping some of the components in via the Thames.
The BBC (2014) state that the Victorian bridge is part of a £6.5bn programme (funded through the Department for Transport’s safety and environment fund) designed to increase capacity on the Thameslink route. Yet despite the large price tag, it is expected that the cost of running the station will reduce significantly. The panels cover around 6,000 square m and are expected to generate 900,000 kWh of electricity per year, saving over 500 tonnes of CO2 annually. The bridge, built in the thirteenth century, originally used water wheels to drive pumps and grain mills, but now it has become the first bridge over the Thames since the London Bridge to generate its own power. The only other solar bridge in the world is the Kurilpain Footbridge in Brisbane, Australia, which was constructed in 2009.
The Thameslink Programme (2012) tells that the creation of the solar bridge involved stripping the old bridge to its foundations in order to reconstruct a wider and stronger one, with a 250m-long roof. This means longer trains and more frequent services, with a metro-style train every 2.5 minutes through central London at peak times. Other improvements mean the walkway is hinged so that it can be lifted when the gutters need cleaning, as well as having a socket at the end of each roof so a removable handrail can be added when major maintenance work is required (Kemp, 2013). This bridge will hopefully be one of many solar panelled buildings, designed to promote renewable energy and increase London’s sustainability.
References
BBC (2014), Solar bridge unveiled at Blackfriars station, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25843677, [23/01/2014]
Kemp, D (2013), Blackfriars Station becomes world’s largest solar bridge, http://www.cnplus.co.uk/innovation/special-reports/blackfriars-station-becomes-worlds-largest-solar-bridge/8650978.article#.UuDp6RBFDIU, [23/01/2014]
Thameslink Programme (2012), World’s largest solar bridge taking shape as Blackfriars installation reaches half way, http://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/worlds-largest-solar-bridge-taking-shape-as-blackfriars-installation-reaches-half-way, [23/01/2014]
The Guardian (2014), World’s largest solar-powered bridge opens in London http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/22/worlds-largest-solar-powered-bridge-opens-in-london?CMP=twt_fd [23/01/2014]
