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    ContractsHow Can Batteries Improve Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of DC Railway Networks?
    Open tender

    How Can Batteries Improve Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of DC Railway Networks?

    Contract value
    £180k
    Published 8 Jun 2026

    Market engagement on battery solutions to enhance safety and reduce costs in DC-powered railway networks by removing live 3rd rail at high-risk locations.

    🇬🇧United Kingdom· EnglandPublished 8 Jun 2026· 3 months agoviaFind a Tender
    Contract value
    £180k
    Published 8 Jun 2026

    Decision brief

    4 fields
    • Contract value
      £180,000indicative
      Pounds sterling
    • Closing date
      Rolling
      No closing date published
    • Sector
      Research & Innovation
      Browse related listings
    • Location
      🇬🇧United Kingdom
      England

    Lifecycle

    Open

    Open tender — no closing date published. Opened 3 months ago.

    8 June 2026
    Open tender · no closing date published

    Brief

    This market engagement questionnaire seeks input on using retrofit batteries in DC-powered train networks to enhance safety and reduce costs. DC electrification systems, commonly called '3rd rail', power trains in southern England and the Merseyside network but pose electrical safety risks to the public and railway staff due to their ground-level exposed position. The opportunity involves exploring how small batteries (approximately 100 kWh) could enable trains to operate through gaps in the 3rd rail, allowing removal of live 3rd rail sections at high-risk locations such as stations, level crossings, and junctions. Additional benefits include reduced maintenance needs at complex infrastructure points like switches and crossing junctions. Potential solutions must address capital and operational costs, required engineering and operational controls, and implementation strategies for both rolling stock and rail infrastructure. Respondents should provide market insights, technical feasibility assessments, cost considerations, and transition approaches for deploying battery technology across the DC railway network.

    Track record

    3 awards · 3 winners
    Open field

    No single supplier dominates the field.

    In research innovation, Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) has awarded 3 contracts to 3 suppliers.

    Who wins here
    1. ENGINEERING SUPPORT GROUP LIMITED1× · 33%
    2. Sotera1× · 33%
    3. AKERLOF LIMITED1× · 33%

    Across research innovation, the most active winners are WSP UK LIMITED, IPSOS MARKET RESEARCH LIMITED, IFF RESEARCH LIMITED — the field to beat, or your route in as a partner.

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    Take action
    View tender on sourceFind a Tender

    Full notice and submission process on the publisher's site

    Publisher
    UK Cabinet Office
    Licence
    OGL v3.0
    Source
    find-tender.service.gov.uk
    Record ID
    ocds-h6vhtk-06b002
    RS
    Buyer
    Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)
    Sector
    Research & Innovation