Technology at some of Greater Anglia stations has seen a saving in excess of 1,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Over 30 stations on the Greater Anglia network are now fitted with the Wireless Energy Management Systems (WEMS) and were selected following a survey which pinpointed those with the highest energy usage.

WEMS network of wireless sensors have been positioned around the identified stations in waiting rooms and offices since 2019 and send information to a main control panel which regulates temperatures with the knock-on benefit of reducing energy usage when it is possible to do so.

Broxbourne, Manningtree and Great Yarmouth have seen a drop in energy usage of over 50% with other stations experiencing a drop of 20%.

Stephanie Evans, Greater Anglia Environment and Energy Manager, said:

“We are very pleased that more than 1000 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change, have been prevented from being released into the atmosphere, thanks to WEMS across our network.

Stowmarket Station — Credit: Greater Anglia

“This is just one measure we are implementing to reduce our impact on the environment and help save energy. We will continue to monitor our energy performance and make further savings around the business.

Severe disruption on Greater Anglia train services this Saturday due to drivers’ strike

30th June 2022

South Woodham Ferrers station adopters with the new water dispenser

“We are in the process of introducing an entire fleet of new trains, which are more efficient and produce less particulate pollution than our old ones. This will help to make rail travel in East Anglia an even more environmentally friendly option.”

This will be the second year running that Greater Anglia has managed to cut its total carbon emissions by 11% for scope 1 and 2 emissions.

The stations fitted with WEMS are: Audley End, Billericay, Bishops Stortford, Broxbourne, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Clacton on Sea, Colchester, Ely, Great Yarmouth, Harlow Town, Hatfield Peverel, Hertford East, Ingatestone, Ipswich, Kelvedon, Lowestoft, Manningtree, March, Marks Tey, Prittlewell, Rayleigh, Rochford, Shenfield, Southend Victoria, Stowmarket, Thetford, Thorpe-le-Soken, Tottenham Hale, Waltham Cross, Ware, Whittlesford, Wickford, Witham.