It is still possible to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement to maintain a global temperature ‘well below +2.0 °C’ above pre-industrial levels. We present two global non-overshoot pathways (+2.0 °C and +1.5 °C) with regional decarbonization targets for the four primary energy sectors—power, heating, transportation, and industry—in 5-year steps to 2050. We use normative scenarios to illustrate the effects of efficiency measures and renewable energy use, describe the roles of increased electrification of the final energy demand and synthetic fuels, and quantify the resulting electricity load increases for 72 sub-regions. Non-energy scenarios include a phase-out of net emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land uses, reductions in non-carbon greenhouse gases, and land restoration to scale up atmospheric CO₂ removal, estimated at −377 Gt CO₂ to 2100. An estimate of the COVID-19 effects on the global energy demand is included and a sensitivity analysis describes the impacts if implementation is delayed by 5, 7, or 10 years, which would significantly reduce the likelihood of achieving the 1.5 °C goal. The analysis applies a model network consisting of energy system, power system, transport, land-use, and climate models.

Battery electric multiple units (BEMU) are an effective path towards a decarbonized regional rail transport on partly electrified rail lines. As a means of sector coupling, the BEMU recharging energy demand provided through overhead line islands can be covered from decentralized renewable energy sources (RES). Thus, fully carbon-free electricity for rail transport purposes can be obtained. In this study, we analyze cost reduction potentials of efficient recharging infrastructure positioning and the feasibility of covering BEMU energy demand by direct-use of locally produced renewable electricity. Therefore, we set up a model-based approach which assesses relevant lifecycle costs (LCC) of different trackside electrification alternatives comparing energy supply from local RES and grid consumption. The model-based approach is applied to the example of a German regional rail line. In the case of an overhead line island, the direct-use of electricity from adjacent wind power plants with on-site battery storage results in relevant LCC of EUR 173.4 M/30a, while grid consumption results in EUR 176.2 M/30a whereas full electrification results in EUR 224.5 M/30a. Depending on site-specific factors such as existing electrification and line lengths, BEMU operation and partial overhead line extension can lead to significant cost reductions of recharging infrastructure as compared to full electrification.

Electrical railway systems are characterized by the energy transfer from fixed installations of the railway energy supply source to the mobile consumers. Today's conventional versions are always characterized by contact-based energy transfer. In the following, the initial approach for a energy transfercontactless energy transfer for standard gauge railway vehicles is set out. Building on the railway specific requirements of an energy transfer system, a first system draft is outlined. The feasibility for introducing such a contactless transmission system depends on the overall costs arising during the life cycle in comparison with conventional systems. For this reason, the costs of today's installations are considered, and related pros and cons of the alternative transmission systems are discussed. In addition, the perspectives for the introduction of contactless energy transfer are evaluated.

This paper discusses alternative propulsion systems for heavy railway vehicles. First, edge conditions such as drivers and roadblocks for the implementation of alternative propulsions in railway vehicles are discussed. For operations on a non-electrified railway route, the required main propulsion components of a battery electric multiple unit and of a fuel cell multiple unit are roughly dimensioned and economically compared with a benchmark diesel multiple unit, the BR 612 of Deutsche Bahn. The non-electrified route from Ulm to Oberstdorf was considered as a reference route for the simulation and drivetrain layout. Our analysis finds that alternative drive concepts hold a high potential for future railway vehicles, depending on the boundary conditions.