Paris/Madrid, February 26, 2020 – SEGULA Technologies, a global engineering group and a pioneer in the industrial application of digital technologies, announces its participation in the RaiLNG pilot project, with which the Spanish rail sector intends to demonstrate the potential and viability of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel for the operation of railways. As part of a European Union program, this project is funded by the INEA, the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency. It brings together the Spanish national operating company of the Renfe railways, the gas distributors Enagas and Naturgy as well as ECA / Bureau Veritas. The RaiLNG project aims to demonstrate and analyse the technical, environmental, legal and economic feasibility of LNG rail traction in order to study its potential use in Spain.
Natural gas is revolutionizing the transportation sector and its use contributes to sustainable mobility. The use of natural gas in transport, in particular liquefied gas, contributes to improving air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 85 to 90%, carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by 25% and those of sulfur oxides (SOx) and particles by almost 100% compared to traditional fuels *.

The RaiLNG project aims not only to make the Spanish rail and energy sectors leaders in the introduction of natural gas as an alternative fuel in the railways of the European Union, but also to offer technological solutions that will enable them in the short term to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of their services and, in the medium term, to promote the use of LNG throughout the transport sector in Spain.

SEGULA Technologies invests heavily in innovation to keep the group at the cutting edge of technology, provide its customers with high added value services and offer breakthrough solutions with an industrial reality. By joining RaiLNG, the Group is positioning itself as a pioneer in the integration of alternative energies in the rail sector, demonstrating at the same time its great knowledge of rail and gas technologies.

In Zaragoza, a Centre of Excellence at the cutting edge of technology

SEGULA Technologies supports industrial contractors around the world on the entire life cycle of their products, from study phases to maintenance.

In Spain, SEGULA Technologies has a Rail Centre of Excellence in Zaragoza. The group is recognised for its expertise in this sector and is positioned in particular as the largest engineering company for the development of rolling stock.

“In recent years, Spain has become an international benchmark for rolling stock. Many companies have brought innovative technologies and we are delighted to be able to contribute in our turn to the evolution and transformation of the railway sector thanks to this Liquefied Natural Gas project,” explains José Ángel Martín, director of the SEGULA Technologies Railway Division in Spain.

Globally, SEGULA Technologies currently has more than 800 engineers and technicians specialised in the railway sector. In France, its three Rail centres of excellence located in Paris (signage), Valenciennes (tests and validation) and La Rochelle (design) bring together 450 employees.

*Source: Enagas