More Efficient Rail Vehicle HVAC Systems – Saving Energy Without Compromising Comfort

Initial Situation and Challenge

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for a major share of total energy consumption in rail vehicles – up to 30 % annually. In Central Europe, most of this energy is used for heating.

There is significant potential for optimization, especially in existing regional and long-distance trains. When many of these systems were originally commissioned, energy efficiency was not yet a priority, and available technologies were often too costly or immature.
Typical improvement measures include demand-based fresh air control, optimized fan or compressor operation, energy-saving idle modes, or adjusted temperature setpoints.

To evaluate these measures realistically, it was necessary to calculate the actual energy consumption of the HVAC systems and the true savings potential—considering all interactions with control systems and vehicle structure.

As DB group saw a clear value in taking a closer look here, they set up a project and worked closely together with DB Systemtechnik.

DB Systemtechnik’s Contribution

Our experts calculated the annual energy demand and potential energy savings for various regional and long-distance vehicles.

The analysis was based on detailed simulation models that enable highly accurate calculations, including all relevant interactions. Technical documentation, operational data, and expert experience formed the foundation; additional in-house measurements were conducted to validate assumptions.

Based on these results, the experts performed a thorough cost-effectiveness analysis of the proposed measures.

Customer Benefits

Energy consumption analysis for rail HVAC systems provides the foundation for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of energy-saving measures – a crucial prerequisite for their implementation.

Through DB group's EvoK project, validated simulation models are now available for specific vehicles, allowing for a reliable assessment of selected optimization measures.
As a result, operators can implement energy-efficient upgrades with greater planning certainty and reduced financial risk – leading to long-term improvements in fleet efficiency.

More information

Find out more about our HVAC expertise and our Air Conditioning Test Laboratory.