The Self-Consumption Potential of Railway Stations: Portugal as a Case Study

The European Union aims for climate neutrality by 2050. With transport being responsible for over one-third of carbon emissions, using transport infrastructure, such as rail, for renewable energy deployment can support decarbonisation while avoiding land-use conflicts. Solar Photovoltaics (PV) are particularly suited due to their availability, efficiency, and low maintenance. This study evaluates the solar potential of Portugal’s railway infrastructure, with a focus on train station rooftops. It also examines the alignment between energy generation and consumption, exploring different PV system configurations to optimise the integration of renewable energy. The assessment of solar potential was based on estimates of physical and technical capacity, using tools such as Google Earth and PVGIS. Energy consumption at the railway stations does not match passenger flow, as it peaks during the night, and therefore does not coincide with PV generation hours. Adjusting PV system sizing at train stations to match their daytime energy demand can help minimise curtailment. If surplus generation persists, it can be managed through a collective self-consumption scheme or by integrating an energy storage system (ESS).