Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and Enspired Consulting have announced a five-year collaboration agreement, uniting their expertise to accelerate decarbonisation and innovation in the rail sector.
This strategic partnership leverages the strengths of both organisations, combining Vanguard’s cutting-edge advancements in hydrogen and battery technology, simulation modelling and academic research with Enspired Consulting’s industry-leading expertise in the successful delivery of rail innovation projects and rigorous safety management.
The partnership builds on projects that both companies are jointly delivering in the UK and overseas. One such project includes Vanguard’s HydroShunter technology, which involves the conversion and recommissioning of a Class 08 locomotive to run on hydrogen power, reducing emissions and noise for operators, which was recently showcased at the Severn Valley Railway.
This collaboration agreement marks a major step forward in advancing clean rail technology and supporting the sector’s transition towards a net-zero future.
Vanguard is a technology and innovation company, which combines hydrogen fuel management services with real world projects across three service offerings:
Concept – modelling, simulation and feasibility studies to identify suitable net zero technologies for different applications.
Create – delivering first of a kind innovation projects and supporting productionisation of decarbonisation technologies in rail applications.
Operate – hydrogen refuelling and fuel management services for the rail sector.
Rob Gibson, CEO of Vanguard said: “Decarbonisation deadlines are fast approaching and this collaboration enhances both companies’ capability to support rail businesses in their transition to net zero. The economics of hydrogen are changing with predictions from the energy and finance sectors showing cost parity will be achievable within the next 5-10 years and the potential to link a rail hydrogen strategy into the wider UK hydrogen economy and avoid renewable grid bottlenecks is significant. This collaboration builds on a strong partnership between both companies, supporting Vanguard’s growing forward orders with proven rail innovation delivery, and extending opportunities for developing engineering talent in both businesses.“
Enspired Consulting is a growing rail sector consultancy with highly experienced project directors who have proven capability in delivering complex rail innovation projects, specialist mechanical engineering technical capability, and developing project engineers. The company has specialist skills in business case decisions for future rolling stock strategies, project delivery, safety management, rail vehicle maintenance and technical investigations on mechanical systems and works with train operators, maintainers, asset owners and rail sector suppliers to deliver a range of services.
Helen Simpson, Director and Founder of Enspired Consulting said: “We are delighted to formalise our strong partnership approach with Vanguard. Both businesses have common goals to help the rail sector decarbonise through implementation of hydrogen and battery technology, and to support the development of the next generation of engineers. We are looking forward to delivering some world class projects together and providing wider opportunities for future talent”
Both organisations are UK SMEs, based in the Midlands.