India launches solar-powered trains to reduce the use of diesel fuel

Last week, the first in the country train on solar batteries began to work in New Delhi. India hopes that the use of solar energy to ensure the operation of the railway will help reduce the use of diesel fuel.

Why use solar panels

New trains, called the Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU), are equipped with 16 solar batteries. They are used to power all electrical train systems, for example, electricity, fans, electronic flaps, etc. The energy received during the peak of solar activity will be stored in the battery system for later use. Although diesel fuel is still used to ensure the movement of the train, with the help of solar energy, its costs can be reduced by 21,000 liters.

Benefit

The solar system, located on the roof of the train, will generate about 7,200 kilowatts of energy per year. In turn, the amount of carbon emissions from one train will decrease by 9 tons per year. In addition, trains equipped with solar panels will help save the country's railway network.

Difficulties in the work of engineers

Special flat maximum solar panels were used for this project, since any others would cause an increase in resistance while driving, which would actually lead to an increase in the amount of diesel fuel required.

"Installing solar panels on the roof of the train wagons moving at a speed of 80 km per hour is not an easy task," said Sandeep Gupta, vice chairman and managing director of Jakson Engineers. "Our engineers were able to truly test their skills while working in this project, installing solar panels on the roofs of the cars of Indian trains."

Objectives of the new project

Currently, the project involved only six trains, which will have to undergo a short test period. Nevertheless, the ultimate goal of the project is to install solar batteries for 250 trains that are moving in the area of Calcutta.

The daily railway in India provides the movement of about 23 million people. The Indian railway network has a length of more than 66687 kilometers, which makes it the largest in Asia.

"Green revolution"

The use of solar energy to support the operation of the railway network is just a small part of the "green revolution" that is taking place in the country. India is seeking to obtain environmental and economic benefits from the use of renewable clean energy to get rid of the status of one of the major pollutants in the world.

For example, the government has allocated $ 6.2 billion to restore forests in many parts of the country. In addition, last week, residents of India in just 12 hours were able to plant 66 million trees, beating their own record, which was established last year.