Harting
Harting

Do you want to advertise here? Contact us

LMW
LMW

Do you want to advertise here? Contact us

Energy efficiency carving the future of Indian railways
.

Energy efficiency carving the future of Indian railways

By OEM Update Editorial November 12, 2019 5:58 pm

According to latest development, the government further is utilising the unused land for developing renewable energy projects. Industry leaders discuss about the government initiatives to transform the Indian railways into energy efficient systems.

Indian railway is the fourth largest railway network of around 125,000 km, under a single management system, and third largest high-speed diesel user. With the increasing adoption of renewable energy, Indian railway is making constant attempts to solarise the overall railway lines of the country. The way our Indian economy is growing, the increase is going to be much faster, so it’s important that we bring energy efficiency there as well.

Improving energy efficiency in Indian railways
One of the key factors is to have distributive generation of electricity. Currently, the generating stations which are supplying electricity to the Indian railways are spread across pan India and their generating station carry electricity through grid network for the Indian railways. Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja (Retd), Managing Director, PRESPL on this point says, “Since Indian railway is the user, it could generate electricity in a decentralised manner, in lands which are owned/managed by Indian railways. I am proposing large scale wind, large scale solar, large scale bio-mass where in the Indian railways can be the generator of electricity for themselves, and utilise it in more efficient manner.’’ Basically, the transmission and distribution losses reaching the Indian railways network can be minimised.

Whereas, according to Venkat Rajaraman, Chief Executive Officer, Cygni Energy Pvt Ltd, Indian Railways presents a holistic approach to energy management. He further highlights that Indian Railways is working on several initiatives including improving power factor close to unity, replacement of ceiling fans with energy efficient BLDC fans, installation of VFD for existing screw compressors, intelligent flow controller for compressed air network, energy saver for packed air conditioning units, solar mill to harness solar and wind energy, installation of efficient direct driven motors for AHUs and battery operated electric forklifts.

Moreover, there is a road map to increase the total quantum of electricity that we are using currently, for instance, 2 per cent. While we may be able to address the 2 per cent, we also need to plan today to address the increase. Looking at the roadmap, Lt. Col. Ahuja says, “Our railway lighting system, lighting system in the trains, lighting at railway stations, the overall electricity consumption of the railway stations, should be upgraded with more efficient management system.” May be the energy efficiency management system or tools which are available can be deployed as a pilot project, initially, for about 15-20 large railway stations across the country and then the study could be done over a period of 12-24 months, and if found successful, it can be replicated for India’s tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 cities in different phases.

Suggested energy storage management for Indian railways
The Indian government has an ambitious plan of expanding the Indian railways, for the development of 1 GW solar energy capacity and meet 10 per cent of its energy demands from renewable energy. Railways have already installed rooftop solar on around 19 narrow gauge coaches and 40 broad gauge coaches. Even though the initial steps are taken by the railway sector, Lt. Col. Ahuja feels that energy storage in India is still a challenge as compared globally, and is still at nascent stage. He says, “This is something I would not recommend for Indian railways, because Indian railways are an active user, so they don’t really require an energy storage solution. What would be more prudent is efficient management where the day time energy could be managed out of some component, like solar, and during the night time, energy could be managed by bio-energy or wind energy.” He further adds that an effective energy management is required more, rather than having an energy storage system.

Advertising

OEM Android App

Your future advertising space? Our media data

Performance of energy efficient building management systems in railways
Efficient energy management system for large railway buildings, large railway resthouses, or large railway stations, these are the place points where it should get started first and get data mapped further. Here, Lt. Col. Ahuja highlights that one requires being privy to the data available. He further says “I don’t think that any such data is available or open access on the public domain. If the railway authorities have obtained such data, they must make it accessible on the public domain and allow the industry to review and comment on them.”

Automation system for online monitoring in railways
Automation in Indian railways is very important in order to improve the systems accuracy and its efficiency, reduce worker fatigue or minimise/reduce labour intensive operation, prevent damage of materials, increase efficiency, collect better and cost effective data. Rajaraman suggests having control and automation in transportation system via ’sense-analyse-control’ automation, Use of Artificial Intelligence for faster, safer and on-time transport, track side bogie monitoring system, smart railway automation using IOT, automated gate control are several of the usage of control and automation.

Stored energy can be used to deploy energy to meet expected demand increases and account for unexpected demand fluctuations.
Venkat Rajaraman, Chief Executive Officer, Cygni Energy Pvt Ltd.

Indian railways should have an effective energy management should be in place rather than having an energy storage system.
Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja (Retd), Managing Director, PRESPL

Cookie Consent

We use cookies to personalize your experience. By continuing to visit this website you agree to our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Webinar
Webinar

Do you want to advertise here? Contact us

OEM Update QR Code
OEM Update QR Code

Events

Clean India Show
Clean India Show
Factory Automation Expo
Factory Automation Expo
India Essen Welding and Cutting Expo
India Essen Welding and Cutting Expo
Logimat India
Logimat India
Metal Forming Expo
Metal Forming Expo

eMagazine November 2024

eMagazine November 2024
eMagazine November 2024

Do you want to advertise here? Contact us

Our Sponsors

DIRAK
DIRAK
Pragati Gears
Pragati Gears
Carl Zeiss India
Carl Zeiss India
STMCNC
STMCNC
Nord
Nord
Messer Cutting
Messer Cutting
Atos Profilo
Atos Profilo
Fronius
Fronius
SCHMALZ
SCHMALZ
Sigma-Weild
Sigma-Weild
Mallcom
Mallcom
igus
igus
DH Secheron Electrodes
DH Secheron Electrodes
Timken India
Timken India
UNP Polyvalves India Pvt Ltd
UNP Polyvalves India Pvt Ltd
ENS Oils & Lubricants
ENS Oils & Lubricants
Super Slides
Super Slides
Autonics
Autonics
Fuel Instruments  Engineers
Fuel Instruments  Engineers
Velvex
Velvex
Universal Orbital
Universal Orbital
Chicago Pneumatic Tools
Chicago Pneumatic Tools
MMC Hardmetal Pvt Ltd
MMC Hardmetal Pvt Ltd
Mennekes
Mennekes
ACD Machines
ACD Machines
TruCut
TruCut
tectyl
tectyl
BKT Tires
BKT Tires
Fibro India
Fibro India
Deceler
Deceler
Balluff
Balluff
Urgo Capital
Urgo Capital
Amsak Cranes
Amsak Cranes
Molygraph
Molygraph
SKS Welding
SKS Welding
pioneer Cranes
pioneer Cranes
Exorint
Exorint
Schmersal India
Schmersal India
Exon mobil
Exon mobil