Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) plans to run its trains on solar power, which might be a big step toward environmentally friendly mass transit. By March 2023, BMRCL hopes to have solar panels installed in all phase 2, 2A, and 2B Metro stations.
On the Kanakapura Road Metro corridor, solar panels are currently erected in five stations: Konanakunte Cross, Doddakallasandra, Vajarahalli, Talaghattapura, and Silk Institute (Green Line extension, Yelachenahalli-Silk Institute).
“We are aiming to put solar panels in all phase 2, phase 2A, and phase 2B stations,” BMRCL chief PRO BL Yashwanth Chavan said, although solar energy cannot be harnessed in stations on Metro Phase 1, which is currently operational.
Cutting down power bills
Metro trains are powered by a third-rail system that provides electric traction power. Solar energy will provide a significant portion of the power required for the third rail and auxiliary requirements such as lighting, escalators, and air conditioning at stations, according to officials.
“For the 56-kilometer operating network, the current monthly power need for the third rail alone is roughly 65 lakh units (kWh).” “Once phase 2, 2A, and 2B (175km) are done, the anticipated monthly requirement will be 205 lakh units,” Chavan said. He went on to say that the current monthly electricity bill for the third rail is roughly Rs 3.9 crore. BMRCL now generates 1.8 lakh units from solar panels every month, saving Rs 10.8 lakh.
BMRCL also expects lower energy bills as a result of its reduced reliance on non-renewable sources. “The monthly electricity bill for BMRCL is currently approximately Rs 5.8 crore. The expected bill after phases 2, 2A, and 2B are completed is Rs 19 crore. By 2023, solar power generation is expected to reach 28.5 lakh units per month (excluding phases 2A and 2B). By March 2023, our bill will be reduced by roughly Rs 1.7 crore,” Chavan added.
Trains tap into their energy
Regenerative braking systems are also used by trains to generate power whenever they use the brakes. The three-phase traction motors act as generators when the train’s brakes are applied, turning the train’s kinetic energy into electrical energy.
“Right now, trains meet about 15% of their own power needs (lighting and running auxiliary systems on board).” “Right now, we’re working on a system to ensure that the electricity generated by trains is fully utilized and delivered to the grid, so we can lessen our reliance on Bescom power,” Chavan added.
Another official stated that all stations are designed to use natural illumination and are equipped with LED-based lights and that BMRCL will install platform screen doors (PSDs) at phase 2 subterranean stations (14km Dairy Circle-Nagawara), reducing the AC load from 900T to 400T per station.
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Resource: Economic Times
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