NewzVille Desk
In a major initiative towards greener railway operations, Indian Railways has showcased a solar-assisted passenger coach in the Prayagraj Division of the North Central Railway. The system demonstrates the integration of renewable energy technology with conventional railway rolling stock to improve energy efficiency.
The Conventional Technology
Conventionally, electrical power in ICF passenger coaches is generated through an axle-driven alternator mounted beneath the coach. The alternator, driven mechanically through a belt arrangement connected to the coach axle, charges the coach battery bank and supplies power for passenger amenities such as lighting, fans and mobile charging facilities. While the system has served Indian Railways efficiently for decades, it is dependent on train movement and involves mechanical and electrical conversion losses.
The New Solar TechnologyÂ
The solar-assisted coach represents a progressive enhancement to this arrangement. High-efficiency solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the coach generate electricity directly from sunlight and supplement the charging of the coach battery bank. By harnessing renewable energy available throughout the day, the system reduces dependence on conventional axle-driven power generation and improves overall energy utilization.
The pilot coach has been equipped with a rooftop solar installation of nearly 7 kWp (kilowatt-peak) capacity, enabling onboard generation of clean energy for supporting coach electrical requirements. Apart from contributing towards energy conservation, the system will reduce the load on the conventional charging arrangement, and enhance the reliability of onboard electrical services.
The solar-assisted system has been installed on one ICF non-AC coach on a pilot basis. The rooftop solar plant will generate around 13,400 units (kWh) of clean electricity annually, resulting in savings of about ₹2.80 lakh per coach each year. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 11 tonnes per coach annually. Based on the performance assessment of the pilot project, the technology will be extended to other coaches in a phased manner.
The initiative assumes greater significance as conventional coach power generation relies on mechanical energy derived from train movement, whereas the solar-assisted system enables direct utilization of renewable energy available on the coach roof. The concept demonstrates the potential for transforming conventional railway coaches into more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable assets.
The experience from the new technology gained from the pilot installation is expected to provide valuable inputs for future applications of renewable energy technologies in passenger coaching stock.
