Central Railways Engines Regenerate Energy, Cut Power Bills
"Due to austerity measures while driving, and technical innovation with the use of new version of three-phase electric locomotives, Central Railway managed to regenerate over two crore units and saved Rs 16 crore during 2013-2014," said divisional railway manager (DRM) OP Singh. While mail/express trains regenerated 18-20% power, freight trains did 17-18%, he added.
The two crore units saved by the Nagpur Central Railway can light up over 20,000 homes if one household's consumption is considered 100 unit power. Specifically, the railways generate electricity at a couple of substations, where there are slopes on the tracks and three-phase locos consume no power and start generating it. The railways saved 2% electricity (10 lakh units) at Katol substation and 1.5% (6.50 lakh units) at Pandhurna.
"The three-phase locos have been on the tracks for the past three years but railways learnt about the power regeneration by them only in June last, when it launched energy conservation drive. Energy conservation year was observed in true sense by the division last year, reaping dividends," said Namdeo Rabade, senior divisional electric engineer (SrDEE) for traction distribution (TRD).
After launching stringent power saving measures, energy consumption during 2013-14 was reduced by 33.358 million units, even though gross tonne kilometre (GTKM) increased by 2.78% (1 tonne load for 1km equals to 1GTKM).
Though the units regenerated have not been physically put to use for alternative purposes, it will surely save money towards power bills. Last year, the Nagpur Central Railway paid Rs 421 crore towards 543 million units.
: Electricity produced is electricity saved for Nagpur division of Central Railway! After reducing its consumption, the division is now regenerating power to reduce its bills sizeably.
""Due to austerity measures while driving, and technical innovation with the use of new version of three-phase electric locomotives, Central Railway managed to regenerate over two crore units and saved Rs16 crore during 2013-2014,"" said divisional railway manager (DRM) OP Singh. While mail/express trains regenerated 18-20% power, freight trains did 17-18%, he added.
The two crore units saved by the Nagpur Central Railway can light up over 20,000 homes if one household's consumption is considered 100 unit power. Specifically, the railways generate electricity at a couple of substations, where there are slopes on the tracks and three-phase locos consume no power and start generating it. The railways saved 2% electricity (10 lakh units) at Katol substation and 1.5% (6.50 lakh units) at Pandhurna.
""The three-phase locos have been on the tracks for the past three years but railways learnt about the power regeneration by them only in June last, when it launched energy conservation drive. Energy conservation year was observed in true sense by the division last year, reaping dividends,"" says Namdeo Rabade, senior divisional electric engineer (SrDEE) for traction distribution (TRD).
After launching stringent power saving measures, energy consumption during 2013-14 was reduced by 33.358 million units, even though gross tonne kilometre (GTKM) increased by 2.78% (1 tonne load for 1km equals to 1GTKM).
Similarly, Rabade said the average specific energy consumption (SEC) reduced from 7.98% in 2012-13 to 7.42% in 2013-14. Cumulative savings of nearly Rs7.74 crore was achieved, despite the fact that power tariff increased by 4.24%. Otherwise, Central Railway could have saved Rs24.83 crore.
Though the units regenerated have not been physically put to use for alternative purposes, it will surely save money towards power bills. Last year, the Nagpur Central Railway paid Rs421 crore towards 543 million units.