Energy Efficiency Innovation in EMU & Coaches

EMU & COACHES

Energy Efficiency Innovation in EMU & Coaches

Policy Initiatives:-

1. Solar Panels on roof top of coaches.
- Railway has provided Solar Panel on roof top of coaches for train lighting system in four narrow gauge coaches plying on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar route in Kangra Valley section and fourteen narrow gauge coaches plying on Kalka-Shimla section on trial basis.
  
  Two Broad Gauge GS coaches are also provided with solar panel on roof top for train lighting on trial basis.
  
  Railway has decided to provide solar panels on roof top of GS coaches of two day running intercity trains and 50% Narrow gauge coaches plying on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section for extended trials for one year in all weather conditions.
2. Introduction of Energy Efficient IGBT based EMUs and MEMUs in other than Mumbai area.
- Railway has decided to introduce energy efficient IGBT based 3 phase EMU and MEMU Suburban trains in other than Mumbai area.
  
  ICF has initiated the tender for procurement of propulsion system and electrics for manufacturing of 33 EMU rakes of 12 car at ICF and 10 MEMU rakes of 8 car at RCF.
3. Introduction of Energy Efficient 3 phase IGBT based rakes in Kolkata Metro.
- Railway has decided to introduce two rakes with indigenously developed 3 phase propulsion system with regenerative braking. Same are under manufacturing at ICF.
  
  ICF has also placed Global Tender for procurement of IGBT based 3 phase propulsion system for 10 energy efficient Metro rakes of 8 car to be manufactured at ICF.
4. Train Set
- Indian Railways have planned to introduce a very modern train system called train sets in Rajdhani and Shatabadi routes having superior riding experience, higher acceleration, increased capacity, energy savings and about 20% saving in journey time. In this regard the Technical specification prepared by RDSO has been examined and approved by Board. In this regard RFP issued to shortlisted prequalified bidders on 12.09.2015 and bid will open on 21.12.2015.
5. LED lights in Coaches.
- Instruction has been issued to replace defective FL/CFL with energy efficient LED light in same fitting which is likely to save electrical energy to the tune of Rs. 19764/- per AC coach per Annum and Rs. 8424/- per non AC coach per annum.
  
  Instruction has also been issued for use of energy efficient LEDs lighting in all newly manufactured coaches including EMUs and MEMUs rakes.
Action Taken by Railways
1. Augmentation of coaches in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
- Capacitor Banks have been provided for improvement of power factor and to reduce feeder current in LHB EOG AC coaches and Power Car to enhance number of AC Coaches from 18 Coaches to 20 Coaches in Rajdhani rakes and from 16 Coaches to 20 Coaches in Shatabdi rakes. So far Railways has provided capacitor bank in approximately 800 coaches. Production units have cut-in, provision of capacitor banks in newly manufactured LHB EOG AC coaches. Railways have already augmented 11 Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains. This will improve energy/fuel efficiency of power cars.
2. Use of Environment friendly HFC 407C refrigerant in AC coaches.
- Railway has decided to phase out of R-22 (HCFC or Hydro chlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant in coach air conditioning with environment friendly HFC 407C refrigerant (HFC based & ozone friendly). Production Units have already cut in environment friendly HFC 407C in RMPU Coaches since 2012. In this regard 900 AC Coaches have been provided with environment friendly HFC 407C refrigerant. This will help in reducing damage to environment.
3. Introduction of Energy Efficient 3 phase IGBT based EMUs.
- 124 energy efficient AC/DC rakes with 3 Phase IGBT propulsion system have been introduced in Mumbai Suburban area with regenerative braking features since 2007. Total energy saving with regenerative braking is 149.3 million KWh per annum i.e. approx. Rs. 118.74 Cr per annum. .
  
  Further 72 energy efficient AC rakes have been planned for manufacturing at ICF with 3 phase IGBT based propulsion system and regenerative braking system under MUTP II project. Five rakes out of 72 have already been inducted into passenger service in Western Railway since March 2015. These rakes will replace energy inefficient overaged DC EMU rakes and will also be used for augmentation/additional services.
4. Introduction of 3 phase IGBT based rakes in Kolkata Metro.
- An order for procurement of energy efficient 14 fully furnished rakes with 3 phase IGBT based propulsion system and regenerative braking for Kolkata Metro has been placed on M/s Dalian, China.
5. LED lights in Coaches.
- Northern Railway has provided energy efficient LEDs lighting in 607 AC/TL coaches on retro fitment basis.