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Environment Sustainability of Indian Railways.

 

In the year 2018-19 Indian Railways published their annual reports on environment management. Their Missions were to promote Green Environment and Clean Energy while making the Indian Railways a global leader in sustainable mass transport solutions. Their Missions were to promote energy conservation measure, to maximize the use of alternate forms of Clean Energy thereby minimising the carbon footprint of Railways , to provide clean and hygienic environment to customers, to promote conservation of water and other natural resources, to march towards zero waste discharge from the major Railway units, to promote   Green built-up spaces and expand tree-cover,  building in-house capacity to set up an effective Environment  Management System.

 

 

 

This National Transporter is the largest passenger carrying system and the 4th largest freight transporter carrying 23M passengers every day and 1,160 MT freight annually. This rail-based system is the most environment friendly mass transporter in terms of energy efficiency and resource optimization as compared to road transport.  It was estimated that current share of freight traffic should go up from current share of 36% to 45% by 2030. Hence, IR is augmenting it’s capacity through different programmes through building up Dedicated Freight Corridors, different modernization plans, stretching network, building powerful locomotives, adding high capacity rolling stock and specially designed rolling stocks to its fleet.

 

 

 

To become a low carbon emitter an integrated approach will be crucial while gaining resource optimization and enhancing efficiency.

 

 

 

The Environment Directorate in RB was set up to coordinate all environment management initiatives through streamlining Energy efficiency, Renewable and Alternate sources of energy, Water conservation, Afforestation, Waste management and Green certification.

 

 

 

In India Transport Sector eats up more than half of total petroleum  consumption and more than one fourth of overall energy needs which accounts nearly 13% Green House Gas emissions. Hence,it is inevitable for IR to flourish and play the vital role in respect of energy efficiency and reducing global carbon footprints.

 

 

 

Govt. of India has set a target of 33% emissions intensity reduction as a part of Nationally Determined Contributions.IR’s role in India’s NDC for combating Climate change was through the followings.

Reducing emissions intensity by 33% upto 2029-30 over 2004-05. Aiming to enhance IR’s share 36% to 45% by 2030. Target setting up  DFCs across the country. First phase of the project alone is estimated to reduce emissions by about 457 MT CO2 over a 30 year period. Increasing share of renewable energy.Using of 5% blending of biofuel in traction diesel fuel. Improving water use efficiency by 20% by 2030. Planting trees to increase Carbon Sink. Waste management and Pollution control. Adopting good practices on Green Buildings , Production Units and other establishments. Playing key role in Swachh Bharat Mission.

 

 

 

Key areas where IR  achieved energy efficiency and controlled carbon emissions are the followings.

 

 

 

Improving Energy efficiency in Electric Traction:    Introduction of energy efficient  3 Phase Locomotive Technology expected to reduce 500 T of CO2 annually. These locomotives are equipped with regenerative braking feature capable to regenerate electricity during braking action which is fed back to grid.Locopilots are being encouraged for maximum use of regenerative brakes for reducing traction energy bill.

 

 

 

Auxiliary Power Unit has been provided in 762 Diesel Locos to save fuel during idling. In APU system, the main engine shuts down and a small 25 HP engine starts for charging batteries and air brake pipes, when the loco idles for more than 10 min. APU consumes only 5 Ltr of diesel per hour in comparison to 18 Ltr by the main engine. Besides fuel saving, there would be a reduction in lubricating oil consumption and wear and tear of the main engine. It also results in lower CO2 emissions and other pollutants like HC,NO2,CO etc.

 

 

 

Improving energy efficiency with trailing Rolling Stock: Latest wagons are made of higher axle load capacity which increases Tare ratio substantially , improved specially designed wagons are suitable for carrying items of higher dimensions and designs. RDSO  is engaged to design such type of wagons which increases Throughput in transportation. BCACBM wagons designed by RDSO specially for Auto Cars have enhanced transportation of Automobile by 65% in that year.

 

 

 

Specially designed Dwarf Containers can be run through double stack container trains even in electrified sections. This improves the Throughput.

BFNSM wagons were introduced to carry 35% more load in transportation of Steel Coils  in place of conventional BFNS    and BRN wagons.

 Introduction of improved designed Steel coaches provide higher carrying capacity. A record number of 4429  LHB  coaches were built in 3 production units of IR.

 

Head on Generation system is more energy efficient than End on Generation system. Hence some high speed EOG trains are being converted into HOG progressively.

 

 

 

Energy Conservation Initiatives: IR consumes over 20 Bn kWh of electricity annually, comprising 2% of the nation’s total power consumption which is estimated to go up manifold  over the next decade. IR has taken numerous measures to curb energy consumption and rationalise energy procurement process like harnessing Renewable Energy.

100% LED lightings were fitted in stations , maintenance depots and office buildings, in Railway quarters. It will reduce 10% Non – traction utilisation saving about 240 Mn units i.e. saving 180 Cr. per annum. LED lightings are also being fitted in coaches.

Energy efficiency studies :  A MoU was signed between IR and  Confederation of Indian Industry to work together on Green Rating and Energy Efficiency studies of IR’s Production Units and major workshops in July,16. Activities included: Identification of significant energy saving opportunities in the facilities. One day training program on the technical aspects of energy efficiency and the best practices adopted by related Indian Industries.Formulation of ‘Best Practices Manual’ for energy efficiency. Organization Energy Efficiency Awards for IR on the sidelines of the Annual CII Energy Efficiency Awards to felicitate the best performing units.

 

 

 

Harnessing Renewable Energy: Due to its cost effectiveness  IR planned to set up 1000 MW solar power plant and about 200 MW of wind power plants by this year across Zonal railways and Production Units. IR are making extensive efforts to make more and more stations 100% green power stations.

 

Blending of Bio-diesel with HSD: The Bio-based fuels produced from the renewable Biomass and other natural products present complete carbon neutrality as CO2 generated by burning these fuels is captured again by trees and plants thus eliminating the adverse environmental impact. The pollutants created by burning of the conventional fossil fuels arising from Sulphur and other harmful elements contained fossil fuels are absent in Bio fuel which results in much lower emission.

 

Natural gas usage emits less greenhouse gases than liquid fuels due to fewer carbon atoms in its molecular structure. Indian Railways have the distinction of being the only railway in the world to be using CNG run locomotives for passenger transportation 

 

Solar energy based solutions for passenger services: The trailer coaches of the first rake  of 1600 HP DEMU  have been provided with solar PV system at its roof which takes care of Electric Supply for the fan and lighting load inside the coach. This will result in saving 5.25 lakh litres of diesel, cost saving up Rs. 3 Cr., reduction of 1350 T of CO2 per train over lifetime of 25 years. The operation was introduced in 14 July 2017.

Solar energy based solutions for Guards of freight trains: IROAF(Organization for Alternative Fuel)  has done successful trial of electricity generation from the Solar PV module for Guard comfort system on Wagons used on freight trains. This is to supply round-the-clock electricity for fan, light and a charging point to the Guards who have until now wotked without these facilities.

 Provision of solar panels on swachhata Express :IROAF has  fitted solar panels of 4.5 kWp capacity each on 10 coaches of Swachhata  Express which is capable of producing 10 kilowatt hour per day of electric supply to lights and fans inside the coach.Swachhta train to showcase the achievements of swachhata Bharat mission  

Solar panels on Workshops and stations : solar PV plant of 2 MWp capacity at roof top of major stations were arranged and commissioned successfully by IROAF under CAPEX through BHEL to meet approximately 25% of annual requirements of the electricity. 

This is a vast subject. I hope that this summerised version will make our valuable readers to understand the introductory part of  IR’s endeavour to  protect nature , natural resources, forests and its wild animals and greenaries thereby making IR working and public environment more beautiful and passenger friendly. Although my small writing initiative temporarily ends here, I am sure that this will put a deep impact on your mind and soul whenever you come closer to Indian Railways.

This blog is by Debasish Sinha

Vcrc 93-95 SER, CRS/ RAIRAKHOL/ ECOR