1. Green Initiative on Rail Coaches – A case study of Northern Railway

2. Some Green Initiatives Taken in Recent Past
Solar Powered BG Coach
2. LED Lights in existing Rail Coaches
3. External feed during maintenance of EOG trains
4. Adopting Head on Generation (HOG) system – Feeding EOG train from Locomotive

3. Use of Solar Energy to Power Rail Coaches
N.Rly for the 1st time experimented feeding of lighting load on Narrow Gauge rail coaches of KLK-SML & Kangra Valley sections by Solar PV cells in 2012
The cost of Electrical energy in SG/EOG systems is above Rs per unit
Solar PV based electric energy on the top of coaches can reduce to power Rail Coaches with benefit of green energy

4. Narrow Gauge Rake with Solar PV cells on the top

5. After getting success on NG coaches One BG GS coach was provided with Solar PV units for technology demonstration.
Unit details:
Area available on the coach = 40 m2
12 Panels of 300Wp each = 3.6kWp
Area covered by 12 panels = 24 m2
Area left uncovered = 16 m2
Each Module has 72 cells (0.416V)
Solar Panel System voltage = 120 V
Rating of Charge Controller = 110V, 30A (Voltage range VDC)
Total weight of 22 Kgs/module = 264 Kgs
The system uses existing coach battery of 120Ah, 110V

8. Trial run results of December, 2014
During Winters:
Generation period = 7 Hrs (10.00 to Hrs)
Average generation is about 6.5 Amps
Maximum current generated = 13.5 A
Average Power generated = 5.1 kWh
Power req. with 12 hrs working/day in winters with LED lights = 3.17 kWh

9. Likely Generation in Summers
Generation period = 12 Hrs (06.00 to Hrs)
Power generated = 11.4 kWh
Total power requirement/day in summers with 12 hrs working = 13.5 kWh
Enhanced Capacity of the system covering full roof area = 9 kWp
Generation with full roof covered = 19 kWhp
This can meet requirement of Non AC coach with over 15 Hrs coach working

10. Challenges faced in system installation
Designing the system to take care of wind pressure upto a speed of 120kmph
Giving aerodynamic shape to the complete assembly
Matching the channel of the panel with the coach body channels
Taking extra precaution by strengthening & welding the bolts & channel together
Ensure no water leaks from the bolt fixing points

11. Challenges faced in system installation
Keeping height of panel within SOD
Reducing coach electric load by providing LED lights & BLDC fans
Fixing of Charge Controller inside the coach above Rotary Junction Box
Providing facility of connection with the adjoining coach

12. Future ahead
A system can be adopted wherein the solar PV module coach can work independently without alternator & having TC with the adjoining coach
This will greatly increase the coach availability as line failures on account of Alternator/Belt will reduce
Higher capacity PV cells can be explored to enhance generation capacity
PV cells may be of laminated type and provided as part of roof only
Modules may be provided on the side & End walls of the coach to enhance the capacity by 30%
Higher capacity VRLA battery bank be used

13. Financial viability of system with complete roof covered with PV modules
Cost of provision of solar panel = 6.0 Lacs/coach
2. Saving with solar panels/coach/annum = Rs 1.27 Lacs
Av. Generation by solar energy for the complete year = 9.55 Units/Day
Saving with solar panel per annum = 3486 Units
Saving of 15.88/Unit = Rs 55,358.00/Annum
Saving due to low maintenance = Rs72,000.00/Annum
Effective saving per year = Rs 1,27,358.00/Annum
3. ROR is about 5 years

14. LED Light retrofit in existing Rail Coaches
Existing coaches are provided with FL tubes of 18/20W or 2 CFLs each of 11W
N.Rly developed specification for retro-fitment with LED lights of 9W replacing existing 18W FL
Lux level improved by more then 40%
Passenger Feedback is excellent
Improved lights giving better aesthetic & feeling of safety
Colour temp k (White Light)
Colour rendering index ˃ 70
Protections for Short Circuit & current limiting
The ROR in non AC/LHB coach is about 2 yrs

15. Use of Energy efficient LED lights in TL coaches

16. Improvement in Lux level with LED lights in TL coaches – Train no
Location
With LED lights
With Tube Lights
Lumen
Cabin 1 87 46
Cabin 4 85 44
Cabin 8 88 47

17. Provision of 750V External supply during maintenance for EOG trains
This provides an average saving of 240Ltrs HSD/rake
Average saving of DG set running ≃ 4-5 Hrs/day/rake
Average annual saving per rake ≃ Rs 25 Lacs
Used existing system/equipment (50/60 kVA Trs.)
Provided at NDLS, NZM, DEE, ANVT, ASR & JAT depots

18. HOG Scheme
Running of 12005/06 NDLS-KLK Shatabdi Express on HOG scheme started from
Second STB, 12045/’46 CDG-NDLS started on
Approximate fuel saving – 1500 Ltrs per Rs per trip

19. Thanks for remaining interactive

21. Schematic diagram Solar Module JUNCTION BOX EXISTING BATTERY BANK,
 300Wp
JUNCTION BOX
EXISTING BATTERY BANK,
110V, 120Ah
CHARGE CONTROLLER, 110V, 30A
LOAD
Solar Module

22. Shifted Rotary Junction Box
Charge Controller

23. Coach with Solar panel without alternator
Normal Coach with 4.5 kW alternator

24. Saving due to maintenance in solar coach
For a rake of 20 coaches
Minimum 2 skilled & 2 unskilled staff are deputed for underframe
Minimum staff/day/coach = 0.1 skilled & 0.1 unskilled
Staff expenditure/coach/month =
0.1 x x = =
Staff expenditure/coach/year = 12 x 6000 =