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 The role of renewable energy in Railway

 The role of renewable energy in Railway

As the world keeps progressing towards achieving its renewable energy goals, many sectors are going through a makeover. It’s done to accomplish the goal of meeting the ever-increasing demands. Various railways and urban metro rail systems are doing everything in their power in exploring options to increase reliability towards cleaner and greener forms of energy.

The railway has been accelerating its efforts in installing and consuming renewable sources of energy as a part of its daily objective. Many Renewable energy companies have joined hands in helping railways reach their aim of reverting to sustainable forms of energy. The end goal is fixed at reducing the amount of carbon footprint that’s left behind. From solar rooftops to wind power projects on railway stations to ground-mount, many modifications are being made to have a greener and sustainable approach. 

Let’s dive into some of the most renewable sources of energy used in railways:

  • Solar rooftop.

Most of the green and sustainable development has also influenced railways immensely. The quest to find out the best ideas and implement them is a constant hustle. The solar rooftops have gained mass momentum as a movement. Solar rooftop panels are placed on top of trains to help trains run using 100% sustainable energy.  The aim is to achieve a net-zero carbon emission status.

Though there’s a mammoth task in hand, there’s a day of hope that someday trains can run on this technology. A self-sustainable train running on wheels can cut down carbon emissions dramatically. Various Renewable energy companies have already found out ways in which there can be the mass implementation of these solar panels. 

  • The concept of wind power :

The wind is known as one of the best sources of renewable and sustainable forms of energy. This power can also help generate energy for running trains on railways instead of using unnecessary fossil fuels. Though these are just on pen and paper, the implementation and execution of this idea can change the whole railway sector. Renewable energy companies have shown specific interest with regards to the establishment of windmills and wind power 

  • Land-based projects: 

The development of railway transport systems is perceived as one of the most effective ways through which the shaping of sustainable urban transportation can be made possible. The land-based projects are another step towards sustainable energy implementation in the railways. Renewable energy companies have very well played their part. 

In vacant railway lands, a solar power project is being installed, making solar energy available for mass railway usage. But again, the deployment of clean energy sources also comes with its set of limitations which these sectors need to resolve individually. 

The concern also revolves around the massive energy requirement for the consistent execution of its plan. Also, there are few restrictions with solar energy as it can only be produced during the day. Some more challenges include procuring vast amounts of renewable power. Besides this intermittency issue, there can be a combination of solar, wind, and hybrid solutions, which can resolve uncertainty. Power disruptions in rail networks are not a sheer drawback.

These upheavals can also pose some severe jeopardy to public health and safety. Designed to make the rail networks both safe and prompt, various systems provide high reliability in a cost-effective and energy-efficient manner. In addition, it also provides support to a variety of other passenger services, including lift systems, ticketing systems, information panels, auxiliary services for rail personnel and so on.

Can the role of renewable energy in railways be considered revolutionary? 

Transport is regarded as a primary factor fostering the development of urban regions.  Urbanization will not be possible without an efficient transportation system. As the modes of transportation and its ways keep progressing in the economic, social, and spatial dimension, more and more people are aware of how crucial it is to adopt a greener and more sustainable form of development.  The external amount of damage caused due to unmonitored conditions of energy in railways has been a cause of global concern as more and more carbon emissions are being whisked away into the environment.

To save the already depleting status of global health, the concept of sustainable mobility is aimed at overthrowing the toxic pollution and carbon footprint that the other forms of railway leaves behind. Implementing the latest technology to increase the efficiency and sustainability of railways has become immensely popular. There is an introduction of spatial management to decrease the demand for coal and other forms of depleting energy. 

The given points above can change the whole game of preservation, and hence the role of renewable energy in railways can be considered revolutionary. Such systems also allow increasing efficiency of transport in multiple ways. There’s this technical improvement of infrastructure, and above all, through introducing a change in the energy source, we contribute to a greener and better earth for our future generations.

This change is also extremely vital in the context of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The everyday functioning of various modes of transportation systems is highly energy-consuming. If railways could play their part, it would reduce a massive amount of emissions. 

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