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Indian Railways' first solar-powered 1600 HP DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) is ready! In line with the vision to use renewable energy, Indian Railways has unveiled a new broad gauge solar-powered train that it says is a "path-breaking" leap towards making trains "greener and more environment friendly". The solar power DEMU train has six trailer coaches and is expected to save about 21,000 litres of diesel and ensure a cost saving of Rs 12 lakh per year. FE Online brings you an extensive preview of the new solar-power train and its features: (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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The train has solar panels fitted on its roof and these will be used to light up the cabins and run fans. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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Each coach has 16 solar panels fitted on its roof and the average energy generation per day is expected to be 10KWhr. The power output at 300 Wp of the 16 solar solar panels combined would be 4800 Wp. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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The solar energy generation system in the DEMU is supported with a battery bank to power passenger facilities so that there is uninterrupted power supply even during the night and on a rainy day. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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Other features of the new train include; data recording through data-logger, protection against surging, flame-proof e-beam cables, auto low voltage cut off and wake up system through change controller, anti-pilferage measures and auto changeover with main supply power car. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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The solar energy system fitted in the DEMU train would result in a saving of 5.25 lakh litres of diesel per train over a life time of 25 years, says Indian Railways. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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The cost saving of Rs 3 crore per train over a life time of 25 years is predicted by the Railways. Additionally, there will be a reduction of 1350 tons of carbon dioxide per train over the same time period. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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This Solar DEMU rake has been commissioned and based at the Shakurbasti DEMU shed. The first DEMU train with prototype solar-based hotel load system has been manufactured by ICF Chennai and has been fitted with solar panels by IROAF. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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Going ahead, Indian Railways plans to extend the use of solar energy to its entire rolling stock. There are plans to develop a new technology such as flexi solar panels and lithium ion batteries. Railways also plans to develop a solar-powered train grid for all Mail and Express trains. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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According to Indian Railways, the use of solar power system in all Mail and Express trains will result in a recurring cost saving of around Rs 672 crore per year. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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In 2015, Northern Railways had fitted one coach of the Rewari-Sitapur broad gauge passenger train with solar panels. However, this is the first DEMU broad gauge train, in which all coaches have solar panels, says Railways. Solar panel fitted coaches already run on narrow-gauge trains plying on Pathankot-Jogindernagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section. (Image by Arunava Biswas)
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