Railways to run train on solar energy produced from Bina plant
   Date :08-Jul-2020

The solar power plant_1&n
 The solar power plant set up in Bina.
 
By Ankita Garg :
 
TAKING a step forward towards energy conservation and curbing pollution, Railways is flexing muscles to run train with solar power from the plant set up in Bina. This will be the first train in India to use energy generated from a solar plant. After setting up 1.7 megawatt of solar power plant at Bina traction sub-station, Railways has planned to connect 25KV overhead electric line with this system. The equipment have been set up with joint efforts of BHEL and Indian Railways. Testing of the set up has been started where a special technique of converting DC into single phase of AC current.
 
This technique will help to supply power directly into overhead line. Annual production capacity of this equipment will be 25 lakh units that will help to save over Rs 1.37 crore. PR, Bhopal, I A Siddique said, “Energy generated from the solar plant will be directly input to the traction. Efforts are being made to run the train with solar power which is first time in India. Final testing in this direction has been started.” He further said that Railways is focusing on positive use of vacant lands, sheds, platforms etc by setting up power plants. This will help Railways to become independent in power sector.