India's first RRTS corridor starts generating power from inhouse Solar Plant

Ghaziabad, India (Metro Rail Today): Moving towards its target of meeting 70% of the total power requirement of Delhi- Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor from inhouse Solar Plants and external renewable energy sources, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has achieved its first milestone in this direction. NCRTC's first Solar Power Plant has started generating power.

This solar power plant has been installed at the rooftop of Ghaziabad Receiving Sub-Station (RSS) and a total of 54 solar panels have been installed on its roof. The size of these panels is approximately 1x2 meters. About 25000 units of electricity can be generated every year by these solar panels installed on the rooftop of Ghaziabad RSS.

Energy generated from solar power plants is being used by NCRTC under RESCO model. Under this model, the service provider company produces energy by installing solar power plants at the locations provided. NCRTC has not invest anything but has to pay for the energy charges supplied by the developer at the rate decided through competitive bidding. This generated power is to be used for meeting auxiliary consumption of stations/buildings etc. The power supply from Ghaziabad RSS has started and is being used to meet local requirement.

NCRTC has identified about 11 MWp Solar Power potential on the rooftop of stations & buildings of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. It is estimated that about 10 million units of solar energy will be generated from these plants, which will be used by NCRTC mostly for meeting its auxiliary consumption of stations/buildings etc. NCRTC has planned a target of meeting about 70% of the total energy requirement from renewable energy sources. The work of installation of solar panels at stations, depots and other places of RRTS corridor is going on at present.

NCRTC is also committed for efficient energy consumption. RRTS trains are equipped with state-of-the-art regenerative braking system which converts the kinetic energy of the train into electrical energy. Regenerative braking will result in reduced wear and tear of wheels, brake pads and other associated moving brake-gear parts of rolling stock, resulting in significantly reduced consumption of these spare parts/items during the maintenance life cycle of the train, resulting in substantial reduction in CO2 emissions that would have been generated in the manufacturing and supply chain process of these spare parts/items.

In addition, all RRTS stations and their premises, depots, offices and trains will be equipped with energy-saving LED lights. Platform screen doors will be installed at each RRTS stations which will help in saving significant energy consumption in underground stations.

Through the use of clean energy, these efforts of NCRTC will ensure reduction in cost of electricity and substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, which is essential for sustainable development. NCRTC is looking forward to completing the priority section with all passenger amenities in the month of March.