Electrical Energy Conservation Aspects in Indian Railways

Abstract

Indian Railways (IR) is the designated consumer of electricity in India. Railways utilize electrical energy to run railway on electric motors as well as for illumination of railway platforms, railway compartments, railway track, etc. Electricity in railways also utilized for railway traffic signalling. Electricity plays a very important role in Indian Railways. Indian Railways’ power demand is 2000 MW at present. Currently, there are only 60% of electrified railway tracks in India. The power requirement for 100% electrified broad gauge will increase from 2000 megawatts (MW) to 3400 MW. So, there is a need to reduce energy consumption by means of energy conservation. Formerly, the lighting systems used on railways are incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, HPMV lamps, metal halide lamps and HPSV lamps. Lighting systems are one of the key areas of railway energy consumption. Today, LEDs are widely used for lighting in stations, service buildings, residential premises and more. This article gives a current condition, an initiative to reduce consumption, some energy conservation aspects in Indian Railways.