5-Dec-2019: Head on Generation (HOG) - A Giant Leap forward through an environment friendly and energy efficient technology
Indian cities are struggling with air and noise pollution. The respiratory diseases are increasing at alarming rates in cities. Premium passenger trains fitted with Air-Conditioned coaches and running traditionally on the End-on-Generation (EOG) system are also contributing towards air and noise pollution. These trains are using 2 diesel power cars for feeding power to air-conditioning and lighting load in the passenger coaches which produce an unbearable noise of around 100dB. Further, these power cars guzzle on an average 3000 liters of diesel per trip per train contributing to the pollution in the cities.
Indian Railways have come up with an energy efficient and environment friendly innovative solution to address the issues of air & noise pollution and energy efficiency in running of passenger trains. An improvised converter has been developed, which is fitted in Electric locomotives which can replace these diesel generators. It uses power from overhead catenary to feed auxiliaries in the coaches hauled by Electric locomotives. It saves up to 1 Million liters of diesel per train per annum.
This requires locomotives as well as coaches to be modified for making them suitable for HOG. Locomotives have been manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), over the years, which are HOG compliant. To harness the benefits of this high-end technology, pace of HOG conversion works of LHB coaches has been increased from April 2018 onwards. During April 2018 to 5th November 2019, 436 trains (cumulatively over 500 trains) have been converted into HOG compliant trains. It is planned to convert balance End-On-Generation (EOG) LHB rakes into HOG system on accelerated pace to harness the benefits of energy efficient and environment friendly technology. The major advantages of HOG system include:
- Reduction in noise- from 100dB noise to noise less,
- Significant reduction of CO2 (over 2500Ton) & NOX(over 10Ton) emissions till now,
- Reduced Diesel Consumption leading to huge savings in operational costs to the tune of over Rs.1100 crores per annum,
- Economical- EOG Power Rs 22/unit, HOG Power Rs 6/unit.
Indian Railways has travelled long way since 2010 when Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) turned out first HOG based electric loco No.30277 (WAP7) having 2X500 KVA Hotel Load Converter installed in the locomotive, which is in regular train service since then. As of now more than 550 Electric locomotives have been provided with HOG converter technology and are yielding benefits of savings on fuel bills to Indian Railways, besides being a noise less and emission less solution to the EOG variant.
All passenger Electric Locomotives being produced in Production Units of Indian Railways namely CLW, Diesel Locomotives Works (DLW) & Diesel Loco Modernization Works (DMW) and all passenger coaches manufactured in Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Rail Coach Factory (RCF) & Modern Coach Factory (MCF) are now HOG compliant.
17-Sep-2018: Germany rolls out world’s first hydrogen-powered train.
Germany has rolled out the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, signalling the start of a push to challenge the might of polluting diesel trains with costlier but more eco-friendly technology.
Two bright blue Coradia iLint trains, built by French TGV-maker Alstom, began running a 62 mile (100km) route between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany.
The world’s first hydrogen train is entering into commercial service and is ready for serial production. Alstom has plans to deliver another 14 of the zero-emissions trains to Lower Saxony state by 2021, while other German states have also expressed an interest.
Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions. Excess energy is stored in ion lithium batteries on board the train.
The Coradia iLint trains can run for about 600 miles (1,000km) on a single tank of hydrogen, similar to the range of diesel trains.
Alstom is betting on the technology as a greener, quieter alternative to diesel on non-electrified railway lines – an attractive prospect to many German cities scrambling to combat air pollution. Hydrogen train is somewhat more expensive than a diesel train, but it is cheaper to run.
Other countries are also looking into hydrogen trains, including Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada. In France, the government has already said it wants the first hydrogen train to be on the rails by 2022.
11-Nov-2019: Maxwell X-57 is NASA’s first electric plane powered by 14 motors
NASA showcased the X-57 Maxwell– an early version of its first all-electric experimental aircraft at its aeronautics lab in the California desert. The aircraft has been adapted from an Italian-made Tecnam P2006T twin-engine propeller plane and has been under development since 2015.
The Maxwell is the latest in the line of experimental aircraft NASA has developed over many decades. The others in the category include the bullet-shaped Bell X-1 that first broke the sound barrier and the X-15 rocket plane that was flown by astronaut Neil Armstrong before he joined the Apollo moon team. The Maxwell will be the agency’s first crewed X-plane to be developed in two decades.
At the moment, the X-57 Maxwell is at least a year away from its first test flight, however, NASA made the aircraft ready for its first public preview by attaching the two largest of 14 electric motors powered by specially designed lithium-ion batteries to propel the plane. Even though the X-57 remains under development, the space agency has made a simulator to allow engineers and pilots to get the feel of what it will be like to manoeuvre the finished version of the aircraft.
For an electric aircraft, one challenge is to improve the battery technology in order to store more energy and extend the plane’s range. Due to current battery limitations, Maxwell’s design is envisioned for use as an air-taxi or commuter plane for a small number of passengers in short-haul flights.
The Mod IV or the final modification of the aircraft will feature narrower and lighter-weight wings fitted with a total of 14 electric engines– six smaller “lift” props along the leading edge of each wing and two larger “cruise” props at the tip of each wing. The lift propellers will be activated for take-off and landings but retract during the flight’s cruise phase.
Electric motor systems are quieter than the conventional engines and since they are also more compact with fewer moving parts, they are simpler to maintain and weigh much less, requiring less energy to fly.
Private companies have been developing all-electric planes and hover-craft for years. NASA’s X-57 venture aims to provide designing and technology standards including standards for airworthiness, safety, noise, and energy efficiency. The commercial manufacturers can adapt these parameters for government certification.