Bisheshwar Mishra / AMN
NEW DELHI: As one of the largest consumers of energy in the country, the Indian Railways has been grappling with the question of conserving energy and reducing their energy bills. In order to fulfill this bid, the Railways has now sought the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the two have jointly called for an International Summit on “Energy Efficient Technologies in Railways” to be held here on Friday, November 6.
Through this new initiative, the Railways seeks to explore the latest energy efficient technologies so as to lower their energy costs and at the same time facilitate sustainable development. In his Rail Budget speech the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had emphasised over energy conservation and energy saving programmes. Following this direction, the railway officials had undertaken detailed auditing of energy being used in the railways. The audit report is likely to reveal huge potential for saving energy, according to information given by the railway information department.
The information also claimed that there was tremendous scope for growth and large scale investment opportunities in the near future. That the railways is committed to achieving a cumulative target of electrifying 33,000 km of its existing tracks and adding another 25,000 km of new lines by the year 2020. To meet this target in an energy efficient and sustainable manner, IR has developed a long-term (2010-2032) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP).
The International summit is expected to reveal crucial advances made in design and delivery of electric traction technologies and other solutions in Rail sector. During the event, research work of experts from the field of energy efficiency will be presented. On the sidelines of the event, new technologies and innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency in the Rail sector will also be showcased by technology leaders. This endeavour is also supported by Institution of Railway Electrical Engineers (IREE), a professional body of Railway Electrical Engineers.
The Summit will provide a platform for policy makers, manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss potential energy efficiency solutions and technologies for reducing IR’s carbon footprint. It shall aid in setting benchmarks for IRs best practices from railway systems around the world. The observations thus made will help in preparing the roadmap required for achieving the desired reduction in carbon emissions. The event will also see technology leaders demonstrating new technologies and introducing innovative solutions.
Large number of delegates from all over the world including key experts from the rail sector, rail operators, rail infrastructure management companies, energy efficiency solution providers and energy-efficient technology suppliers are expected to attend this day long summit.