Chennai:Â The Chennai Metro Rail is moving in the direction of sustainability. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) plan use green power to fuel 80 per cent of metro operations. The tender for the same have been invited and the metro body aims to procure renewable energy source to power metro operations.
CMRL is scouting for a consultant who can help them in sourcing both wind and solar power. A tender for the same has been invited to look for a consultant to assist them. The metro officials are putting efforts to run environment friendly mass transit system.
An official from CMRL informs that they will be buying wind and solar power from open market. Tender for the same have been invited. The metro body is looking for a consultant who can help in determining the source, cost and capacity of power to be purchased. In about two months all the aspects relating to operating on green power is likely to be finalised.
CMRL is exploring buying power from open market in order to reduce half the operational cost. An official said that currently they pay around Rs 8 per unit to Tangedco. They will now look for a source with tariff charges of Rs 3.50. The cost will only be determined once they finalise the consultant for power procurement.
The renewable power will be employed to drive the traction system required to run the trains. It will also be used to both underground and elevated metro stations.
CMRL additionally has also put in 6MW capacity solar panels in elevated stations. At its maintenance depot in Koyambedu it has installed 1mw capacity photovoltaic panels. With this initiative, the metro body is eyeing to save Rs 1.12 crore every year.
Power facts
- An elevated metro station requires 1,900 units on average every day. This is need to escalators and lighting
- An underground station consumes 3,500 units as it needs to run its air-conditioning and ventilation. This along with other functions like lighting and running escalators
Do you know metro rail generates its own power by traction system?
The regenerative braking system helps save about 30 per cent energy installed in metro train. When an operator applies brakes, three-phase traction motors installed in the trains double as generators to produce electricity. This then goes into the overhead electricity lines.
