4 ms·
Best case, that much solar generates about 38 horsepower for about 5 hours per day. The engine generates about 4000 horsepower. I would be astounded if this low
by pilom 9y ago
Best case, that much solar generates about 38 horsepower for about 5 hours per day. The engine generates about 4000 horsepower. I would be astounded if this lowered fuel usage by 1% after you count the added weight of the batteries and electronics or if it lowered costs by anywhere near 1% due to the added maintenance issues.
- abc_lisper 9y agoI think they seem to say that each compartment has it's own diesel generator. They don't seem to use the train engine for that.
- ams6110 9y agoUnlikely. I've never seen a rail coach with its own power, other than perhaps some batteries for backup emergency lighting. Coaches draw power from the locomotive which already has a huge generator to power the traction motors.
- volkl48 9y agoThat's not how modern trains generally work although it's possible that's how India's trains still work. Usually there's a HEP (head-end power) generator on the locomotive and the rest of the coaches are just plugged into that/each other to distribute the power down the train. Most regions have standard connectors/voltages and such to make this pretty seamless.
- ashwinm 9y agoThis is for engine power but for other electrical usage inside the train.
- ulfw 9y agoCompletely agree. They can be lucky if these panels power on board electricity and air conditioning (in new trains that have those) but that's about it. A diesel locomotive and full trainsets is hundreds of tons heavy. You can't propel these with a handful of solar panels on top.
- aruggirello 9y agoThe panels will "power the lights, fans, and information display systems inside passenger coaches", which are currently powered by separate diesel engines, thus already incurring fuel & maintenance costs.