Siemens-Rlys eye carbon credits

For the first time in the Indian transportation industry, the Indian Railways and Siemens are jointly exploring the possibility of earning carbon credits on energy-saving projects of the former. Siemens may extend assistance to this end on two railway energy regeneration projects being executed by it.

"The idea is at a conceptual stage and we have to appoint consultants for preparing a report on whether it is feasible to claim carbon credits on these projects and work out the revenue implications," a Siemens executive said.

However, he added the process could be initiated only by the railways. After a formal proposal was made, it would have to be ratified by independent consultants listed in the Kyoto Protocol. Only then can the projects qualify for carbon credits, he said.

Railway ministry officials said a memorandum of understanding may be signed with Siemens for co-operation between the entities, after getting a go-ahead from the Railway Board.

They added that the two projects that Siemens is implementing involve supplying special types of locomotives that utilise the momentum of trains running on electricity to regenerate the energy dissipated during braking. This energy can be utilised by another train in the section, running on the same overhead electric cables.

"The process results in 10-30 per cent savings in electricity consumption for the railways, as it will not have to buy power from various thermal stations to the extent of energy regenerated and utilised," an official source said.

Ministry sources added that the lesser electricity outgo of the thermal power stations to the railways for its electricity consumption would in turn result in lower carbon emissions.

Officials added that the railways was interested in using many more of its electrification projects which had resulted in lower carbon emissions for claiming carbon credits. The revenues could then be ploughed back for developing infrastructure, they added.

Siemens is executing two projects for supplying electrical multiple units for Mumbai sub-urban trains that had been running on direct current. The new car units will enable the trains to also run on alternate current.

While one is a railways contract for supplying 56 car rakes, the other is a Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation contract for 101 rakes for Western and Central Railways.

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Power move

Siemens may help railways in two energy regeneration projects

It will supply special locomotives that will regenerate energy dissipated during braking

Saved energy can be used by another train

Projects will cut down railways electricity consumption by 10-30%