Riding the Green Rails: Revolutionising Indian Railways with Renewable Energy

Abstract

The document focuses on the green initiatives of Indian Railways (IR) to transform into a more sustainable and environment friendly mode of transportation by incorporating renewable energy sources (RES) into its electrification processes. The paper emphasises IR's commitment to achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030 and its strategy to integrate RES, such as solar and wind energy, to power railway electrification. It explores the challenges and potential solutions related to achieving this green initiative, including the use of hybrid microgrids or round-the-clock (RTC) power supply and the adoption of energy-efficient measures in rolling stock design and operations. The document also highlights the importance of collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, to successfully achieve IR's goal of becoming an environmentally sustainable rail transport system by 2030. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of IR's initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and embrace sustainable practices, emphasising the potential of renewable energy sources to transform the railway network into a cleaner, greener, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation. It underscores the significance of these efforts in reducing carbon emissions, promoting energy efficiency, and contributing to India's broader environmental goals of sustainable development with self-reliance.