Indian Railways is embarking on an ambitious initiative called 'Hydrogen for Heritage' with the aim of cutting down carbon emissions. The plan involves operating 35 hydrogen trains, which emit zero carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, making them an eco-friendly option for green transportation. This move is in line with India's zero carbon emission goals.
To kickstart the project, the Indian Railways will conduct field trials of the first prototype train, equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway. These trials are scheduled to begin in March 2024, and the activities are well on track to meet the set timeline.
To facilitate the implementation, the Railways has awarded a pilot project valued at Rs 111.83 crore. The project entails retrofitting a hydrogen fuel cell on an existing diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) rake, along with the necessary ground infrastructure. Each train's retrofitment is estimated to cost around Rs 80 crore, while the ground infrastructure for each route is projected to be approximately Rs 70 crore.
The success of this pilot project holds the potential to inspire other industries worldwide to adopt similar clean energy solutions, utilizing innovative and eco-friendly technologies.
In fact, Sri Lanka can learn valuable lessons from India's successful initiatives to curb carbon emissions, especially from freight trains. Key strategies include the widespread electrification of the railway network, adoption of renewable energy sources for powering trains, implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and optimizing freight transport to reduce carbon footprint. Sri Lanka can prioritize afforestation and environmental conservation along railway lines, attract foreign investment and forge partnerships, and establish robust policies and regulations to promote sustainability. Public awareness campaigns and data collection for monitoring emissions will further enhance Sri Lanka's efforts to make its transportation sector more eco-friendly and contribute to global climate action.
Collaboration between the two countries can facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best practices in sustainable transportation.
The Indian Railways, being one of the world's largest railway networks, has set an ambitious target to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.
This endeavour is a crucial part of India's broader goal to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The Railways currently contributes 4% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, which itself accounts for 14% of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions.
In its pursuit of sustainable practices, the Railways is also focusing on achieving 100 percent electrification, further bolstering its commitment to green transportation and environmental conservation.
The railway network has taken significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint. In March, Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated in Lok Sabha that various energy-efficient technologies have been adopted to achieve this goal.
These measures include the complete transition to three-phase electric locomotives with regenerative features, the implementation of head-on generation (HOG) technology, the use of LED lights in buildings and coaches, the use of star-rated appliances, and a focus on afforestation.
To meet the ambitious Net Zero Carbon emission target, the railways are moving away from diesel and embracing electric traction while promoting energy efficiency and afforestation. It is estimated that by 2029-2030, the energy demand of Indian Railways will be around 8,200 Mega Watt (MW), necessitating approximately 30,000 MW of renewable energy capacity.
As of February 2023, around 147 MW of solar power plants (both on rooftops and land) and approximately 103 MW of wind power plants are operational. Additionally, a commitment has been made to develop roughly 2,150 MW of renewable energy capacity.
Indian Railways has formulated plans to progressively fulfill its future energy requirements through diverse power procurement strategies. Among its targets, the railways aim to generate 20 GW of solar energy by 2030 and have already solarised more than 960 stations.
Their vision is to transition completely into a "Green mode of transportation" by utilizing solar energy for traction power needs. This aligns with the Prime Minister's directive in 2020 to solarize train stations and utilize unused railroad land for renewable energy projects. To date, about 142 megawatts of solar plants and 103 MW of wind power plants have been commissioned as reported by news agencies till October 31, 2022.
Furthermore, Indian Railways is taking active steps to increase the use of green fuels, as it currently blends 5% biofuels in traction diesel fuel. These initiatives collectively demonstrate the railways' strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The Indian railways have implemented various measures to curb carbon emissions, especially from freight trains, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In pursuit of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030, the railways have undertaken a range of initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint. These include the widespread electrification of the railway network, adoption of renewable energy sources, and efforts to decrease energy consumption.
India has set ambitious targets for carbon reduction and the adoption of clean energy as part of its path to low-carbon economic growth. According to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, India aims to reduce its Gross Domestic Product's (GDP) emissions by 45% of 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, the country has committed to generating nearly half of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. The Indian railways play a crucial role in helping the nation achieve its 2030 emission goals due to their vast scale, being the fourth-largest railway network globally and a major electricity consumer.
To align with this vision, the railways are pursuing various strategies, including attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for railway infrastructure construction, operation, maintenance, and safety.
By 2050, India is projected to account for 40% of global rail activity, and significant FDI inflows have already been observed in the sector. The electrification of the railways is essential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, which have increased due to the rising dependence on fuel for efficient railway operations.
To achieve "net-zero" emissions, the railways are moving towards electrification and reducing the use of diesel-powered trains. By doing so, they can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 15 million tonnes. This aligns with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with an NDC goal of 5%, leading to substantial fuel savings and other financial benefits.
Over the years, electrification of railway tracks has increased significantly, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and improving both environmental impact and operational efficiency.
Indian Railways has achieved several milestones in electrification, with substantial sections of the railway network now electrified. This progress is a positive step towards the railways' goal of complete electrification and contributing to India's overall carbon reduction efforts.
In conclusion, the Indian railways' commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030 is a critical endeavor to combat climate change and reduce the nation's carbon emissions. Through electrification, renewable energy adoption, and energy-efficient practices, the railways are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for India's transportation sector.
