Diesel vs electric traction

Oil in India

• India is the least explored region for oil
• Well density
• per 100 Sq. Km
• India 20
• World 100
• In 1998, prognosticated hydrocarbon reserves in India were as high as 17 Billion tonnes that can last for 400 years at the consumption rate of 46 Million tonnes per year during that year.
• India consumes 2% of World’s oil, while Indian Railway uses only 1.7% of India ‘s Oil. (Source : TERI Year Books)

Share of Railways in the consumption

Availability of Oil

• The Government is investing Rs.54 400 Crores in connecting the Golden Quadrilateral and diagonals by Super Highways.
• Almost every Automobile / Light Motor Vehicle Manufacturer continues to expand their production capacities.

Fuel Cells

• A simple device uses Hydrogen from fuel combines with Oxygen and produces electricity.
• No noise, no smoke and no moving parts
• As per International Railway Journal of March 2000, Fuel Cell Trains shall be a reality by 2008.
• A breakthrough has already been achieved by BHEL, Hydrabad
• All Overhead wires will then become redundant !!!
• Diesel locos can be easily converted by replacing engine with fuel cell.

Bio - Diesels

• Renewable fuels from bio sources
• include
• Ethanol
• Bio diesel
• Bio hydrogen
• Biogases

• As given by Dr.D.K.TULI, Chief Research Manager - IOC on 21-08-2002

Why Bio diesel is important for Railways ?

• Indian Rail has very large available land
• Bio diesel will help Railways to :
• Improve upon emission norms
• eventually reduce diesel cost
• redeploy surplus manpower
• contribute to environment protection

Importance of Bio diesel

• Environment friendly
• Clean burning
• Renewable fuel
• No engine modification
• Increase in engine life
• Biodegradable and non-toxic
• Easy to handle and store