Indian Railways to use Wind Turbines for Power

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Indian Railways to use Wind Turbines for Power

Indian Railways has said that it aims to generate 10% of its electricity from solar power and other renewable sources by 2020.

The company’s initial aims are to erect wind turbines with a capacity of 170MW on land that it owns. It is also planning to install photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of 15MW at 200 railway stations, 20 office buildings and more than 6,000 level crossing gates throughout the country.

It intends to increase this to a total installed capacity of 5GW over the next five years.

Solar panels will also be placed on top of two narrow-gauge trains on the Pathankot – Jogindernagar route in northern India.

According to The Economic Times news site, the cost of installing the panels will be $6,000, and they are expected to save almost $2,000 per year. If the tests are successful, a broader system may be rolled out.

Indian Railways is the world’s seventh largest commercial employer and runs 12,000 trains each day carrying 23 million passengers.

Earlier this year India installed photovoltaic panels above canals in the north-western state of Gujarat.

Canadian engineer WSP has suggested that UK rail companies may consider using solar powering for their systems.

Source and Link: GCR News

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.