Context:
In an effort to help Indian Railways achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Ministry of Railways is considering leveraging wind energy by installing wind turbines along railway tracks, according to sources.
Indian Railways Wind Energy Scheme
- Objective
- Indian Railways must conduct a preliminary feasibility study about installing wind turbines along railway tracks to achieve zero net carbon emission by 2030.
- Current Developments
- 487MW of solar, 103 MW of wind turbines has already installed.
- Wind turbines placed along transport infrastructures are known to be innovative sources of renewable energy generation around the world.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are a source of renewable energy that converts wind into electricity. Wind turbines are a source of clean energy because they do not burn fuel or pollute the air.
- How do wind turbines work?
- Wind turbines use the force of wind to spin a rotor, which is connected to a generator.
- The rotor blades operate similar to the wings of an airplane, whereby air pressure is different on the opposite sides of the blade.
- The difference in air pressure will result in creating lift and drag forces, which the lift forces are stronger than the drag forces causing the rotor to spin.
- Spinning rotor power will drive a generator, hence generating electricity
- Advantages of wind turbines
- Wind is a vast inexhaustible resource.
- Wind turbines can be used in powering homes and businesses.
- Wind turbines can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- Factors affecting the performance of wind turbines
- The size of the turbine and the length of its blades
- The speed of the wind
- The seasonal or annual rhythm of the wind
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is an Indian public sector enterprise, which provides financial assistance and other services to projects related to renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation.
- Founded
- 1987
- Chairman
- Pradip Kumar Das
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q.With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
- It is a Public Limited Government Company.
- It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
