In a major technological breakthrough, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has successfully developed a state-of-the-art Regeneration System through in-house R&D efforts, for Railways’ fleet of conventional electric locomotives.
The country’s first such regenerative 5000 HP WAG-7 Electric locomotive was flagged-off by Ghanshyam Singh, Member Traction & Ex-Officio Secretary to the Ministry of Railways, in the presence of Atul Sobti, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL from the company’s Jhansi plant. Directors on the board of BHEL and senior officials from Indian Railways were also present on this occasion.
The idea of developing the energy efficient Regeneration System was mooted by Railways and BHEL responded to it by successfully developing the technology in-house, giving an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
With this, a new line of business has opened for BHEL and the company has expanded its footprint in the transportation sector.
BHEL has developed a system introducing the regenerative braking concept in these locomotives, that will feed the energy back to the overhead power lines. This will result in significant saving in energy consumption for Indian Railways. The system has already been tested in a 5000 HP, WAG7 Type, electric locomotive of Indian Railways at Jhansi.(UNI)