Kolkata: Metro Railway To Install Batteries To Rescue Trains During Power Outages On Blue Line

Metro Railway is all set to introduce a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to keep trains running during power failures on the Blue Line.

This new system will help stranded trains move to the nearest station quickly and safely.

The BESS, which combines inverters and advanced lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, will be installed at the Central station sub-station. This system will allow stranded trains to travel at 30 km/hr to the nearest station during a power cut, eliminating the need for passengers to wait in tunnels or on elevated tracks.

The shortest distance between two stations on this line is about 700 meters, with the longest stretch being over 2 kilometers.

According to The Telegraph Online, the new system uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which are more efficient and safer than traditional lead-acid batteries. They take up much less space, are significantly lighter, and have a longer lifespan. These batteries can store energy and provide it during peak hours, making them financially viable as well.

Approved in May 2021 by the Union Cabinet, the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell battery storage has a budget of Rs 18,100 crore. The Metro project is part of this initiative, making Metro Railway the first in Indian Railways to use this system.

Each BESS unit has a lifespan of around 14 years and requires 106 square meters for installation. They charge quickly and can save energy costs by reducing peak-hour power demand, storing energy at night for use during the day.

Metro Railway has ordered the first BESS unit from the Indian subsidiary of a Taiwanese power electronics company. This unit, with a capacity of 4MW, will be installed at Central sub-station and will cover the entire stretch from Dum Dum to Tollygunge.

The first unit is expected to be operational by the end of this year, with plans to install six more units in the future.