Metro denies adding to Delhi's power woes, actually helps save power

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) Delhi Metro Rail Corp today clarified that it is not adding to the national capital's power shortage woes and claimed that it is actually contributing to electricity saving efforts in the city.

Delhi Metro used a very small percentage of Delhi's total power requirement, out of an average demand of 3,200 MW it used 45 MW, which came to about 1.5 per cent, DMRC sources said.

The metro, carrying more than 4.5 lakh passengers each day, was five times more energy efficient than any other mode of public transport, they added.

Besides, Delhi Metro was undertaking a number of power saving initiatives like IGBT (very high quality) based variable voltage and variable frequency drives (VVVF) in the trains that helped in reducing power consumption during starting and stopping, they added.

Regenerating braking in trains saved 25 to 30 per cent energy consumption that was being used to meet the auxiliary power requirement of the trains.

Lighter coaches were used by the metro ensured less consumption of energy.

Stations were designed on hump to ensure faster acceleration after start and faster deceleration while stopping.

Air conditioning system on the stations were optimally designed.

Energy efficient equipment were selected for AC and ventilation system.

Sky Lights at stations were designed to ensure daylight to come in that saving power.

Undergound lighting system were designed to switch off lights in blocks of 25 per cent which meant that every fourth light could be switched off with a single switch. This ensured control on lighting consumption. The dimming system on line-III ensured reduction of power as per day light condition.

Variable voltage and variable frequency drives (VVVF) in lifts and escalator matched power requirement as per actual load. It saved 30 per cent of energy while escalators were running without passengers.

Escalator were also designed in such a way that when there was no passenger or less passengers the speed automatically reduced. His helped in 30 per cent of energy saving.

Water Pumps had level control system which helped in automatically switching off of the pump after a certain level of water filling.

Circulating area and entry lighting for the underground section had been provided with separate lighting control system which could be switched off during the day time.

Tunnel lights were put off during the day time.

Air conditioning at underground stations was also adjusted as per passenger loads.

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