KOZHIKODE: Energy saving measures and initiatives taken by Palakkad railway division saved Rs 62.3 lakhs in terms of electricity bill payment in 2016-17. Switching to LED bulbs and boards, using energy efficient fans and AC units were beneficial. All the conventional tubelights at major stations had been replaced with LED tubes. Of the total number of 95 stations in the division, 75 are now using LED lights. The conventional 400 watts metal halide lights used in the high mast lamps were replaced with 160 watts LED flood lights.
“During the year, we only used 9.37 Lakhs units of electricity which is very less compared to the previous year. The conversion process to energy saving mode is fast progressing in other stations and the consumption will come down in future,” said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Naresh Lalwani. The using of energy efficient Brush Less Direct Current (BLDC) fans and inverter type AC units contributed to the mission.
Savings in energy in a BLDC fans is 30 watts compared to regular induction fan. In another initiative, the neon-based station name boards were replaced with LED-based boards at Palakkad Junction, Shoranur Junction, Kozhikode and Thalassery. The division has introduced 10KW and 20KW solar power plants at DRM’s Office and at the Railway Hospital in Palakkad. A 3kwp plant at Thalassery and a 2kwp plant at Parali railway stations have also started functioning.
