Greenrail Trials PV Sleepers on Railway Line
Greenrail Group has initiated the deployment of its special PV railroad-tie solution along a railway line in Emilia Romagna, Italy. The company developed the system in compliance with the UNI 10349 standard.
Image: Greenrail
Based in Italy, Greenrail Group has been conducting trials of PV-equipped railway sleepers along a stretch between the towns of Modena and Sassuolo in Emilia Romagna, Italy, since 2018.
"We engineered the photovoltaic sleepers in accordance with the UNI 10349 standard," stated CEO Emanuele Occhipinti to pv magazine. "These prototypes form part of an experimental segment that has demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of efficacy."
Occhipinti highlighted the ease of assembly and maintenance of the sleepers.
"Cleaning 1 km of solar railways takes just a few minutes, utilizing a trolley equipped with brushes and a water jet underneath, facilitating swift cleaning of large surfaces and saving resources and time compared to conventional PV plant maintenance," he elaborated.
Greenrail conducted a series of regular tests over six months, assessing energy efficiency, resilience to weather conditions, and impact on railway operations. The initial results, as per the company, are promising, affirming the durability and efficacy of the solar sleeper solution.
"Thus far, the initial feedback has been highly positive and promising, both regarding the energy efficiency of the photovoltaic components and their ability to endure railway operational demands," Occhipinti remarked.
The company asserts that 1 km of solar sleepers could generate 44 MWh per year. The generated energy can either be supplied to the grid or utilized to power railway stations in remote areas, level crossings, and traffic signals.
"By integrating photovoltaic modules into Greenrail railway sleepers, we are converting railways into highly productive, sustainable energy powerhouses," Occhipinti emphasized. "Moreover, by employing recycled materials like rubber and plastic in sleeper production, we showcase our dedication to environmental sustainability."
