Belgium Launches First Solar-Driven Train

[marmar]

The first train in Belgium driven by solar energy is to ride on Monday between Antwerp Central and Station Noorderkempen in Brecht.

According to a spokesperson for rail network manager Infrabel, the project is a "milestone" in the development of renewable energy.

The train is powered by some 16,000 solar panels on the so called "Zonnetunnel", a some 3,5 kilometres (2.2 miles) long tunnel between Schoten and Brasschaat, northern Belgium. The panels cover a surface of some 50,000 sq m (538,200 sq ft) and will generate 3,300 MWh electricity per year, or the yearly consumption of 950 households.

These solar panels are powering both trains and rail infrastructure, the spokesperson said, adding that the "green trains" are driving just as conventional trains and passengers will not notice any difference. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/10280472/belgium-launches-first-solar-driven-train

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Awesome. Thank you. K&R n/t

[malaise]

2. Fabulous

but remember the war criminal of a dick said oil has run the American economy for over 100 years.

Meanwhile the rational find alternatives that work.

[Control-Z]

3. Wow!!

Where are ours?? We must have a few working already. No?

[Gregorian]

4. This is total news to me. Amazing.

I had no idea this was being built. This should be a model for everyone. Brilliant.

[fishwax]

5. wow!

that is quite amazing.

:kick:

[valerief]

6. Wow, it must be great living in a first world nation. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Remember kiddies that USED to be the US

where we did cutting edge things like that

[MrMickeysMom]

8. That's news I can look forward to... LET'S DO IT HERE!

Please?

[valerief]

9. It might involve stopping WAR or taxing the rich. Can't have either of those in this

GMO Corn Republic.

[MrMickeysMom]

19. Heh...

GMO Corn Republic..... good place card, isn't it?

[librechik]

10. no, that technology will never be ready for real world applications...wait

thanks for actually doing it Belgium, instead of maning that it can't be done. It cost about $50 M. Even sounds affordable, great for short biz runs, say around NYC/DC?

[Kaleko]

13. The article says it cost about USD 23 million.

"The installation of the solar panels was initiated by the municipal authorities of Brasschaat and Schoten and energy firm Solar Power Systems. The investments totalled some EUR 15.7 million (USD 23m) and were provided by parties including solar energy firm Enfinity and Infrabel.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.463)"

Either way, it's a fantastic achievement.

[KittyWampus]

11. So it can be done.

[Uncle Joe]

12. Kicked and recommended for the great nation of Belgium.

Thanks for the thread, marmar.:thumbsup:

[MikeW]

14. so the train only goes 2.2 miles? or is that just the tunnel

if its only 2.2 miles what good is that?

[Kaleko]

18. It is just the tunnel that is 2.1 miles long.

There's another article about how much electricity is generated and a video of the tunnel here:

http://www.crazyengineers.com/solar-powered-train-tunnel-goes-live-in-belgium-457/

[suffragette]

15. Innovation, new industries, jobs

and tranportation solutions.

And all of that sustainable.
That's the direction we should be taking.

[Distant Observer]

16. Similar proposal for Ultra-light rail in Silicon Valley has been starved for State and Federal funds

over the past 10 years.

5 years ago I was involved in a fully solar-powered deployment plan but it is amazingly hard to get significant commitment to true innovation in mass transit in the US. It is easier to get billions spent of re-paving highways.

[hedgehog]

17. Yeah - but have any of their politicians been caught in a stupid sex scandal lately?

USA! USA!