2 weeks ago
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A survey by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has recovered that Bengaluru’s upcoming Namma Metro Blue Line tin perchance run wholly connected star vigor connected a nett yearly basis, utilizing lone onshore and infrastructure already owned by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
The study, titled ‘Assessing the Potential of Directly Using Solar Power to Run the Operations of Blue Line of Namma Metro’, was conducted by the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab successful collaboration with BMRCL and supported by HSBC nether its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. According to the report, the astir 55-km Blue Line corridor connecting Central Silk Board and Kempegowda International Airport nether Metro Phases 2A and 2B tin execute afloat yearly vigor self-sufficiency done large-scale star photovoltaic (PV) integration.
The researchers said that the task represents the archetypal corridor-scale techno-economic investigation successful India examining nonstop integration of star powerfulness into a metro obstruction traction system. The study has already been submitted to BMRCL for consideration.
The survey was led by Prof. Ashish Verma of IISc’s Department of Civil Engineering, on with a squad of researchers from aggregate departments. Conducted betwixt August 2025 and March 2026, the probe included modelling of the Blue Line’s traction powerfulness requirements, star assets mapping crossed BMRCL properties, and investigation of bid operations nether antithetic scenarios.
According to the findings, an installed star capableness of 83.3 MWp would beryllium capable to conscionable the corridor’s yearly vigor request of 152 GWh nether full-scale operations involving 21 trains moving astatine two-minute intervals. Researchers estimated that BMRCL-owned properties, including presumption rooftops, elevated viaduct parapets, presumption canopies and depot rooftops, tin accommodate betwixt 79 MWp and 89 MWp of star installations.
The study noted that BMRCL could instantly instal up to 30 MWp of rooftop star capableness without making immoderate modifications to the existing traction infrastructure. This unsocial could offset astir 36.5% of the corridor’s yearly energy consumption.
Researchers highlighted presumption rooftops arsenic the astir commercially charismatic starting point. All 30 elevated stations unneurotic connection astir 109,600 quadrate metres of usable rooftop space, susceptible of supporting astir 50,000 star panels with a combined capableness of 29.75 MWp. The estimated concern for this archetypal signifier ranges betwixt ₹48 crore and ₹63 crore, but the survey projects yearly energy savings of ₹36.4 crore from the archetypal twelvemonth itself, with a payback play of little than 2 years.
Second phase
The 2nd signifier proposes extending star infrastructure to viaduct parapets and presumption broadside canopies, expanding the full installed capableness to astir 54 MWp. This signifier is expected to make yearly savings exceeding ₹61 crore, portion cumulative savings implicit the project’s beingness could transverse ₹2,600 crore.
The survey besides underlined the relation of regenerative braking, which tin retrieve astir 29% of traction energy. When combined with rooftop star generation, astir 61% of the Blue Line’s full traction vigor request could beryllium offset.
Apart from fiscal savings, the study emphasised important biology benefits. Phase 1 unsocial could forestall the emanation of much than 44,500 tonnes of c dioxide annually, equivalent to removing astir 19,000 petrol cars from Bengaluru’s roads. Under the expanded Phase 2 scenario, yearly c savings could emergence to astir 77,900 tonnes.
Prof. Ashish Verma said the survey demonstrates that metro obstruction systems tin germinate into net-zero vigor transport systems utilizing their ain carnal infrastructure. He described the Blue Line task arsenic “ready-to-tender infrastructure investment” with semipermanent economical and biology returns, and urged BMRCL and the Karnataka authorities to determination towards aviator implementation without delay.
The study has recommended that BMRCL instantly tender rooftop star installations crossed each 30 stations, undertake structural surveys of depots and viaducts, and statesman regulatory engagement with BESCOM and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission for nett metering approvals.
