Surat, known as cleanliness, solar energy and smart cities, is now going to set an example to the country with another major achievement. Surat Municipal Corporation has set up the country’s first solar energy -powered smart bus station in Althan area at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore.
This high-tech bus station is equipped with Wi-Fi, mobile charging and modern lighting facilities and will also provide the facility of 24×7 green charging system for electric buses.
Bus station will be an example of energy efficiency
There is a lot of progress towards green energy and sustainable infrastructure across the country and across the state. The project, prepared in collaboration with Surat Municipal Corporation and German organization GIZ (Deutche Geselshaft Fur International Jusmenarbete), will also provide facilities like Wi-Fi and lighting for buses. Along with this, 24*7 green charging facility will also be available through Rooftop Solar Power Plant and Second Life Battery Storage System.
Prakash Pandya, Executive Engineer of Light and Energy Efficiency Cell, informed that the solar energy generated during the day is stored in a second life battery, which is used at night to charge electric buses. This makes it possible to save glorious energy and green charging.
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1 lakh units of electricity will be generated annually
Giving more information about this, Prakash Pandya, Executive Engineer of Light and Energy Efficiency Cell, said that a 100 kW capacity rooftop solar power plant and 224 kWh capacity battery energy storage system (BESS) have been set up at the country’s first solar -based electric bus depot in Althan area of ​​Surat. The project, built at an estimated cost of Rs 1.60 crore, has been fully implemented in collaboration with the German aid organization GIZ.
He further said, “Under this project, the electricity generated from solar energy during the day is stored in a second life battery. It is used to charge electric buses at night. This has reduced the load on the grid and more use of renewable energy is possible.” Explaining the main attraction of this project, he said that about 1 lakh units of electricity will be generated annually from the electric bus depot and will save about 6.65 lakh rupees.
Prakash Pandya said that the currently used batteries are being reused. There is an attempt to make them more resistant by reusing them. Therefore, this project will prove to be an ideal for the whole country. This project will be an important link towards achieving the goals of Net Xero Energy and Santha Energy by Surat Municipal Corporation.
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Steps towards net zero and sustainability
The batteries used in this project have been reused, which not only reduces the cost but is also environmentally friendly. This project is being considered a strong step towards the Net Zero Energy and Santha Energy Goal of Surat Municipal Corporation.