Kolkata Metro Launches Battery Energy Storage System on Blue Line

Metro Railway Kolkata has launched a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the underground portion of its Blue Line. The move is aimed at improving energy efficiency and ensuring commuter safety during unexpected power outages.

Enhancing Underground Operations

The underground segment of the Blue Line extends 17 km, connecting Dumdum and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge). The entire corridor stretches 27 km, with the Dakshineswar-Dumdum and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar-Sahid Khudiram stretches running on elevated tracks.

Subransu Sekhar Mishra, General Manager of Metro Railway Kolkata, explained the system’s utility.

"The back-up application will haul passenger-loaded trains in case of any power outage and take the rake to the nearest station for safe evacuation of passengers," Mishra said.

He further noted, "Also, if there is a power outage, the tunnel ventilation control system will continue to function, and commuters will not face suffocation."

Technical Details of the BESS

The 6.4 MWh BESS, installed at the Central sub-station, is India’s first microgrid system implemented at a metro station. It consists of 88 racks, each equipped with an integrated fire suppression system.

Mishra described the project as an initial phase following a successful trial the previous day. "It is a starting phase, and we will slowly proliferate it," he said.

Regarding future upgrades, he added, "We wish to add another power converter component in this BESS so that it can also absorb excess regenerative energy which could not be utilised in the absence of a Metro rake being in the accelerative mode."

Collaboration with Industry Experts

Niranjan Nayak, Managing Director of Delta Electronics India, which developed the power converter, stated, "The BESS is capable of transmitting auxiliary power and running any train in the entire tunnel section from Dumdum to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar."

He added, "The deployment of BESS will provide energy-efficient power solutions in the Blue Line as part of our commitment to provide critical public infrastructure across India." Delta Electronics India is a leading provider of power management and smart green solutions.