An environmental, financial and economic analysis of introducing biodiesel to locomotives: An Indian Railways case study

There are concerns about the increasing rate of global warming with the main cause being the combustion of fossil fuels. The transport sector is the second largest user of fossil fuels after electricity generation and power. The demand for fossil fuels is ever-increasing and this is not sustainable. Not only is it contributing to global warming through the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), but also through the emitting of pollutants that are affecting our health. There is a strong link between energy use and economic growth. Emerging economies such as India and China are experiencing high levels of economic growth and therefore using increasing levels of fossil fuels. India has recognised that continuing to use fossil fuels at these increasing rates is unsustainable. As with many countries, India has committed to using fewer fossil fuels, and this includes Indian Railways. Indian Railways is exploring alternatives to using diesel. This includes the use of biodiesel. At present they are using biodiesel which has been produced from imported Malaysian palm stearin. It may, however, be more beneficial to use a feedstock that has been cultivated in India, such as jatropha. Environmental, financial, and economic analyses can be used to estimate the differences between them. Another alternative that India is pursuing is the electrification of the network. This thesis along with other studies shows that there are huge benefits to electrification both environmentally and economically. However, when infrastructure costs are included for electric traction this shifts the viability from electric traction to biodiesel. The density of traffic on the network affects the feasibility of electric traction, making it more economical than biodiesel even when infrastructure costs are included. Therefore, electric traction does have many benefits compared to diesel and biodiesel, but infrastructure costs are high and hence electric traction may be appropriate for certain parts of the network i.e. routes with a higher density of traffic.