Joyous Africans Take to the Rails, with China’s Help

Re:Joyous Africans Take to the Rails, with China’s Help by Gibbon1 on Wednesday February 08, 2017 @07:58PM (#13603701)

Hard to say exactly, but it's not crazy. But I doubt the difference is that large.

Diesel engines for locomotives are likely 40% efficient before accounting for the motor-generator section. A modern a coal fired power plant might be 40-45% efficient. So probably the same based on raw thermal numbers.

I suspect economically the electrification is a win.

Also over the future it's possible to run the electrified trains on electric power from greener sources, like solar and wind. Where diesel would require a big upgrade.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Joyous Africans Take to the Rails, with China’s Help by toast0 on Wednesday February 08, 2017 @10:48PM (#13604522)

An electric train may require less energy because it doesn't need to move the engine along the track.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Joyous Africans Take to the Rails, with China’s Help by Zach_the_Lizard on Thursday February 09, 2017 @08:21AM (#13606687)

It also doesn't need to move the fuel it needs, either. Plus if cleaner fuel becomes available, it can switch as soon as it's hooked to the grid.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Joyous Africans Take to the Rails, with China’s Help by Symbiote on Thursday February 09, 2017 @02:51AM (#13605367)

Correct. They can also return energy when braking, although it usually helps to have a decent density of trains running at the same time.

[ Parent | on HN ]