Feasibility study on wind energy harvesting system implementation in moving trains

Feasibility study on implementing wind energy harvesting system on moving train is discussed in this study. Wind turbines installation over the train roof is suggested and analyzed from different aspects. Practical aspects of wind energy utilization are discussed, and challenges are highlighted. Calculations of wind power generation for wagon roof mounted turbine are provided, and air drag of turbine is discussed. Simulation study is performed in SolidWorks environment to explore air drag influence of wind turbines on moving train. Analytically, the generated power is compared to mechanical power required to overcome the extra air drag caused by wind turbines over the train wagons. Wind power generation over the train wagon is discussed and simulated. Economical profit of the suggested design is also discussed in detail. The fuel economy and resultant decrease of the carbon dioxide emission have shown the reasonableness of investments on wind turbine implementation on the passenger trains. The payback period calculations for different scenarios are also discussed at the end.