As concerns of global warming keep growing by the day, efforts are on all over the world by countries to keep greenhouse gas emissions in check and reduce pollution levels. Mitigating the effects of climate change involves economical and efficient use of energy.
A political agreement was struck by world leaders at the 2009 UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, where a number of countries pledged to cut down emissions and reduce their carbon footprint. One of the key decisions taken at this conference was to limit global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius. Achieving these ambitious objectives requires collective efforts of organizations and individuals from across the world.
Curbing emissions from transport systems can go a long way in reducing the effects of climate change. Keeping this in mind, GE Transportation has developed, at its facilities located overseas, Evolution Series locomotives. These locomotives are powered by Evolution Engine technology, a line of diesel engines including a 12 cylinder diesel engine rated at 4500 HP and a 16 cylinder diesel engine rated at 6000 HP. These engines have been designed to meet all the existing and future emissions standards.
Evolution Series
The Evolution Series was developed as part of Ecomagination i.e. GE’s commitment to manufacture products that have less harmful impact on the environment and, at the same time, are economically viable. The Evolution Series engine is a 12-cylinder diesel engine, whose performance is the same as its 16-cylinder predecessor and that too by consuming lesser fuel. If its fuel efficiency is to be represented in numbers, this engine uses up to 5% less fuel during its lifetime. What’s more is that the Evolution Series engine reduces pollution by more than 70% fewer particulates and 60% fewer nitrogen oxide emissions.
These engines also help countries reduce their carbon footprints given that they adhere to the most stringent emission standards including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 3 and EU IIIa. They reduce emissions by more than 40% as compared to earlier GE Transportation models.
Evolution Series locomotives are designed in such a way that their performance is optimum and maintenance cost is low. The result of a 10-year and a $400 million investment by GE Transportation, the Evolution Series is an incredible combination of power, performance and efficiency. It was introduced in 2005 and has been evolving ever since.
Powering the world
Built on a forward-looking and flexible global platform, more than 6,500 Evolution Series engines are in use in 10 countries.
-- In Australia, these engines power the energy-intensive mining industry.-- The Evolution Series engine is used by Egyptian National Railway (ENR) to transport freight and passengers. These engines provide best-in-class fuel efficiency and significantly reduce ENR’s fuel consumption.-- In Kazakhstan, these engines are helping to modernize the country’s rail infrastructure, diversify its economy and strengthen its manufacturing industry.-- In North America, the Evolution Series model transports raw materials, finished goods, coal, grain and commodities on the continent’s vast and diverse rail network.-- China and Mongolia too use such locomotives.-- A key feature of the Evolution Series is its adaptability. For instance, in Brazil, in order to comply with the country’s renewable energy regulations, this locomotive was modified to run on biodiesel.
The way ahead
With reduced emissions and consequently lesser carbon footprint, the Evolution Series engines are remarkably environment-friendly. Not to mention, their fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs also make them a worthy investment.
As mentioned above, already in use in 10 countries, in over 6500 locomotives, such engines are the future of transport systems around the world.
To know more about GE Evolution Series Locomotives, click here
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