The solar power plant is built in a warehouse located on the roof of the Pendolino Hall. The power plant consists of 2264 solar panels and is one of the largest plants in Finland. The amount of electricity produced per year is equal to the electricity consumption of about 40 electrically heated single-family homes, or alternatively you can use the same amount of energy when driving an electric car about 100 times around the world. The electricity received from the power plant is used for the maintenance of Pendolino trains and covers about 25% of the hall’s annual electricity demand. On a sunny day, the power plant’s output exceeds the hall’s consumption, which means that the production is utilized elsewhere in the train depot.
Affordable and clean energy
The introduction of solar energy is part of VR FleetCare’s broader energy efficiency project. For example, the project looks at less water-consuming smelting solutions and optimizing the energy efficiency of our own operations.
“In line with our vision, we are on our way to becoming the best in the world. In addition to particularly important environmental values, the construction of a solar power plant is also an economically viable project for us. After a one-off investment, the energy produced by the plant is virtually free. In the longer term, the total annual radiation of the sun will vary only slightly, which means that even with the investment cost, the price of energy produced will remain locked far into the future. ” Juha Ohvo, VR FleetCare Safety Director.
The goal is to increase the Group’s own energy production
Rail transport has a key role to play in combating climate change. Initially, rail transport emits less emissions and consumes less energy than other modes of transport. Electricity produced with renewable energy has been used in VR traffic for a long time and largely. While train tourism is carbon neutral, we are committed to doing even more for the environment.
– It was interesting to lead the first photovoltaic project, which was implemented for the VR Group and especially for the maintenance company VR FleetCare. The solar power plant is one of the flagship projects of our responsibility program, and increasing renewable energy is also in line with Finland’s energy and climate goals, “says Martti Jalkanen who is the site energy expert and maintenance manager and who acted as project manager in the plan project. In the future, photovoltaic systems could also be built elsewhere in VR Group’s properties, as there are many uncovered roof surfaces. We have increased the use of renewable energy in properties by switching from oil heating to geothermal heat in many locations. There are still significant opportunities for using heat pumps, ”Jalkanen continues.
The Helsinki depot’s solar power plant was built by Solnet Finland, which has been a supplier to many large power plant projects.
“It’s great that the big players are leading the way in renewable energy production. We also thank VR Group for their excellent cooperation during the project. The project management was professional from start to finish and our goal of achieving common success was very successful,” says Veli-Matti Heimonen.
Heimonen continues: “It is also great that VR paid special attention to safety in system design. The solar power plant has automation and current optimization devices that ensure that the system voltage can be reduced to a safe level, even from the roof, if necessary. This was also a request from the rescue service when the system was designed. “
Source: VR Group
HT