Paris and Amsterdam linked now by a solar-powered rail tunnel
Many people like to travel by train. Moreover, train traveling may be cheaper than other means of transportation, even between cities from different countries.
Starting Monday, Paris and Amsterdam are linked by a solar-powered rail tunnel, a project by Enfinity, a Belgian energy group, taking green wave further than many expected.
According to Agence France Presse, at a cost of 15.6 million euros, project managers say the 3.6-kilometre tunnel crossing Antwerp, in northern Belgium, is fitted with 16,000 solar panels covering 50,000 square metres, roughly eight football pitches.
The panels produce 3,300 megawatts per hour of electricity, or the average annual consumption of nearly 1,000 families.
What’s also interesting is that the tunnel will power not only high-speed and slower inter-city rail links but will also provide enough electricity to charge the train station (info via Daily Mail).
The impact on the environment is one on a long term, as we can read in the same article: “As well as the extra energy generated, 47.3 million kilograms of CO2 emissions will be stopped from entering the atmosphere over the next 20 years, helping to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.”.
I’m sure many will travel at first to see how the solar powered train goes, but afterwards this railroad will be used successfully since it links two important cities and countries. If I’ll get there, I’ll also like to try a trip with this eco-friendly train :). How about you?
