Infrabel and Enfinity Put Solar Power on High-Speed Rail Tunnel Rooftop
First-of-a-Kind Solar Power System for European Rail Operator </pre> <p><span class="xn-location">ANTWERP</span>, <span class="xn-location">Belgium</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Oct. 21</span> /CNW/ -- Renewable energy company Enfinity has partnered with rail operator Infrabel to start work on a solar power project on the roof of the high-speed rail tunnel along the E19 highway in <span class="xn-location">Belgium</span>. The solar energy will be used by the trains and station servicing both conventional and high-speed trains, representing a unique application of solar power in <span class="xn-location">Europe</span>.</p> <p/> <p>More than 16,000 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the high-speed rail tunnel stretching just over 2 miles long. The tunnel is primarily used by the high-speed train connecting <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> and <span class="xn-location">Paris</span> via <span class="xn-location">Brussels</span>.</p> <p/> <p>The roof's total surface area is 50,000 m2, roughly equivalent to 8 football fields. The installation should generate an estimated 3.3 MWh of electricity per year.</p> <p/> <p>The installation commenced this summer on the tunnel's northern side. Project completion is scheduled for <span class="xn-chron">December 2010</span>. The total investment budget is <span class="xn-money">$20.1 million</span>.</p> <p/> <p>Infrabel, the Belgian railway infrastructure manager, will use the green energy in the <span class="xn-location">Antwerp</span> North-South junction (including <span class="xn-location">Antwerp</span> Central Station) and to power both conventional and high-speed trains running on the Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris line. With this project Infrabel has re-emphasized its belief in renewable energy as a viable alternative, and complement, to conventional energy sources.</p> <p/> <p>Commenting on the intricacies of the project, Patrick Decuyper, CEO of Enfinity <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> said, "In the months to come, a large technical team will install more than 16,000 monocrystalline solar panels (245 Wp per panel) on the roof with a special ballast tile structure, with no rooftop perforations required. During the installation we naturally take into account roof vibrations that may occur when trains rush through the tunnel."</p> <pre> About Infrabel </pre> <p>Infrabel is responsible for the management, maintenance, renewal and development of the Belgian railway network. The company is also responsible for train routes allocation for all Belgian and foreign operators. Infrabel was established on <span class="xn-chron">1 January 2005</span>, when Belgian Railways was broken up, and is part of the SNCB Group. The company now employs some 12,500 people with a turnover of approximately 1 billion euro (2009).</p> <pre> About Enfinity </pre> <p>Enfinity is an established leader in renewable energy. Enfinity develops, finances, constructs and operates photovoltaic solar and wind energy plants. Besides its own project development, Enfinity sells integrated solar installations to companies and individuals and acts as an EPC contractor. Founded in <span class="xn-location">Belgium</span>, Enfinity has operations and projects across <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and has expanded into <span class="xn-location">North America</span> and Asia-Pacific. For further information visit: <a href="http://www.enfinitycorp.com">www.enfinitycorp.com</a>.</p> <pre>
For further information: For further information: Jan Sisko, Carabiner Communications, +1-678-461-7438, [email protected]; or Vin Staniforth, Enfinity, Marketing Manager Americas, +1-770-670 5811, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.enfinitycorp.com
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