Head-on Winds and High-Speed Trains

NAVINKZ wrote: "why cannot we utilize the power of wind gushing towards it when it moves, for the lighting or air conditioning of the train"...

I think you will just increase the drag of the train, thereby requiring more electrical energy to propel it at the high speed... So, what would you gain? Nothing, I think.

In fact generating power for lighting and a/c in this roundabout way, with inevitable losses, may cost you more energy than when you use the primary electricity straight to do these jobs.

Using the energy released during braking for other jobs is a more positive practice.

I agree with Jorrie...

However the emergancy electrical backup on the older aircraft (turboprop days) was a little propellor that could be positioned outside to turn a small generator.

However, as was said any energy it generated would be surpassed by the extra energy that was needed to overcome the drag.

John.

Wasn't that little propeller/generator reserved for generating electrical power when the main power plant (the turboprop and its generator) became disabled for some reason? Seems to me you wouldn't use them together.

Yes Guest, that's why I said it was an emergency generator i.e. it would only be used if there were electrical problems from the main generator.

Perhaps the design to give slight lift similar to aircraft lift may do some good unless it puts the train out of the track. This is also now tried in all formula one cars to have best aerodynamics. Even bicycle riders do the same thing. There is no gain is using the power other than breaking power as that is a bit wastage. Perhaps that is too small a fraction it otherwise uses.

Hence, I agree with Jorrie on that point.