Renewable energy efficiency by railway transit. Case study on Rebaudengo railway tunnel in Turin

ABSTRACT The energy needs of our planet grow steadily. It is therefore important to identify solutions for saving and optimizing natural resources used for energy production. Traditional renewable energies (photovoltaic, wind, etc.) are not sufficient to meet demand and should be distributed homogeneously across the territory in order to avoid losses and difficulties in use. The present study focuses on another source of wind energy: the exploitation of fluid dynamics generated by the movement of trains in tunnels. The study aims at preparing a technical appraisal and an economic feasibility evaluation. The experimental analysis applied to a railroad has demonstrated that renewable energy can also be produced in transport infrastructures while, without installed technologies, this energy source is unnecessarily unused and lost. The results show that wind energy can be obtained without creating a negative impact on the landscape and on views, by exploiting unforeseen sources of production.