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Ride DOST's Hybrid Electric Train for Free

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 12:00 AM    Views : 467by:Luis Reginaldo Medilo
DOST Hybrid Electric Train
 
 

Trains are a major part of the national transportation system, as evidenced by the millions of commuters who ride the Metro Manila Rail Transit. There are also ambitious plans for a subway that will be operational in 2025. Despite the increasing affordability of motor vehicles, many Filipinos still prefer to ride trains, partly due to the worsening traffic conditions in the metropolis.

It’s true that Filipinos have a fascinating love-hate affair with trains in general, but if you are interested in a different kind of locomotive, then you might want to check out the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) project of the Department of Science and Technology.

Developed by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of the DOST, the Hybrid Electric Train is the first Filipino-made train and uses the same technology behind the Toyota Prius hybrid cars. The train has five coaches that can accommodate a total of 880 passengers. More energy efficient than diesel-powered trains, the HET can run at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

The HET is fully air-conditioned, so passengers can enjoy comfortable rides even under the scorching heat of the sun, and is equipped with a CCTV system, LED TV sets and automatic sliding doors.

According to DOST engineering team head Paolo Acuin, the HET features a diesel-powered generator, an electric motor, a bank of electrical batteries, and regenerative braking technology. Regenerative braking means that the kinetic energy generated during stops is stored in 260 lead-acid batteries, which can then be used to power the train’s engines and electronic components.

The Hybrid Electric Train took five years to develop at a cost of ?120 million, which is far less than the Indonesian-made trains that the DOST bought for ?2.3 billion.

For 19 days, from May 6 until May 24, you can experience what it’s like to ride the DOST’s Hybrid Electric Train. The Philippine National Railways, which will be the HET’s operator, is required to complete 150 hours of run time as part of the turnover process. The HET will ply the Alabang-Biñan route.

Source: https://techpilipinas.com/ride-dosts-hybrid-electric-train-free/

S & T Trivia

" Two Filipino inventors scored a pair of gold medals in the International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2000) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in September 2000. Engr. Cornelio Seño of Los Banos, Laguna and Rolando dela Cruz garnered golds for their inventions called, respectively, "Pressure Fluid Machine" and "Topical Formulation in Removing Warts, Moles and the Like Using Cashew Nuts (Annacardium occidentale)." Dela Cruz spent 25 years of research for his winning cashew nut preparation known as Dewart and Demole. Seno has four US and four Philippine patents under his name. "

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