An environmental simulation model for the assessment of solar energy use in Cairo’s rapid transit networks

Abstract

Cairo’s rapid transit networks are one of the main electrical transport means in the city that depend mainly on the traditional sources of energy. According to the energy and environmental world crisis, the research examines the potential use of regional solar energy by covering the first of Cairo’s rapid transit networks with the solar system to substitute the traditional one. A three phase simulation modelling is proposed. The first phase is the ideal solar system (ISS) for evaluating the feasibility and efficiency of using the solar system. The second one is the solar energy reduction simulation model (SERSM) to be applied for the urban and environmental conditions. The proposed SERSM simulates the shadow cast within the environmental conditions on Cairo’s rapid transit line representing the urban conditions according to the track aspect ratio. The third one conducts a detailed field survey for an action area for validating phase two results of solar energy reduction. The research shows the potentiality and the feasibility of using solar energy to substitute a portion of the used traditional energy sources of the rapid transit line, where a 34.5 km length can be covered. It is expected to produce about 7500 MWH monthly, equivalent to 50–60% of the electrical consumption of the line.