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#Switzerland

Global News

Full Steam Ahead: Switzerland's World-First 'Smart Track' to Harness Solar Energy Between Railway Tracks

Switzerland is set to become the first country in the world to install solar panels between railway tracks. This innovative project aims to harness the power of the sun to provide renewable energy for the country's railway system. The startup called Sun-Ways is waiting for a sign-off from the Federal Office of Transport to start installing their panels between the tracks near Buttes Station in the west of the country. It consists of a series of solar panels that will be installed between the tracks, utilizing the space that is currently unused. The panels will be connected to the electricity grid and will provide power for the trains as well as for nearby communities. The project is part of a broader effort to transition Switzerland's transportation system to renewable energy sources, reducing the country's carbon footprint and promoting sustainability. With the Swiss national railway network stretching beyond 2,000 miles of track, estimates place the amount of power generation at potentially beyond 1 terawatt hour or 2% of the entire gross annual consumption The project is a testament to Switzerland's commitment to sustainability and innovation, and it offers hope for a more sustainable future for all. By harnessing the power of the sun and utilizing unused space, Sun-Ways demonstrates the potential for creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

29 Mar 2023
Global News

Scientists Make a Major Breakthrough As Super Laser Diverts Lightning Bolt

Did you know that a lightning bolt carries a charge that is so powerful that it can reach 30,000C, or nearly five times the temperature of the sun's surface? Each year, more than a billion bolts of lightning strike Earth, resulting in thousands of deaths, ten times as many injuries and tens of billions of dollars in damage. Therefore it comes as a major breakthrough as scientists for the first time have been able to successfully steer lightning with super lasers. This was demonstrated during a series of intense storms at the peak of a Swiss mountain. The achievement paves the way for laser-based lightning protection systems at airports, launchpads, and tall buildings.  In a paper published in the journal Nature Photonics, Swiss researchers Aurélien Houard and colleagues describe how they transported a potent laser to the summit of the Säntis mountain in northeastern Switzerland and set it up next to a 124-meter telecom tower that experiences lightning strikes about 100 times per year.  Between July and September of last year, the scientists waited for storms to form and fired a total of more than six hours' worth of rapid laser pulses at thunderclouds. Four upward lightning discharges were deflected by the laser during the duration of the experiment, evident from the data in the equipment used to record lightning strikes.

20 Jan 2023
Global News

Learn More About the Longest Passenger Train in the World!

Switzerland recently claimed a world record - for the world’s longest passenger train. The world's longest passenger train is owned by the Rhaetian Railway business in Switzerland. According to a report from the Associated Press, the train traveled 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) along the Albula/Bernina route from Preda to Bergün. The train traveled through one of the most spectacular tracks in the Alps, along the picturesque route, which is noted for its 48 bridges and 22 tunnels, many of which pass through mountains. It is one of the most beautiful pathways and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Rail aficionados watched the 25 sections of the train go 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) through the Alps while they were present in the valley to watch the splendid sight of the long train maneuvering through the mountains. In a little more than an hour, the entire trip was finished. Renato Fasciati, director of the Rhaetian Railway Company, stated that the record was intended to highlight some of Switzerland's engineering accomplishments and commemorate 175 years of Swiss railroads. The Director told the local media, "For me, this is just Swiss perfection." The company declared that it had beaten the  Guinness World Record for the longest passenger train after the journey.  

8 Nov 2022
Global News

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