In comparison to the principal alternative, the diesel engine, electric railways offer substantially better energy efficiency, lower emissions and lower operating costs. Electric locomotives are usually quieter, more powerful, and more responsive and reliable than diesels. They have no local emissions, an important advantage in tunnels and urban areas. Some electric traction systems provide regenerative braking that turns the train's kinetic energy back into electricity and returns it to the supply system to be used by other trains or the general utility grid. While diesel locomotives burn petroleum, electricity is generated from diverse sources including many that do not produce carbon dioxide such as nuclear power and renewable forms including hydroelectric, geothermal, wind and solar. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the principal alternative to electric railways? ANS1 diesel engine QSN2 What locomotives are usually more reliable? ANS2 Electric locomotives QSN3 What do some electric traction systems provide? ANS3 regenerative braking QSN4 What type of fuel do diesel locomotives use? ANS4 petroleum QSN5 What is one of the sources electricity is being generated from? ANS5 geothermal