Search Results (8)

Peak shaving is one of the key mechanisms implemented in technically advanced power grids, including rail networks, to reduce the demand for costly power generation during peak hours. Energy storage systems are commonly used for this purpose. This article presents an analysis of peak load reduction using energy storage considering the specifics of the energy operation of the railway network. Two methods of peak shaving are proposed: a variable threshold value and a constant threshold value. The choice of one of them depends on the relationship between the frequency of occurrence of peak loads on the railway line and the charging time of the energy storage system. An innovative predictive analysis of the temporal characteristics of the railway line load was carried out to determine the likelihood of a peak load occurring during the charging of the energy storage system. The Poisson distribution and Long Short-Term Memory method were used to accomplish this task. The first experiment in Poland on peak shaving using a large-scale energy storage system is presented. It was also one of the first high-power installations of this type in the world to directly cooperate with a 3 kV DC traction network. Full article

This paper proposes the sizing optimization method and energy management strategy for a stationary hybrid energy storage system dedicated to a DC traction power supply system. The hybrid energy storage system consists of two modules—a supercapacitor, mainly dedicated to regenerative energy utilization, and a Li-ion battery, aimed to peak power reduction. The sizing method and energy management strategy proposed in this paper aim to reduce the aging effect of lithium-ion batteries. It is shown that the parameters of both modules could be sized independently. The supercapacitor module parameters are sized based on the results of a simulation determining the regenerative power, resulting in limited catenary receptivity. The simulation model of the DC electrification system is validated by comparing the results of the simulation with the measurements of 15 min average power in a 24 h cycle as average values of one year. The battery module is sized based on the statistical data of 15 min substation power value occurrences. The battery energy capacity, its maximum discharge C-rate, and the conditions determining its operation are optimized to achieve the maximum ratio of annual income resulting from peak power reduction to annual operating cost resulting from the battery aging process and total life cycle. The case study prepared for a typical 3 kV DC substation with mixed railway traffic shows that peak power could be reduced by ~1 MW, giving a ~10-year payback period for battery module installation, while the energy consumption could be decreased by 1.9 MWh/24 h, giving a ~7.5-year payback period for supercapacitor module installation. The payback period of the whole energy storage system (ESS) is ~8.4 years. Full article

This paper presents the findings of the research aimed at developing computer models to determine the operating conditions in electric power systems (EPSs) feeding DC and AC railway substations. The object of the research is an EPS with a predominant traction load whose high-voltage power lines are connected to transformer and converter substations with 3 kV and 27.5 kV traction networks. The supply network includes 110 kV and 220 kV power lines. The EPS operating parameters are calculated based on the decomposition of the system into alternating and direct current segments. Calculations are performed for the fundamental frequency and high harmonic frequencies. The modeling technique is universal and can be used to determine the operating parameters and power quality indices for any configuration of an EPS and various designs of traction networks. With this technique, one can solve numerous additional problems, such as calculating the processes of ice melting in traction networks and power lines, determining electromagnetic field strengths, and assessing the heating of power line wires and catenary suspensions. The results obtained show that the voltages on the current collectors are within acceptable limits for all AC and DC electric locomotives. The levels of asymmetry on the 110 and 220 kV tires of traction substations (TP) do not exceed the normally permissible values. The values of the asymmetry coefficients for DC TP are tenths of a percent. With an increase in the size of traffic and in post-emergency conditions caused by the disconnection of communication between one of the support substations and the EPS, the asymmetry indicators on the 220 kV buses of AC substations may exceed the permissible limits. Phase-controlled reactive power sources can be used to reduce them. The analysis of the results of the determination of non-sinusoidal modes allows us to formulate the conclusion that the values of harmonic distortion go beyond the normative limits. Passive and active filters of higher harmonics can be used to normalize them. Calculations of thermal modes of traction transformers show that the temperatures of the most heated points do not exceed acceptable values. Full article

Trends in the use of renewable energy sources to power buildings do not bypass objects for which maintaining a power supply is critical. This also applies to railway signal boxes. The aim of the research work was to test the multisource power supply system for a railway signal box with power electronic converter systems and a DC bus, built as part of the research project. The assumption for powering the railway signal box building was to use renewable sources, energy storage devices, and a 3 kV DC traction network as the second required power supply grid. Both power grids were connected by power electronic converters, and the power values of the converters were set based on the calculated power balance values using the values measured at the system nodes and the set constraints. The tests primarily tested the response of the power supply system to changes in load power and power generated by the photovoltaic source, as well as the charge level of the energy storage devices. The correctness of the control algorithm’s operation was assessed based on the recorded power values in the power supply system nodes. The tests were carried out for 60 scenarios that covered all normal and emergency operating conditions. During the tests, delays in response to changes in the power supplied to the converters and the values of circular power flow between the power grid connections were recorded. The recorded delays ranged from 2 to about 50 s and the circular power flows did not exceed 1500 W. Based on the results of the tests, it was found necessary to improve the power measurement system in the power supply system nodes and to improve the quality of communication and the transmission time of measurement data transmission time. Full article

This paper presents a conception of 3 kV DC traction power system based on distribution sources, as an alternative to traditional traction substation. The system consists of supplying modules (SM) installed along the electrified railway line, the distance between adjacent SMs are much shorter, than between traditional traction substations in 3 kV system. Each SM consists of energy storage system (ESS), and could be charged from adjacent, traditional traction substation via catenary, via medium voltage supplying lines, renewable power sources or by energy recuperation. In the article, the main parameters of the proposed supplying system operation have been compared with parameters of the system with traditional traction substation. For this purpose, in a case study, comparison analysis has been carried out for energy losses in catenary, 15-min peak power demand as well as the cost of the system installation. At the end, the reliability analysis has been carried out for proposed distribution power supply system and for traditional one. Full article

The regenerative braking of railway vehicles is widely used in DC railway systems all over the world. This mode of operation provides an opportunity to reuse part of the energy consumed by vehicles, and makes the railway system more energy efficient. During regenerative braking, not only energy management is an issue, but also Electromagnetic Compatibility EMC issues, such as interference of generated current harmonics with a railway signaling system. In this paper, the selective harmonic elimination modulation technique (SHE-PWM) was introduced to the traction drive with a three-level inverter to reduce specific catenary current harmonics generated during regenerative braking. The simulation model of a traction drive appropriate for harmonics analysis was proposed and verified by the measurements in the low-power laboratory drive system. The model was re-scaled to the 3 kV DC system for further study. The model of an induction motor with electromotive force and the method of its calculation was proposed. Furthermore, an analysis of the braking chopper operation was carried out. The asymmetric control of braking chopper was proposed to reduce the current harmonics below limits during chopper operation. Full article

The design of rolling stock plays a key role in the attractiveness of the rail transport. Train design must strictly meet the requirements of rail operators to ensure high quality and cost-effective services. Semiconductor power devices made from silicon carbide (SiC) have reached a level of technology enabling their widespread use in traction power converters. SiC transistors offering energy savings, quieter operation, improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs have become the choice for the next-generation railway power converters and are quickly replacing the IGBT technology which has been used for decades. The paper describes the design and development of a novel SiC-based DC power electronic traction transformer (PETT) intended for electric multiple units (EMUs) operated in 3 kV DC rail traction. The details related to the 0.5 MVA peak power medium voltage prototype, including the electrical design of the main building blocks are presented in the first part of the paper. The second part deals with the implementation of the developed SiC-based DC PETT into a regional train operating on a 3 kV DC traction system. The experimental results obtained during the testing are presented to demonstrate the performance of the developed 3 kV DC PETT prototype. Full article

The objective of this paper involves the analysis, identification and evaluation of different possibilities offered by technology for the improvement and the management of the use of energy and hybridization in railways: On board generation, demand response and energy storage, both in traction and auxiliary loads, considering the aggregation of resources and its stochastic nature. The paper takes into account the importance of efficient use of energy in railways, both currently (trains in service, prototypes) and in the future, considering the trends driven by energy policy scenarios (2030–2050) that will affect service and operation of units during their lifetime. A new activity has been considered that will be relevant in the future in the framework of a new electricity supply paradigm: Smart-Grids. According to this paradigm, the interaction of the Electric Power System and the Railway Supply System (somehow embedded in the Power System) will bring new opportunities for the collaboration of these two systems to perform, in a wise economic fashion, a better and more reliable operation of the complete energy system. The paper is focused on a mixed profile with low-medium traffic (passenger and freight): The first part of the route is electrified (3 kV DC catenary) whereas the second part is not electrified. Results justify that complex policies and objectives bring an opportunity to make cost-effective the hybridization of railway units, especially in low/medium traffic lines, which improves their social and economic sustainability. Full article