Smarter power supplies improve train efficiency

Reducing vehicle mass has been identified as a key approach to increasing the energy efficiency of rolling stock. A significant amount of the energy used for rolling stock is retained in the vehicle in the form of kinetic energy. The lower the mass of a vehicle, the lower its kinetic energy at the same speed. There are two main strategies for reducing vehicle mass, which also apply to the auxiliary power supply: component-based mass reduction and system-based mass reduction. The component-based mass reduction system is illustrated by the new trains manufactured by Siemens for the Kaohsiung metro in Taiwan in which the main transformer of the auxiliary power supply was replaced by medium-frequency transformers. Active redundancy and decentralisation have been used to improve efficiency on the Alstom Coradia Liex EMU for Stockholm, Sweden.

• Authors:
  • WIMMER, D
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 12-4
• Serial:
  • EUROPEAN RAIL OUTLOOK
  • Issue Number: Summer
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy; Railroad trains; Rolling stock; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases; Efficiency
• ITRD Terms: 9009: Decrease; 5911: Efficiency; 213: Energy; 1266: Rolling stock; 1268: Train; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Energy; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01076126
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 18 2007 9:56AM