POWER SUPPLIES FOR RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION AND GENERAL USE IN A REMOTE AREA
The Pilbara area of Western Australia has four railways which are used for the haulage of iron ore from mines to ports. These railways are described, and their potential for conversion from diesel to electric traction is assessed together with the associated requirements for power supplies. Previous studies of electrification of the Pilbara railways have usually not considered the lack of suitable power supplies in the area and the consequent cost of their provision. They have also not taken account of the likely availability of natural gas in the Dampier area by about 1985, and the probable cost differential between natural gas and diesel fuel. An economic comparison of two alternative schemes shows that conversion from diesel to electric traction will only be justified if the general loads in the inland areas as well as the railways are supplied from the transmission system, with power being generated at the coast, utilizing natural gas. However, viability of this scheme will be very dependent on the cost of capital, and the price difference between gas and diesel fuel.
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Supplemental Notes:
- National Conference Publication of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, n 79/2, Electric Energy Conference, Preprint of Papers, Brisbane, Australia, May 17-18, 1979.
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Corporate Authors:
Institution of Engineers
11 National Circuit
Barton, A.C.T., Australia -
Authors:
- Adam, C P
- Nutter, J L
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 1979
Media Info
- Features: References;
- Pagination: p. 93-101
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Electric power generation; Electric power transmission; Energy resources; Financial capital; Planning; Railroad electrification; Unit trains
- Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
- Geographic Terms: Australia
- Old TRIS Terms: Heavy haul railways
- Subject Areas: Energy; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00311070
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Engineering Index
- Report/Paper Numbers: Conf Paper
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jun 9 1980 12:00AM