REDUCTION OF PEAK-POWER DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Rail transit managers will find this report useful in assessing operation of their electrified systems. Energy cost reduction guidelines contain step-by-step procedures for energy load management by reducing peak power demand. Factors contributing to peak power demand were identifited, energy use patterns were identified, and policies were examined. Data was collected and analyzed for four transit agencies so that the sensitivity of factors influencing power demand could be determined by using the Energy Management Model (EMM), a series of computer simulation programs. General findings were: (1) Reduction of peak-power demand in electric rate structures can be cost effective for transit agencies; (2) Costs and benefits of load management are site-specific; (3) Load management should be part of an overall energy management effort. Vehicle-performance modifications such as top-speed limits and coasting can produce immediate savings. More sophisticated strategies may be desirable for optimum cost reduction. As load management reduces peak demand, utility cost allocations are shifted to other customers and careful negotiation will be necessary to avoid higher rates in future years.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/nctrp/rpt3/rpt3.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07324839
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Uher, R A
  • SATHI, N
• Publication Date: 1983-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 142 p.
• Serial:
  • NCTRP Report
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0732-4839

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Cost control; Demand; Electric power supply; Energy conservation; Light rail transit; Operating costs; Peak periods; Public utilities; Rapid transit; Simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Utilities
• Old TRIS Terms: Electric power demand; Operating strategies
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382581
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 30 1988 12:00AM