Static frequency converters in heavy haul electric rail, a techno-economical study

Railways throughout the world have for decades used the AC single phase traction system to supply electric trains. The traditional method of supplying the traction network is via feeder stations fed from the transmission network. Harmonic filters are needed at each station to limit the harmonic distortion caused by the locomotives. Static VAr Compensators are also required to correct the unbalance created by the single phase loads. The supply efficiency is poor because load sharing between feeder stations is not possible. A new approach, relying on developments in power electronics, has emerged in recent years with the potential of alleviating these issues while delivering significant savings and enhancing the effectiveness of rail transport. Static Frequency Converters are used throughout Europe and in the US for connecting rail networks with utilities at different frequencies. If correctly synchronized, they can also provide paralleling and thus load sharing between feeder stations. This potentially reduces the number of connections required, and allows the incremental expanding of the traction system, hence improving the traffic growth capacity with significantly reduced costs. They inherently present as balanced loads, free of harmonics caused by the locomotives. This paper presents the findings of a recently completed techno-economical study of the potential benefits of this technology, conducted by Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail-based transport business, for its Central Queensland heavy haul traction electric network. The study included in depth modelling and simulations of the electric traction network, together with comprehensive analysis of the commercial benefits from the whole-of-life perspective.

• Record URL:
  https://railknowledgebank.com/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=MTk4MTRjNDUtNWQ0My00OTBmLTllYWUtZWFjM2U2OTE0ZDY3&rID=NDQzMQ==&sID=NzI=&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&qcf=&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==
• Authors:
  • Perin I
  • Reynolds P
  • Cella U
  • Nussey P
  • Tran T
  • Walker G
• Conference:
  • CORE 2016, Maintaining the Momentum, Conference on Railway Excellence, Melbourne, Victoria, 16-18 May 2016
• Publication Date: 2016

Media Info

• Pagination: 9p. ; PDF
• Monograph Title: Maintaining the momentum: CORE 2016: conference on railway excellence, 16-18 May 2016, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Economic efficiency; Electricity; Energy; Energy conservation; Mathematical models; Railroad trains
• ATRI Terms: Cost benefit analysis; Cost effectiveness; Efficiency; Electricity; Energy; Energy conservation; Modelling; Train
• Subject Areas: Energy; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01636879
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: May 30 2017 3:30PM