Influence of the rail electrification system topology on the energy consumption of train trajectories

Abstract

Electrically powered rail vehicles are considered one of the most energy‐efficient means of transport. Transport activity is responsible for a considerable part of global energy consumption. The transport industry is therefore obliged to develop strategies for more efficient energy use. Railway electrification systems transmit the electrical power supplied by substations to moving trains. However, part of the power supplied is consumed by the electrification systems and does not reach the trains. In this study, transmission losses in the 2 × 25 kV electrification system are evaluated. The 2 × 25 kV system is widely used in high‐speed and high‐capacity railway lines. Assessment of the performance of the 2 × 25 kV system is carried out by computer simulation of the power flows between the elements involved in train movement by means of simplified physical models. The results show that the reduction of transmission losses is a feasible way to achieve energy savings and to improve the energy efficiency in electrified rail transport. For this, it is essential to add the topology of the electrification system to the data considered in the design of the train trajectories.

Energy Efficiency of High-Speed Railways

“…For lines electrified by 25 kV AC, it is necessary to produce only 8% more energy than received by a pantograph [46]. The greater energy consumption by the train, the greater the losses in the transformation and transmission [47]. Reduction of electricity losses in rail electrification systems will improve energy efficiency.…”