Increasing Railway Energy Efficiency: A Three-Level Method

Increasing Railway Energy Efficiency: A Three-Level Method

R.M. Paulussen | G.F. Ten Harve T. Ploeg | A. Zoeteman

ARCADIS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ProRail, TU Delft, The Netherlands

DNV GL, Arnhem, The Netherlands

Page: 
491-500
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/TDI-V1-N3-491-500
Received: 
N/A
|
Revised: 
N/A
|
Accepted: 
N/A
|
Available online: 
30 April 2017
| Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Energy efficiency in railway operation has been a topic of high interest for years. Lowering energy costs can make railway operation not only more sustainable, but also more competitive towards other modalities. Energy efficiency can be reached in two ways: system efficiency and operational efficiency. Innovation can be found in combining the right system measures with the right operational measures. Introducing the right system measures can even lead to energy efficiency independent of operational strategies, such as coasting and regenerative braking.

Rail infra providers struggle with the question which innovations – system, operational or both – will bring them closer to their targets. To determine which measures will contribute best, the authors developed a new universal method based on energy efficiency at three levels: individual rolling stock performance, rolling stock performance in networks and operational strategies.

The authors used this three-level method to study the energy efficiency effect of a system change from the current 1,500 VDC to a 3 kVDC traction power supply system, including operational strategies. The results of the study revealed that in the Netherlands this system change will result in a return on investment (ROI) within 15 years and a reduction of energy consumption ranging up to 20%.

Keywords: 

energy efficiency, return on investment, simulation study, social cost–benefit analysis, system changeover

  References

[1] Steenis, N.H. van, Monitoring Train Performance in Case of Low Adhesion, Enschede:University of Twente, The Netherlands, 11 June 2010.

[2] Dutch Government, Guideline for Social Cost Benefit Analysis. Ministry of EconomicAffairs & Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, The Hague, 2000.

[3] Paulussen, R.M., Electrical Energy Simulations on Behalf of Introduction of 3 kVDCTraction Power Supply, Amersfoort: ARCADIS Netherlands BV, 26 September 2014.

[4] Paulussen, R.M., Electrical Energy Simulations on Behalf of Introduction of 3 kVDCTraction Power Supply: Regional Lines, Amersfoort: ARCADIS Netherlands BV, 27October 2014.

[5] Zoeteman, A., Harve, F. ten, & Ploeg, T., Societal Cost benefit Analysis 3 kV and 1500VTraction Power Supply, Utrecht: ProRail, 2014. .

[6] Zoeteman, A., Harve, F. ten, & Ploeg, T., Migrating to DC 3 kV traction power supplyfor Dutch Railways – A feasibility analysis. Elektrische Bahnen 114 (2016) Heft 1–2.

[7] Harve, G.F. ten., Sustainable Traction Supply, Utrecht: ProRail, 2012.

[8] Paulussen, R.M., Electrical Energy Simulations on Behalf of Introduction of 3 kVDCTraction Power Supply: PHS-study, Amersfoort: ARCADIS Netherlands BV, 26 September2014.

[9] Welvaarts, J., 3000V Traction Energy Supply: Travel Time and Recuperation Effects,Utrecht: Lloyd's Register Rail, 2014.