A New Approach for Real Time Train Energy Efficiency Optimization

Abstract

Efficient use of energy is currently a very important issue. As conventional energy resources are limited, improving energy efficiency is, nowadays, present in any government policy. Railway systems consume a huge amount of energy, during normal operation, some routes working near maximum energy capacity. Therefore, maximizing energy efficiency in railway systems has, recently, received attention from railway operators, leading to research for new solutions that are able to reduce energy consumption without timetable constraints. In line with these goals, this paper proposes a Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm that minimizes train traction energy, constrained to existing timetable. For computational effort minimization, re-annealing is not used, the maximum number of iterations is one hundred, and generation of cruising and braking velocities is carefully made. A Matlab implementation of the Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm determines the best solution for the optimal speed profile between stations. It uses a dynamic model of the train for energy consumption calculations. Searching for optimal speed profile, as well as scheduling constraints, also uses line shape and velocity limits. As results are obtained in seconds, this new algorithm can be used as a real-time driver advisory system for energy saving and railway capacity increase. For now, a standalone version, with line data previously loaded, was developed. Comparison between algorithm results and real data, acquired in a railway line, proves its success. An implementation of the developed work as a connected driver advisory system, enabling scheduling and speed constraint updates in real time, is currently under development.

Energy Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilization in Durum Wheat and Sorghum Grains

“…There are no studies for grain sorghum and for durum wheat. The negative effects associated with increased energy production may be mitigated if renewable energy sources are employed and increased efficiency of the related production processes is attained, so that energy consumption decreases without affecting quality of life (Rocha et al, 2018). The aim of this research was to study the energy efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in sorghum and durum wheat grains and to establish in which crop nitrogen fertilization leads to higher energy efficiency.…”

Evaluation of the Use of Energy in the Production of Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) under Different Production Systems

“…Energy demand has increased over the years due to factors such as the growing population size, the expansion of large cities, increased living standards, increased global pollution, the reduction of natural resources and productive areas, as well as the extinction of plant and animal species. The negative effects associated with increased energy production may be mitigated if renewable energy sources are employed and increased efficiency of the related production processes is attained, so that energy consumption decreases without affecting quality of life [1,2]. Energy balances permit evaluation and comparison of the efficiency of production methods of alternative energy [3].…”

Application of a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient Algorithm for Energy-Aimed Timetable Rescheduling Problem

“…In the acceleration phase, B(v m ) = 0, and T(v m ) meets the characteristic curves [32][33][34] in Figure 2, where (p 1 , q 1 , p 2 ) are parameters and v 1 is the constant. In the cruising phase, B(v m ) = 0, and…”