An On-board Energy Storage System for Catenary Free Operation of a Tram

Abstract

Modern cities require zero emissions, silent, and energy efficient transport solutions that have low or no visual impact on the environment. On-board energy storage systems have a significant role in providing the required energy during catenary free operation of trams and in recovering regenerated energy from braking. The energy consumption of a commercial tram for a total journey length of 13km has been simulated for proper sizing of the onboard energy storage. The energy storage system is recharged during stops at stations through wayside power delivery technologies and by the use of available braking energy. Due to this, the on-board energy storage system is required to provide a catenary free gap of about 1km. A power conversion system, Bi-Directional DC-DC converter, and a charge/discharge energy management system are required for the realisation of catenary free system.

A Preliminary Techno-Economic Comparison between DC Electrification and Trains with On-Board Energy Storage Systems

“…Nowadays several studies have focused on the possibility to design new trains to operate autonomously because of the advances in energy storage technologies [16]. Trains with on-board storage systems could be adopted for expansion of already electrified railways, point-to-point connections or commuter transport systems [17][18][19]. It will be important in the near future to considerate the need for prospective analysis of the marketing of rolling stock approved for bimodal operation (i.e., with and without contact lines supplying different voltages).…”