Opportunities and Challenges of Power Electronics Systems in Future Railway Electrification

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of the railway power systems, the integration of high speed locomotives and the need to increase the overhead catenary line power capacity, the main shortcomings of the conventional railway feeding system are becoming more evident. In order to overcome these drawbacks and to contribute to the technological evolution with innovative and electrically more efficient systems, several solutions have been proposed and implemented. In this context, this paper briefly presents a study of different railway power systems, highlighting emerging concepts, such as regenerative braking, energy storage systems, the inclusion of renewable energy sources, bidirectional power flow and wireless power transfer. Some of these concepts can be implemented in short to medium term, or in the long term. Following these concepts, an overview of the power electronics challenges for the implementation of these emerging concepts is presented and discussed.

Evaluation of Static Synchronous Compensator and Rail Power Conditioner in Electrified Railway Systems Using V/V and Scott Power Transformers

“…In addition, there is a range of potentialities that can be explored, such as the integration of renewable energies and the energy recovering from regenerative braking. In [19], a study of the trends of the railway electrical system is carried out, highlighting the integration of concepts such as renewable energy, on-board and off-board energy storage of different technologies, hourly combination with cooperative strategies as well as regenerative braking. The paper also presents some trends in terms of power electronics solutions for railway applications.…”

Submodule Topologies and PWM Techniques Applied in Modular Multilevel Converters: Review and Analysis

“…Consequently, it is possible to reduce the output dv/dt variation, allowing the integration of smaller passive filters. Additionally, also enables the use and selection of more commercially available and robust power electronics components due to their wide applicability in the most diverse applications [7]. In other words, mature medium voltage technologies due to their strong applicability in other applications.…”

“…Additionally, being a modular system, replacing a damaged submodule is easier as well as to adapt to the final application, adding submodules as much as need. Nevertheless, redundant protection mechanisms can be implemented [7].…”

“…Similarly, Feng et al present in [9] different MMC solutions that reputable companies related to railway traction, such as ABB, Alstom, Siemens, and Bombardier have been adopting in the implemented concepts. Barros et al present in [7] some trends in the MMC configurations.…”

“…Nevertheless, and taking advantage of the concept of modularity, it is possible to easily adapt the solution to the voltage and power levels required by the final application. Barros et al present in [7] different configurations for the MMC. Other MMC configurations are also presented in [8] and in [9].…”