Reactive power compensation in the railway electrical traction system, using synchronous machines controlled by SCADA

Abstract

This article brings forward a solution for compensating the reactive power of the railway electrical traction system. Using the V-characteristics of the synchronous machine, reactive power can be produced or absorbed from the power supply network, keeping the power factor at a value as close to 1 as possible. Given that the load consumed by the railway electrical traction system is variable, it is necessary to be able to promptly correct the power factor. The SCADA system will change the synchronous machine’s operating characteristics relative as a function of the angle between the voltage and the current that are set at a given time by the consumers (electrical locomotives) passing through the railway section. By compensating the reactive power, the amount of active power supplied to the electrical network of the railway traction system is increased, without the need to modify the cross-section of the electrical conductors.