Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters

At present, in several European railway networks using traditional DC electrification systems, it is not possible to increase traffic nor to operate locomotives at their nominal power ratings. Trackside energy storage systems (TESSs) can be an alternative solution for the creation of new substations...

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Main Authors: Joseph Fabre, Philippe Ladoux, Hervé Caron
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Electronics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/7/1675
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author Joseph Fabre
Philippe Ladoux
Hervé Caron
author_facet Joseph Fabre
Philippe Ladoux
Hervé Caron
author_sort Joseph Fabre
collection DOAJ
description At present, in several European railway networks using traditional DC electrification systems, it is not possible to increase traffic nor to operate locomotives at their nominal power ratings. Trackside energy storage systems (TESSs) can be an alternative solution for the creation of new substations. A TESS limits contact line voltage drops and smooths the power absorbed during peak traffic. Thus, the efficiency of the power system can be increased while limiting costs and the environmental impact. This paper proposes a new topology of a TESS based on full-SiC isolated DC/DC converters associated with lithium-ion batteries and galvanic isolation, offering major advantages for operational safety. In the event of a fault, the input and output terminals of the converters are electrically separated, and the contact line voltage can never be directly applied to the batteries. In addition, the use of SiC MOSFETs makes it possible to obtain excellent efficiency with a high switching frequency. The first part of this paper presents the main characteristics of an elementary TESS module, while the second part proposes a sizing methodology for the typical case of a 1.5 kV DC line, which shows the limits of using TESSs to reinforce a power supply. Finally, the experimental results of an elementary module prototype are presented.
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spelling doaj.art-464250c003354f66a6315f4ff18efdf12023-11-17T16:34:00ZengMDPI AGElectronics2079-92922023-04-01127167510.3390/electronics12071675Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC ConvertersJoseph Fabre0Philippe Ladoux1Hervé Caron2SCLE-SFE, 25 Chemin de Paléficat, 31204 Toulouse, FranceLaboratory of Plasma and Energy Conversion (LAPLACE), Université de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, FranceDépartement Traction Électrique, SNCF Réseau, 93418 La Plaine Saint-Denis, FranceAt present, in several European railway networks using traditional DC electrification systems, it is not possible to increase traffic nor to operate locomotives at their nominal power ratings. Trackside energy storage systems (TESSs) can be an alternative solution for the creation of new substations. A TESS limits contact line voltage drops and smooths the power absorbed during peak traffic. Thus, the efficiency of the power system can be increased while limiting costs and the environmental impact. This paper proposes a new topology of a TESS based on full-SiC isolated DC/DC converters associated with lithium-ion batteries and galvanic isolation, offering major advantages for operational safety. In the event of a fault, the input and output terminals of the converters are electrically separated, and the contact line voltage can never be directly applied to the batteries. In addition, the use of SiC MOSFETs makes it possible to obtain excellent efficiency with a high switching frequency. The first part of this paper presents the main characteristics of an elementary TESS module, while the second part proposes a sizing methodology for the typical case of a 1.5 kV DC line, which shows the limits of using TESSs to reinforce a power supply. Finally, the experimental results of an elementary module prototype are presented.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/7/1675energy storage systemrailwaysDC-DC power converterspower MOSFETsilicon carbideR-SAB converter
spellingShingle Joseph Fabre
Philippe Ladoux
Hervé Caron
Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
Electronics
energy storage system
railways
DC-DC power converters
power MOSFET
silicon carbide
R-SAB converter
title Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
title_full Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
title_fullStr Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
title_full_unstemmed Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
title_short Fixed (Trackside) Energy Storage System for DC Electric Railways Based on Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC Converters
title_sort fixed trackside energy storage system for dc electric railways based on full sic isolated dc dc converters
topic energy storage system
railways
DC-DC power converters
power MOSFET
silicon carbide
R-SAB converter
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/7/1675
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AT philippeladoux fixedtracksideenergystoragesystemfordcelectricrailwaysbasedonfullsicisolateddcdcconverters
AT hervecaron fixedtracksideenergystoragesystemfordcelectricrailwaysbasedonfullsicisolateddcdcconverters