An industry driven PhD research topic undertaken by Dr Igor Perin, Aurizon.
Overview
Single phase rail traction overhead distribution networks unavoidably cause unbalance, high peak loads, and harmonic distortion in the upstream three phase utility transmission network. Traditionally solved by Static Var compensators (SVCs) and passive harmonic filters, modern high power converters and battery storage now offer alternative technical solutions to rail operators and/or network utilities to reduce the cost of connection of rail networks. This PhD research considered several possible new configurations using Static Frequency Converters (SFCs), Rail Power Conditioners (PCs), rail owned transmission, and large wayside energy storage. It evaluated the Return on Investment for each of these on detailed models of actual rail segments with actual rail loading and throughput to determine the best economic alternatives for future investment.
Example project case study
Moranbah South FS: RPC and Energy storage allows disconnection of feeder station
Moranbah South is a feeder station (FS) within Aurizon’s Goonella network, nearing end of life and considered for disconnection. Adding a Rail Power Conditioner (PC) and Energy storage at the Villafranca Track Sectioning Cabin (TSC) allows the system to operate at 60% of normal traffic when Mt Mclaren is OS and improves conditions during normal feedine.
Modelling determined the following requirements;
– RPC converter ratings: 14.8 MW, 7.6 MVAr, 16.1 MVA
– Battery storage sizing: 17.1 MW, 2.8 MWh
Based on estimated costs of new technology a payback period was also determined for each case study.
- Extensive Literature and Prior Art search
- Development of new protection scheme to enable Static Frequency Converter (SFC) and conventional transformer meshing.
- Development of new traction network feeding and meshing strategies using Rail Power Conditioners (RPCs).
- Evaluation of traction power system options using dynamic system models.
- Evaluation of wayside storage
- Estimation of Return on Investment of new technology options allowing alternative expansion or re-powering options.
Publications
Publications: Perin, I., Walker, G. R., Ledwich, G., & Nussey, P (2019). AC Railway Networks Cost Optimization. Paper accepted by the AusRail Plus 2019 Conference, withdrawn due to reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Perin, I., Walker, G. R., & Ledwich, G. (2018a). Load Sharing and Wayside Battery Storage for Improving AC Railway Network Performance with Generic Model for Capacity Estimation-Part 2. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 65(12), 9459-9467. doi:10.1109/TIE.2018.2818641.
Perin, I., Walker, G. R., & Ledwich, G. (2018b). Load Sharing and Wayside Battery Storage for Improving AC Railway Network Performance, with Generic Model for Capacity Estimation, Part 1. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics. 1-1. do: 10.1109/TIE.2018.2838066.
Perin, Igor, Reynolds, Philip N, Cella, Umberto M, Nussey, Peter F, Tran, Truc V, & Walker, Geoffrey R. (2016). Static frequency converters in heavy haul electric rail, a techno-economical study. CORE 2016: Maintaining the Momentum, 37.
Perin, I., Nussey, P. F., Tran, T. V., Cella, U. M., & Walker, G. R. (2015, 15-18 Nov. 2015). Rail power conditioner technology in Australian Heavy Haul Railway: A case study. Paper presented at the 2015 IEEE PES Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference (APPEEC).
Perin, Igor, & Walker, Geoffrey R. (2015, 27-30 Sept. 2015). Protection of a Static Frequency Converter fed traction network, a case study. Paper presented at the Power Engineering Conference (APEC), 2015 Australasian Universities.
Perin, I., Nussey, P. F., Cella, U. M., Tran, T. V., & Walker, G. R. (2015, 9-12 June 2015). Application of power electronics in improving power quality and supply efficiency of AC traction networks. Paper presented at the Power Electronics and Drive Svstems (PEDS), 2015 IEEE 11th International Conference on.
Perin, Igor, Matthews-Frederick, Simon, Nussey, Peter F., & Walker, Geoffrey R. (2015). Static freguency converters – World’s first annlication for 50-7/50-7 Statische Erpguenzumrichter Erste Anwendung fur 50Hz/50Hz weltweit. eb – Elektrische Bahnen, 113(8), 392-399