Rail Vehicle Energy Storage Control for Power Peak Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically driven rail vehicles often cause power peaks in the power supply network, leading to increased energy costs and infrastructure complexity, as multiple vehicles drawing power simultaneously can exceed the designed capacity, resulting in higher energy prices and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
Equipping rail vehicles with an electrical energy storage unit and a controller to manage power consumption by switching between two operating modes: one using external power and another using stored energy, with the option to reduce traction power, thereby limiting power peaks and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple rail vehicles draw power simultaneously from the power supply, then the power demand is met, but power peaks occur leading to increased energy costs and infrastructure complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit is charged in advance during periods of low power demand, storing electrical energy for later use. This preliminary charging action allows the vehicle to draw from stored energy during peak demand periods, preventing power peaks without requiring infrastructure upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage unit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the rail vehicle's traction system. It buffers the power demand by releasing stored energy during peak periods, decoupling the vehicle's instantaneous power needs from the external power supply capacity.
2Power
If power supply capacity is increased to handle power peaks, then power peaks can be accommodated, but infrastructure costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rail vehicle serves its own power needs by utilizing the energy storage unit to cover peak demand periods. The vehicle independently manages its power consumption patterns, reducing reliance on the external power supply's peak capacity and eliminating the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If energy storage unit is used to limit power peaks, then power peak occurrence is reduced, but the rail vehicle requires additional energy storage infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit serves multiple functions: it limits power peaks during high demand, stores energy for extended operation, and can be charged from regenerative braking. This multi-functionality justifies the added vehicle complexity by providing comprehensive energy management benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces energy costs, improves efficiency, and decreases infrastructure demands by allowing rail vehicles to draw power from storage during peak demand, preventing power peaks and enabling continued travel performance without overloading the external power supply.
Implementation Method 1
equip rail vehicles with an electrical energy storage unit. If a danger of the occurrence of undesirable power peaks exists, an energy supply of the rail vehicle can take place, at least temporarily, from this electrical energy storage unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A rail vehicle is configured for extracting electrical energy from a power supply external to the vehicle and has at least one electrical energy storage unit. In a first operating mode, the rail vehicle travels by means of energy extracted from the power supply and without energy from the energy storage unit. In a second operating mode, the rail vehicle travels, at least in part, by means of energy from the energy storage unit and/or at reduced traction power in comparison to the first operating mode. The rail vehicle includes a controller set up for activating the first or the second operating mode, as a function of an upper consumption limit, which defines the permissible upper limit of the power that can be extracted from the power supply. The upper consumption limit is established in a variable manner so as to prevent power peaks in the power supply.