System studies for railway power systems

System and network studies form the basis for the design of railway power supply systems. Specialised software tools are used as central instruments to simulate the planned railway operations and their impact on electrical installations.

The Fabel software suite was specially developed by Enotrac to conduct network simulations for power supply networks across all types of electrical railway systems, as well as for trolleybuses. These network simulations enable the identification of network weaknesses and the design of individual components of the rail power supply. Additionally, energy consumption and losses can be calculated and localised, facilitating  the assessment of energy-saving measures.

Load studies are essential for designing railway power networks. The simulations are based on the most demanding conditions, such as component failures, high energy consumption for passenger cabin air conditioning, significant wear on overhead wires or high ambient temperatures. These conditions are defined in advance in collaboration with the client to meet the specific requirements of each project.

The results of the load calculations also support the design of overhead line protection systems and return conductor system. Additionally, the track-to-earth voltages determined through simulations help assess compliance with stray current protection requirements for DC railway systems.

Thanks to the integration of georeferenced GTFS data into the model, simulations results can be clearly displayed on a map, making it easy to identify potential weak points.

Energy studies primarily focus on two key aspects: improving the efficiency of railway systems by reducing energy consumption through system optimisation, and transitioning to zero-emission propulsion technologies. Simulations enable the identification of areas within the railway system that offer energy-saving potential, followed by an evaluation of the impact of possible measures.

Example of such measures include optimising braking curves for regenerative braking, implementing energy storage systems, or adopting energy-efficient driving practices. In addition to technical aspects, economic implications are also taken into account, ensuring that both technical feasibility and financial viability are considered in the evaluation and recommendation of measures.

Through these studies, Enotrac makes a significant contribution to improving the efficiency of railway systems, thereby helping to make public transport more sustainable and cost-effective.

For new railway lines or electrification projects, such as converting from diesel to zero-emission propulsion systems,  an initial system decision and an appropriate supply concept are required. Both technical and economic aspects are critical in this process.

In such system studies, we present the potential advantages and disadvantages of various options and develop possible solutions through an iterative process. The feasibility of these solutions is subsequently verified and optimised with simulations.

Depending on the client’s specific requirements, we evaluate not only traditional electrical systems but also alternative propulsion systems such as hydrogen or battery electric vehicles. Their energy supply may rely only partially on overhead lines, isolated overhead line sections or charging stations.

Our simulations also allow us to assess the use of Static Frequency Converters (SFC) and demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional transformer-based substations for the specific application in question

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