Smart Transport Energy Networks, Cardiff

Overview

Line side traction supplies reduce the power-weight ratio of transport, and in this way the efficiency of electrified railways has dominated the twentieth century.

As the labour costs of infrastructure installation become more significant the economics of electrification is changing. At the same time, electricity storage has become commonplace, and battery car technology is set to revolutionise car technology, so storage of energy on board trains may yet again become an efficient option.

The optimum approach of storage versus distribution needs to be a factor in all future design. Integration of on-board and line side storage and the integration of electric car and the wider changes to distribution networks need to be considered.

Network Rail is now looking at future architectures of integrated energy systems, with storage. The key challenge of design simulation systems and techniques have been addressed by development of new and innovative analysis systems.

This lecture will look at the technology and changes in design approach to facility this new, integrated approach to transport energy. It will look at how this can be applied to both main line railways and urban transport systems, and how this forms the basis of a future smart transport energy network.

This lecture is co-hosted with IET, EI and IMechE