The Influence of Operating Strategies regarding an Energy Optimized Driving Style for Electrically Driven Railway Vehicles

• Main Authors: Lukas Pröhl, Harald Aschemann, Roberto Palacin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: energy-optimal trajectory planning, load distribution strategy, simulation of traction chain topologies, operating strategies, decarbonization
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/3/583

The aim of this paper is the optimization of velocity trajectories for electrical railway vehicles with the focus on total energy consumption. On the basis of four fundamental operating modes — acceleration, cruising, coasting, and braking — energy-optimal trajectories are determined by optimizing the sequence of the operating modes as well as the corresponding switching points. The optimization approach is carried out in two consecutive steps. The first step ensures compliance with the given timetable, regarding both time and position constraints. In the second step, the influence of different operating strategies, such as load distribution and the switch-off of traction components during low loads, are analyzed to investigate the characteristics of the energy-optimal velocity trajectory. A detailed simulation model has been developed to carry out the analysis, including an assessment of its capabilities and advantages. The results suggest that the application of load-distribution techniques, either by a switch-off of parallel traction units or by a load-distribution between active units, can affect the energy-optimal driving style.