Development of a system for electric power consumption control by electric rolling stock on traction tracks of locomotive depots

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of increasing the energy efficiency of train traction. The analysis of energy resources consumption of JSC “Russian Railways” is made and options for saving fuel and energy resources of the company are formulated by reducing unproductive losses of electricity by electric rolling stock of railways during their standstill on traction tracks and at points of turnover of locomotive crews. The analysis of existing methods of control of electric power consumption by electric rolling stock on traction tracks of locomotive depots is performed. The considered manual control method has the following disadvantages: the lack of completeness, timeliness and reliability of data on electricity consumption. The second method, which consists in installing measuring systems on the feeders of traction tracks, has the following disadvantages: it does not allow automated metering and rationing of electricity with details on the operations performed (shunting movements, heating of electric locomotives), drivers, series of electric rolling stock, as well as legitimately attributing unproductive electricity consumption and damage from it to the involved structures (Traction Directorate, Directorate for repair of rolling stock, LLC “STM-Service”, LLC “TMH-Service”, Directorate of motor car rolling stock). The third method, which consists in installing a low-voltage power supply device on traction tracks, is not applicable when operating electric locomotives at low temperatures, since in this case it is necessary to warm up powerful consumers, such as liquid pumps, oil pumps, motor-compressors, motor-fans, etc.; most of the electric rolling stock is not equipped with specialized sockets for connecting a low-voltage power supply device, which limits the serial implementation of this device. An alternative system of control of electricity consumption by electric rolling stock traction on the tracks of the locomotive depot was developed, which has the following advantages: implementation of automated metering and rationing of electricity with details on performed operations (shunting moving, heating of electric locomotives), drivers, series of electric rolling stock; improving the reliability of electricity metering; implementation of the possibility of attributing unproductive power consumption and damage from it to the involved structures (Traction Directorate, Directorate for repair of rolling stock, LLC “STM-Service”, LLC “TMH-Service”, Directorate of motor car rolling stock); elimination of the need for additional research for new series of electric rolling stock being put into operation; development of scientifically-based measures to reduce power consumption.