Solar photovoltaic integration on locomotive roof top for South African railway industry

Abstract

This paper reports on solar photovoltaic integration on locomotive roof tops for South African Railway industry. The notion is to minimize the electricity consumed by Transnet Freight Rail, a division of Transnet SOC. The operational route is chosen based on the geographical mapping of high temperatures in the country. Solar PV intended to be used will have the capability to withstand the South African Railway environmental conditions and operational requirements. The motivation for this study is the annual increase in demand of cargo transportation, which leads to high cost involved in annual upgrading of Traction Substations to meet the demand. Due to high demand of cargo transportation, high congestion of trains causes Traction Substations overload. Hence the section trips and delays of trains are experienced. While the renewable energy offers a clean and cheaper energy supply, it is of practical importance to investigate the applicability of solar PV systems that can generate enough energy to supply AC and DC Electrical Locomotives and other auxiliary components such as blowers, lights, motors and control circuits in South Africa. The main purpose is not to eliminate the conventional energy supply entirely but to integrate the solar PV as an alternative energy supply to mitigate the overloading of Traction Substation, hence reducing the energy consumed and transporting more tonnages to meet the demand and aligning with the Market Demand Strategy of Transnet freight Rail of being rated the top five freight company in the world.