WSEAS Transactions on Power Systems
Print ISSN: 1109-9445, E-ISSN: 2415-1513
Volume 11, 2016
Analysis of Torque Capability and Limits of Operation of AC Traction Motors on Sustainable High-Speed Electric Trains
Authors: , , , ,
Abstract: The sustainability of electric railway vehicles is related both to high energy efficiency and to mitigated environmental impact during all life stages (namely, production, use and end-of-life). It is widely accepted that the environmental performance of traction motor operation is closely related to its energy conversion efficiency. In line with this idea, sustainable operation of electric traction motors on railway systems represents a significant goal nowadays in the development of high power and high speed locomotives and trains. At present, high speed electric trains mostly work with three-phase induction motors or three-phase synchronous motors as traction motors. The two electric machine types have different efficiencies at different operation points, and experience differences with respect to safety, speed and power, energy use and exergy efficiency. An important issue that correlates these sustainability aspects is the electromagnetic torque developed by an electric traction motor, taking into consideration that the wide operating torque-speed range required to the electric railway vehicle imposes significant constraints on achieving a high efficiency of the traction motor. In order to provide an overview of the technical and environmental performance of the sustainable operation of electric trains, a detailed analysis is carried out of the electromagnetic torque capability of AC electric motors utilized as traction motors in modern locomotives of high power and/or high speed. The results of this work may help in enhancing the main criteria for optimising the high-efficiency operation of sustainable electric railway traction systems.
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Keywords: Electric railway system, electromagnetic torque, exergy, electric high-speed train, induction motor, sustainability, synchronous motor
Pages: 156-170
WSEAS Transactions on Power Systems, ISSN / E-ISSN: 1109-9445 / 2415-1513, Volume 11, 2016, Art. #20