Technical and economic feasibility of increasing tram system efficiency with EV batteries

Authors

Teng Zhang
Erica E.F. Ballantyne
Rui Zhao
David A. Stone

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2021

Subject Area

place - urban, mode - tram/light rail, economics - benefits, technology - alternative fuels, technology - emissions, infrastructure - vehicle, planning - methods

Keywords

Tram, urban, overhead catenary systems (OCS), energy efficiency

Abstract

Separate and common overhead catenary systems (OCS) are widely utilised on urban light-rail systems. This paper applies Simulink modelling to investigate differences in energy efficiency between two OCS systems, applied to a typical urban tram system. Results suggest common OCS reduces energy demand by 14%, as availability of regenerative braking increases by 297%. This paper predicts number, capacity and best installation locations for energy storage systems (ESSs) on an example system. Greater energy efficiency is achieved by installing ESS on centre stops between adjacent substations, rather than substation stops. Further, an economic study considers net present value, internal rate of return and payback period for a given ESS capacity; and a sensitivity analysis identifies capital cost and battery life as the most influential parameters to economic viability. Finally, using parked EVs as ESS for a tram system is explored to improve the economics.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part D Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Recommended Citation

Zhang, T., Ballantyne, E.E.F., Zhao, R., & Stone, D.A. (2021). Technical and economic feasibility of increasing tram system efficiency with EV batteries. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Vol. 91, 102681.