Periodic Reporting for period 5 - IN2STEMPO (Innovative Solutions in Future Stations, Energy Metering and Power Supply)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-01-01 al 2023-03-31
The In2Stempo project addressed the topic of “Smart system energy management solutions and future station solutions” of the 2017 Horizon 2020 Shift2Rail Call for proposals for the Joint Undertaking Members (S2R-CFM-IP3-01-2017). Specifically focusing on the objectives and impacts of three Technology Demonstrators (TD) of the Shift2Rail Innovation Programme 3:
• TD3.9 - Smart Power Supply Demonstrator:
The goal of TD3.9 was to develop and showcase ways to improve power supply systems for AC electrified railways. This involved two main areas:
a) Creating a smart 50 Hz AC power supply using flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), allowing innovative supply setups like double-sided feeding or meshed networks.
b) Studying the use of process bus based on IEC61850-9-2, a new technology for control and protection systems in railway power supply. A demo was made for a 16.7 Hz 110 kV switchgear station of DB Energie GmbH.
• TD3.10 - Smart Metering for Railway Distributed Energy Resource Management System Demonstrator:
The aim of TD3.10 was to create a detailed map of energy flows in the railway system for effective energy management.
• TD3.11 – Future Stations Demonstrator:
The objective of the Future Stations Demonstrator (TD3.11) was to provide outcomes that could optimise station management by creating cost-effective solutions for it. It also aimed to enhance passengers' experiences at stations, including improving accessibility and safety.
In all above areas the project objectives were met. And although the foreseen work was of a relatively low Technology Readiness Level, if continued, our project's results have potential to save the energy consumption, enable sustainable power supply and improve asset performance and incident response at the railway. This, in turn, offers a more efficient and reliable railway to the passengers. Some of the work will, indeed, be continued as a prat of Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking research programme.
• TD3.9 - Smart Power Supply Demonstrator:
The goal of TD3.9 was to develop and showcase ways to improve power supply systems for AC electrified railways. This involved two main areas:
a) Creating a smart 50 Hz AC power supply using flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), allowing innovative supply setups like double-sided feeding or meshed networks.
b) Studying the use of process bus based on IEC61850-9-2, a new technology for control and protection systems in railway power supply. A demo was made for a 16.7 Hz 110 kV switchgear station of DB Energie GmbH.
• TD3.10 - Smart Metering for Railway Distributed Energy Resource Management System Demonstrator:
The aim of TD3.10 was to create a detailed map of energy flows in the railway system for effective energy management.
• TD3.11 – Future Stations Demonstrator:
The objective of the Future Stations Demonstrator (TD3.11) was to provide outcomes that could optimise station management by creating cost-effective solutions for it. It also aimed to enhance passengers' experiences at stations, including improving accessibility and safety.
In all above areas the project objectives were met. And although the foreseen work was of a relatively low Technology Readiness Level, if continued, our project's results have potential to save the energy consumption, enable sustainable power supply and improve asset performance and incident response at the railway. This, in turn, offers a more efficient and reliable railway to the passengers. Some of the work will, indeed, be continued as a prat of Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking research programme.
TD3.9:
Successful tests in France demonstrated that FACTS have the potential to enhance existing 25 kV 50 Hz systems. RIPFC and SFC enable new topologies, reducing power quality issues. SVC, RPC, and STATCOM balancers address power quality concerns. Upgrading rail power supply with FACTS could boost capacity and improve power management due to interconnected networks. The ongoing ERJU project will build on this work, aiming for a site demonstration by 2030. Additionally, work on introducing process bus technology for control and protection systems in railway power supply has been completed. Tests showed adaptability of 50 Hz merging units to a 16.7 Hz environment. Some existing 50 Hz protection devices partially worked for 16.7 Hz applications, but specific railway requirements need consideration. The process bus application had minimal signal delays or distortions and allowed typical railway protection devices to function within the network. A final trial for approval by DB Energie GmbH will integrate process bus technology into DB's 16.7 Hz railway power supply system.
TD3.10:
The In2Stempo project recognised the need for real-time measurements, standardised measurement structure, and energy data analytics in an open-source ODM platform. This provides user applications for informed energy and asset management decisions. Collaboration with UK and Spain's infrastructure managers led to custom smart metering development using non-intrusive sensors and data loggers for efficient data transfer. High-frequency measurements supported advanced analytics for electric infrastructure health and fault diagnosis. A data management system stored and evaluated smart metering data, aiding user applications. User-friendly dashboards helped users understand energy flows and support asset management. This enhanced energy efficiency, asset life estimation, and preventive maintenance, contributing to a more sustainable railway.
TD3.11:
At Warsaw East station, digital twins with machine learning improved station management's situational awareness. The new OCC could adapt to station environments cost-effectively. Real-world data, simulations, and video analysis within the station's digital twin, with machine learning, enabled dynamic short-term forecasts for overcrowding alerts. This empowered staff to respond to train-related events. In Slovenia, the train passenger occupancy system facilitated faster boarding, optimised communication, and better train capacity planning through real-time train segment occupancy information. These accomplishments in managing passengers and crowds at railway platforms were achieved through practical trials.
All the above results were presented at the biggest industry events (including Shift2Rail (S2R) / Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU) Innovation Days, RIA Innovation Conference, WCRR, InnoTrans, TRA, ATEC ITS) and during final dissemination showcase of the project. Project research paper, publications, presentations and relevant videos can be found on the project website.
Successful tests in France demonstrated that FACTS have the potential to enhance existing 25 kV 50 Hz systems. RIPFC and SFC enable new topologies, reducing power quality issues. SVC, RPC, and STATCOM balancers address power quality concerns. Upgrading rail power supply with FACTS could boost capacity and improve power management due to interconnected networks. The ongoing ERJU project will build on this work, aiming for a site demonstration by 2030. Additionally, work on introducing process bus technology for control and protection systems in railway power supply has been completed. Tests showed adaptability of 50 Hz merging units to a 16.7 Hz environment. Some existing 50 Hz protection devices partially worked for 16.7 Hz applications, but specific railway requirements need consideration. The process bus application had minimal signal delays or distortions and allowed typical railway protection devices to function within the network. A final trial for approval by DB Energie GmbH will integrate process bus technology into DB's 16.7 Hz railway power supply system.
TD3.10:
The In2Stempo project recognised the need for real-time measurements, standardised measurement structure, and energy data analytics in an open-source ODM platform. This provides user applications for informed energy and asset management decisions. Collaboration with UK and Spain's infrastructure managers led to custom smart metering development using non-intrusive sensors and data loggers for efficient data transfer. High-frequency measurements supported advanced analytics for electric infrastructure health and fault diagnosis. A data management system stored and evaluated smart metering data, aiding user applications. User-friendly dashboards helped users understand energy flows and support asset management. This enhanced energy efficiency, asset life estimation, and preventive maintenance, contributing to a more sustainable railway.
TD3.11:
At Warsaw East station, digital twins with machine learning improved station management's situational awareness. The new OCC could adapt to station environments cost-effectively. Real-world data, simulations, and video analysis within the station's digital twin, with machine learning, enabled dynamic short-term forecasts for overcrowding alerts. This empowered staff to respond to train-related events. In Slovenia, the train passenger occupancy system facilitated faster boarding, optimised communication, and better train capacity planning through real-time train segment occupancy information. These accomplishments in managing passengers and crowds at railway platforms were achieved through practical trials.
All the above results were presented at the biggest industry events (including Shift2Rail (S2R) / Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU) Innovation Days, RIA Innovation Conference, WCRR, InnoTrans, TRA, ATEC ITS) and during final dissemination showcase of the project. Project research paper, publications, presentations and relevant videos can be found on the project website.
The railway is considered relatively clean form of transport that is a contributor towards reducing global CO2 emissions, improving air quality and proactively manage biodiversity. These are collectively termed as the ‘three pillars of sustainability’:
1. People (Social Impact) – the railway has a long history of improving the quality of life for people who are able to use it. This includes local job creation and increasing incomes, increase in local businesses and recreational facilities, reduction in social deprivation and provision of local, regional and long-distance transport.
2. Planet (Environmental Impact) – the railway provides a means of low-carbon transport for both passengers and freight and is a key part of reducing carbon emissions and tackling future climate change. It can also significantly improve air quality in major cities and contribute towards improving biodiversity and the local ecology.
3. Profit (Economic Impact) – improving rail infrastructure has a positive impact on local businesses and national GDP. Improving the connectivity of national cities as well as European countries will also increase tourism and other commercial activities (retail, leisure etc).
The In2Stempo research had been designed to contribute towards these three pillars of sustainability. Work conducted can help with improvements in energy consumption and enable traction and non-traction energy consumption to be analysed at a very granular level, potentially leading to significant power and energy use reductions. Similarly advances in intelligent infrastructure and automated controls enable a step change in terms of rail utilisation and predictive maintenance/fault analyses. Finally, advances in IT technology and, in particular, the use of mobile phone apps have the potential to dramatically change the way travelling customers use and experience the railway. Specifically, it is expected that for ‘persons of reduced mobility’ (PRM) this technology will significantly increase their access to rail services.
1. People (Social Impact) – the railway has a long history of improving the quality of life for people who are able to use it. This includes local job creation and increasing incomes, increase in local businesses and recreational facilities, reduction in social deprivation and provision of local, regional and long-distance transport.
2. Planet (Environmental Impact) – the railway provides a means of low-carbon transport for both passengers and freight and is a key part of reducing carbon emissions and tackling future climate change. It can also significantly improve air quality in major cities and contribute towards improving biodiversity and the local ecology.
3. Profit (Economic Impact) – improving rail infrastructure has a positive impact on local businesses and national GDP. Improving the connectivity of national cities as well as European countries will also increase tourism and other commercial activities (retail, leisure etc).
The In2Stempo research had been designed to contribute towards these three pillars of sustainability. Work conducted can help with improvements in energy consumption and enable traction and non-traction energy consumption to be analysed at a very granular level, potentially leading to significant power and energy use reductions. Similarly advances in intelligent infrastructure and automated controls enable a step change in terms of rail utilisation and predictive maintenance/fault analyses. Finally, advances in IT technology and, in particular, the use of mobile phone apps have the potential to dramatically change the way travelling customers use and experience the railway. Specifically, it is expected that for ‘persons of reduced mobility’ (PRM) this technology will significantly increase their access to rail services.