Adaptive Converter for Light Rail Traction Systems

During the last couple of decades the Tram systems have been reappearing and reused in many cities all over the world. The new advent of tram lines cannot be separated from the electric mobility policies and the new technological developments. Among other features, trams that can ride on light rail infrastructures, as well as, heavy rail infrastructures have been adopted in many European cities. A core challenge when developing this type of solutions is to make compatible infrastructures running at different frequencies and voltage levels, as for instance, to develop trams able to operate at standard voltages (in line with EN50163/IEC60850), as for instance, 750 VDC in an urban area or 15 kV 162/3Hz in rail lines. Considering standard voltage levels for heavy and light rail operation, the main purpose of this paper is to describe an adaptive converter based on modular stages. This converter also includes intermediate energy storage (batteries and ultracapacitors) and is designed considering a system with 6 traction motors. To analyze the behavior and viability of the proposed converter, a simulation model of the entire system is developed based on models in line with the dynamics of such electrical systems. The results obtained show that is possible to operate a tram under different feeding conditions based on a modular solution.