The Energy Flow Simulation (EFS)
With our energy flow simulation (EFS), we have succeeded in assessing optimizations and critical energy states and enabling targeted remote monitoring of complex catenary networks. This allows us to guarantee a high level of reliability and security.
Together with our Spanish engineers at KRUCH SIDOS we have developed a software tool called Energy Flow Simulation (EFS). The software simulates the energy flow for different scenarios. EFS analyses the returns of investments, solves problems, increases the reliability of power supply and supports you in meeting the new requirements for CO2 reduction.
With the help of the energy flow simulation (EFS) our customers can simulate their own energy balance in their networks very easily.
The software deals with essential problems:
- Why do substations suddenly switch off?
- What impact will new traction vehicles have on the energy usage?
- How can I save energy?
- Time table changes: Can the required energy be supplied?
- Extending the network: How many substations are required?
- Where are the critical spots in the network (low voltage, high temperature, …)?
- How do the electromagnetic field spread along the network?
- How can the network meet the new requirements for CO2 reduction?
- And many more
Your benefits by using EFS:
EFS highlights critical points in the electrical network and shows the power and voltage of the consumers, such as trams or trolleys, in all parts of the network. The software analyses substations and energy consumption of the vehicles in detail. We offer consulting services for our customers to optimize their networks considering the energy consumption, timetable, vehicle use, energy storages, electrical parameters, and many more. The user does not lose time by learning complex interface and is able to focus his efforts on what is really important.
Subsidizable tool
In recent decades the requirements for public transport companies have only slightly changed, but since the requirements for CO2 reduction and new technologies such as hybridization and electro mobility arose, more and more questions for an operator appeared that can hardly be financed by consulting activities. Considering only the amount of funded projects that deal with electro mobility, one can guess where the journey will go.
Many concepts for CO2 reduction are solved by the exchange of gasoline buses, but without having a clear picture of what additional energy is required or even what impact this has on the current operation of tram, metro or trolleybuses.
Is the existing transport network able to meet the future requirements or are there already weak points that undermine any expansion? Partly, track sections, substations etc. have already more than 40 years on the formation board and no longer meet todays requirements.
For exactly this purpose, KRUCH has developed a subsidizable simulation tool that is the first in the world to let the operator himself handle simulations. With Energy Flow Simulation all desired scenarios, timetables, vehicles and new technologies can be integrated into the existing network to immediately get an overview of energy requirements and vulnerabilities in the network.
We support you in the decision-making process for many questions, such as:
- Are new investments needed?
- Do you need to place new substations? If yes, where?
- Can track extension be realized without expensive substations?
- Can a battery-powered bus cover the required routes under real traffic conditions?
How does EFS work?
The software is a cloud solution based on a website, which allows every customer to simulate different scenarios on a predefined network in a simple way. There is no installation needed. Our customer provides us with the relevant and available information (e.g.: electrical network diagram, substations characteristics, vehicle datasheet or timetables). Our engineers analyse and complete the incoming data. Based on the information given, we set up a mathematical model for the customers network.
The results are verified with the measurements on substations and/or vehicles. After only 1 hour of training with our experts, the user is able to change all possible parameters and to simulate different scenarios in the network. The software interfaces are very user friendly and fully customized so that different users intuitively know how to use the tool.
References
Click here to see our references.
Freiburger Verkehrsbetriebe – Germany
With the last extension of the EFS model – „Günterstal” – the tram network is now complete. It now includes 37km track, 85 stations, 26 DC-transformers, 63 coupling-switches, 2 energy-storages, 1 charging station for E-Buses.
VAG has already performed >150 simulations (status: early 2021).
DSW21 – Germany
Ordered, in development.
Ruhrbahn – Germany
EFS simulation.
Salzburg AG – O-Bus-Network
Complete network-analysis including a short-circiut simulation.
150km long trolleybus-system using energy flow simulation by KRUCH SIDOS. Our customer wanted a simple tool for simulating the energy flow under different conditions.
RET Line E
Simulation of a combined network (catenary and 3rd. rail) under special consideration of the traction curve at very low voltage on a 16km long rapid train railway route.
RET Line Hoek van Holland
ESF-simulation and optimization of the complete Line, which was in reconstruction at the time of the project. Through EFS we could print the available voltage on the contact wire along the map.
RET Tram
EFS-simulation of the complete tram network of Rotterdam. RET now also has the possibility to simulate the temperatures of the contact wire of a 70km long tram route.
Potsdam
Through EFS it is possible to measure the energy in the overhead contact line quick and easy. The current- and tension flow in the overhead contact line and the energy consumption of the vehicles are calculated very fast.
Utrecht
For the 2km long tram route in Utrecht KRUCH SIDOS simulates and analyses – in addition to the standard features – the electromagnetic fields that are produced by the overhead wire. The goal is the optimization of the catenary system, to reduce the magnetic fields in the surrounding of a hospital with sensitive equipment.
SPL-Powerlines
In Stockholm our EFS-software simulates the third rail of the 20km long underground railway, with the special function to directly compare different hardware options of the third rail.
HTM
The aim of this project is to find out whether there is sufficient energy for the proposed timetables of this 156 km-long tram line. It is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2019.