RAIL TRACTION
BY BILL SIURU, PHD, PE
AeroEfficient train optimization is used to design new trains to reduce aerodynamic drag up to 25%.
Bombardier Sifang to
Supply VHS Trains to China
Energy efficiency, comfort and capacity reshaping priorities in rail transportation
Bombardier first introduced its portfolio of ECO4 energy-saving technologies at Inno Trans 2008 in Berlin. Many
of these technologies are already, or
soon will be, used by railroads in several locations around the world.
ECO4 technologies are used in
Bombardier’s ZEFIRO trains that provide very high speeds with the eco-friendliness and first-class passenger
comfort travelers demand today. The
very high speed (VHS) lineup includes
the ZEFIRO380, V300ZEFIRO and
ZEFIRO250. The ZEFIRO380 has a
380 kph top speed. The V300ZEFIRO,
top speed of 300 to 360 kph, is
designed for the European VHS market, and at 250 kph, the ZEFIRO250 is
one of the fastest sleepers.
China plans to build over 6000 km
of VHS rail lines. The Chinese Ministry
of Railways (CMR) has selected
Bombardier’s Chinese joint venture,
Bill Siuru, PhD, PE, is a technical writer based
in Temecula, California, U.S.A.
Bombardier Sifang Transportation Ltd.,
in Qinghao to supply 80 ZEFIRO380s.
This includes 20 eight-car train sets
and 60 sixteen-car train sets. The first is
scheduled for delivery in 2012, with
final deliveries expected in 2014. The
joint venture is currently delivering 20
ZEFIRO250 sleeping car train sets of
16 cars and a similar number of 250
kph train sets with conventional seating for 1300 passengers to CMR.
The ZEFIRO’s ECO4 technologies
include simulation and optimization
tools, including EnerGplan simulation
tool, AeroEfficient train optimization,
EBI Drive 50 driver-assistance system
and energy management control system. Most of these tools are suitable
both for new trains and existing ones.
The graphics-based EnerGplan simulation tool optimizes power distribution for reduced energy consumption
considering speed profiles, routing and
schedules, supply and distribution system load flows, and effects of onboard
and wayside energy storage sources.
AeroEfficient train optimization is used
to design new trains to reduce aerodynamic drag up to 25%. Travel times
can also be reduced since more aerodynamic trains can accelerate faster.
The EBI Drive 50 driver-assistance
system helps operators with recommendations on speed and acceleration/decel-eration to minimize energy used. Besides
saving up to 15% in energy, it results in
smoother operation for reduced wear of
wheels, engines, brakes and tracks.
Based on Bombardier’s ORBITA system,
which enhances predictive maintenance,
the energy management control system
integrates energy awareness, efficiency
and carbon control using data gathered
from the trains.
The ZEFIROs use MITRAC permanent
magnet motors with rotors that create
their own flux via magnets, an improvement over standard induction motors
where the flux is created only in the stator
windings. Less energy is required, motor
cooling is easier, and higher performance
can be realized compared to inductor
motors of the same size. The high motor
performance also shifts braking power
from the mechanical to the electric system, resulting in lower operation costs
and reduced environmental impact.
The ThermoEfficient climatization
system is an intelligent, low-energy
