Rail traffic - implications for regenerative braking on the example of the freight train

摘要

Rail traffic can be operated very energy efficiently. This is due to a low rolling resistance between wheel and rail and low air resistance as a result of trainformation are always given. In electrical systems, the regenerative brake can result in significant additional energy savings. However, a number of technical and operational conditions must be met. Especially in DC railways [1], the energetic recovery is much more problematic. As the substations can only produce DC from AC with rectifiers usually, so the energy from the vehicle can only be used in the same section. In contrast, in AC railways, the transformer of the substation allows the current to flow in both directions without any problems. Despite these advantages, railways, trams and metres have difficulties in improving their share in the modal split. This is mainly the result of huge investment costs and the approval hurdles are significant.