Quantifying Regenerative Braking Energy for the Electric Traction System

Abstract

Regenerative braking energy is generated during deceleration of an electrical train in the electric traction system. The regenerative braking energy harvested can then be used in energy saving schemes such as charging of energy storage or redirect to an adjacent accelerating train at the station. Quantifying the regenerative braking energy provides crucial information to carry out the implementation of these energy saving applications. In this paper, the design and operational of regenerative braking system are investigated to evaluate the obtainability of the energy. An effective regenerative braking energy model for electric traction system is developed using MATLAB/Simulink. A model has been developed to estimate the energy harvested from the regenerative braking. Various aspects such as the mechanical efficiency of the traction motor, traction auxiliary load and traction resistance forces are considered. The quantity of energy recovered from regenerative braking also differs subject to the speed profile, the drive efficiency, the drive cycle, and the weight of the rolling stock. Numerous parameters impacting the effectiveness of energy harvested from regenerative braking are considered in the simulation.