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R.16. Promote the development of efficient (on board) power
electronics

Investment: Nature: Improvement:

Related to:
R.11 R.12 R.13 R.14

Unlike the ground application, on-board power electronics are very well researched. In
any case, it is widely accepted that the use of silicon carbide in on-board equipment would
have greater advantages than in ground equipment. In recent projects, significant
reductions in energy consumption have been verified due to lower energy losses, lower
thermal dissipation needs and lower volumes and weights.

The challenge must also effect the evolution and optimisation of electronic control
strategies, allowing rolling stock to operate at its most efficient point. To this end, work
is proposed on techniques for identifying and applying the maximum performance
operating point, optimising the distribution of effort applied by the different traction
equipment.

VII. USE AND OPERATION

As indicated in the first document, the implementation of actions in the infrastructure and
rolling stock that optimise the energy management of the system must accompany actions
that allow this material to operate efficiently on that infrastructure. The identified
challenges are outlined in the following table.

Challenge Description Identified in Advances
2016 since 2016
(*)

R.17 Purchase of “Green” electrical energy No -

R.18 Efficient operation of the railway Yes Yes
Electrical grid

R.19 Efficient operation of Rolling Stock Yes Yes

R.20 Promotion of self-consumption No -

R.21 Promotion of the digitisation of mobility No -

Table 3. Abstract of the challenges identified in the areas of use and operation.
(**): To the general criteria of the entities participating in the document.

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Position paper: Innovation in energy management: contribution of railways to sustainable mobility
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