Koop, Friedemann (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg), Hager, Lukas (Friedrich-Alexander Universität), Burlacu, Robert (University of Technology Nuremberg)

Energy-Efficient Optimized Operation of DC Traction Power Supply Systems in Rail Infrastructure by Modeling Controlled Rectifiers

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "S02b-Optimization for Shared, Electric, and Sustainable Mobility Systems" (WE-EA-T2), Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 14:30−14:50, Southport 2

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on October 19, 2025

Abstract

Electric railway systems with continuous energy supply are highly efficient and will play a major role in the transition to sustainable mobility. Despite the overall high energy efficiency, DC traction power supply still suffers from braking losses. Mathematical optimization models have been developed to increase system-wide energy efficiency by controlling the substation feed-in voltages, but these solutions remain mainly theoretical. This paper enhances existing models in substation modeling by incorporating controlled rectifiers, which are critical components for the deployment of real-world optimization, using an MPEC formulation with piecewise-linear characteristics for substations. Considering the computational challenges of such enhanced models for real-time applications, this paper introduces effective speed-up measures, including presolve configurations of optimization solvers and model reduction. These improvements jointly reduce solution times by about 85%, reducing runtimes to just 0.6 s on average. Computational studies of a sample railway network show that this approach improves energy efficiency, reducing system losses by nearly 4.5% compared to conventional operations with constant substation feed-in voltages. This work enables the practical application of optimization in DC traction networks, achieving gains in energy efficiency through intelligent component control.