Regenerative braking energy optimization for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system

• Main Author: Zhai, Jianyang
• Other Authors: Gooi Hoay Beng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electric power::Auxiliaries, applications and electric industries
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54349
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Regenerative braking uses motors of the train in braking, converts kinetic energy into electric energy and returns it to the power supply system. As an environment friendly braking method, regenerative braking is widely used in metro systems, such as the urban mass rapid transit (MRT) system in Singapore. Presently, the research works about regenerative braking mostly focus on the control with power electronic devices and the energy exchange between railway power grid and motors on the train. Few optimizations on software were made. In this project, the optimization on train braking speed trajectory was made, in order to maximize regenerative braking energy generated during braking. Three methods of optimization were proposed. All of which were simulated with the same data. The results of the experiments were compared. The results showed that in absence of time or distance limitation, braking with only electric braking force can gain most RBE. When the total distance is limited, the assistance of mechanical force is needed, and the total RBE gained is relevant ly less. It was analyzed by theory and verified by linear programming that the trajectory with a lower velocity at the same distance coordinate will eventually gain a larger RBE. It is evident from the findings that with the optimization of the train braking speed trajectory , the amount of RBE gained will increase significantly .