DC Traction system cost estimation tool taking into account losses minimization

Abstract

This dissertation proposes a tool that will give support to the design of DC traction systems. The tool simulates a simplified model, with three substations and the goal is to find the system configuration that minimizes the distribution system (catenary) losses. The existing software tools allow to simulate power traction systems, although, it is usual to take long time to optimize them and carries difficulties to find optimal solutions. The tool presented in this work, developed in a simulation software, allows modeling a system, where a vehicle operates in a line, fed by a traction supply system composed by three traction substations. It becomes possible to simulate the system, considering all the assumptions and simplifications, getting mechanical and electrical results. The methodology allows to size the traction groups, the section for parallel feeder cable and the length of each electrical section, using the best location for the intermediate substation. A comparative study between two scenarios is proposed and it is presented a method to globally simulate the system, verifying the best configuration betwe