Transport networks undoubtedly constitute an essential component of a country’s critical infrastructure, alongside other key facilities such as energy and water systems. Whether for transporting people or goods, airports, ports, roads and railways are fundamental to social and economic development.

In Spain, the railway infrastructure has undergone radical changes in recent decades, with high-speed rail (AVE) playing a leading role. As a result, the AVE network is now around 3,400 km long, making it one of the largest in the world. The Spanish railway network as a whole, which spans over 15,000 km, is used by more than 500 million passengers annually and carries more than 20 billion tonnes of freight each year.

Consequently, it is a vital piece of infrastructure that must be properly protected at all levels, and this includes safeguarding all the components connected to the electricity supply.

Continuity and stability

The movement of such a large number of people and goods requires a continuous and reliable energy supply, which, given that around two-thirds of the network is electrified and accounts for the bulk of rail traffic, primarily comes in the form of electricity.

The railway electrification system is highly complex and operates at different voltage levels depending on whether it is a conventional or high-speed network. It’s important to note that, in addition to powering the catenary systems that connect to the trains, electricity must also be supplied to stations, signalling systems, safety devices, and IT equipment, among other components.

Naturally, power electronics play a crucial role in the railway sector, which has its own standards, such as EN 50121-3-2 and EN 50121-5 for electromagnetic compatibility, EN 50124-1 for insulation, and EN 61287-1 for power converters installed on board rolling stock. These standards, among many others, must be met by uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, whose mission is to guarantee a permanent, high-quality power supply by eliminating harmonics and fluctuations in the network, such as power outages or surges.

Modular and redundant UPS systems fully meet the infrastructure requirements of the railway industry. Modularity enables systems to be configured with a variable number of modules, making it easy to adapt to the specific requirements of each application. Additionally, this design allows for the possibility of connecting systems in parallel to enhance the level of protection and increase the capacity to accommodate more power in the future.

UPS systems in railway applications must also offer redundancy as a fail-safe, in case any of the components or subsystems fail. Together, this combination of modularity and redundancy, along with high levels of power density and efficiency, can ensure safe and continuous rail traffic. UPS systems can also help maximise the use of railway networks and reduce the overall costs associated with infrastructure.

Added to this is the role that UPS systems can play in increasing the operational ability to comply with timetables. This, in turn, impacts aspects such as safety, which is always a priority, as well as the reputation of railway operators and their profitability.

This was originally published by Salicru.

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source= https://railway-news.com/ups-systems-in-railway-infrastructure/