THE BATTERY SUBSTATION - ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT POWER

The use of batteries for traction power electrification was first introduced over 100 years ago, but since then, the battery substation was phased out. Within the last 5-10 years, through advances in power electronics, complex mass transit vehicles and more powerful and compact batteries, the time has come to look at alternative traction power electrification. This paper provides a discussion and evaluation of modern battery systems designed for traction power applications. The battery substation will be shown to provide great potential for reduced construction infrastructure cost, reduced energy cost and increased transit reliability. Typical system configuration, battery size and cost will be described, along with load flow analysis using modern transit vehicle parameters in conjunction with real life utility distribution systems and topology.