A Methodology for Power Dispatch Based on Traction Station Clusters in the Flexible Traction Power Supply System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new power dispatch methodology for flexible traction power supply systems using traction station clusters, simplifying control and improving power flow management under uncertain train loads.

Contribution

It proposes a novel TSC-based power dispatch approach with an equivalent model, phase angle control, and three modes for handling load uncertainties, enhancing system flexibility and computational efficiency.

Findings

Effective power dispatch under complex conditions demonstrated

Enhanced power flow control with three load management modes

Validated methodology through detailed train operation scenarios

Abstract

The flexible traction power supply system (FTPSS) eliminates the neutral zone but leads to increased complexity in power flow coordinated control and power mismatch. To address these challenges, the methodology for power dispatch (PD) based on traction station clusters (TSCs) in FTPSS is proposed, in which each TSC with a consistent structure performs independent local phase angle control. First, to simplify the PD problem of TSCs, the system is transformed into an equivalent model with constant topology, resulting in it can be solved by univariate numerical optimization with higher computational performance. Next, the calculation method of the feasible phase angle domain under strict and relaxed power circulation constraints are described, respectively, which ensures that power circulation can be either eliminated or precisely controlled. Finally, the PD method with three unique modes for uncertain train loads is introduced to enhance power flow flexibility: specified power distribution coefficients between traction substations (TSs), constant output power of TSs, and maximum consumption of renewable resources within TSs. In the experimental section, the performance of the TSC methodology for PD is verified through detailed train operation scenarios.