Electricity is a vital energy source that fuels transport systems like railway networks. It’s also widely used to charge batteries for electric vehicles.
According to the Annual Energy Outlook 2022, electricity use in transport will increase sharply until 2050. Thus, this energy is expected to become the second most used energy for transport in 2050. This is an unsurprising result of developing energy efficiency policies to have greener transportation infrastructure.
But do you know how to generate and transmit this energy to mass transit? Or how the energy sector can monitor the energy delivery process as per standard? Keep reading and find out the answer in this article.
What is an Energy Delivery system?
An energy delivery system is a network of subsystems that deliver energy for different uses (e.g., transit or households). As such, it produces, transfers, and distributes energy from the energy storage to the energy converter.
The system is essential for the safe and efficient operation of North America’s power facilities. It uses computer-based control systems to manage and operate energy facilities. This system also involves electronic equipment and human staff monitoring the energy delivery process effectively.
Energy delivery systems are the heart of the energy industry that covers the generation and sale of energy like oil, coal, or electrical power. But this article only focuses on electricity as energy to fuel US-based public transport. So the energy delivery system mentioned in this article refers to a set of facilities used to transport electricity to metros and trams.
Electricity as an energy
Electricity is a secondary energy source mostly produced with steam turbines. These turbines mainly use natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy to generate electricity in the US.
Below are changes in significant energy sources used to produce electricity over the years:
After being produced in power plants, electricity goes through a complicated network known as the “grid.” This electric power grid includes substations, transformers, and power lines to connect providers with end-users (e.g., households or public transport).
In the US, electricity comes from different types of providers. For example, some utility companies have power plants to generate and sell electricity. Meanwhile, other companies buy this energy from a wholesale market, independent power producers, and more. Further, the US imports electricity from Canada and Mexico every year.
Process of delivering electricity as an energy
As mentioned, power plants use steam turbines to produce electricity. When the electricity enters electric substations near power plants, step-up transformers will increase its voltage to the required level of the transmission grid. After moving to transmission systems, the energy will be delivered over a long distance using high-voltage power lines.
When the energy comes to distribution systems, transformers will reduce their voltage to a safer level. Low-voltage power lines transport the energy to user locations. Service transformers can drop the voltage to regulated levels for different users. For example, the voltage for US households is 120 or 240 volts.
The energy delivery system works similarly to supply power for railway networks and trains. But compared with households, the voltage of US railway trains and trams is much higher, at least 600 volts.
There are two standard systems to provide the energy that moves trains along tracks:
- Overhead wires: Overhead lines are known as overhead catenary systems. They are electrical cables hung from tunnel ceilings or poles along the track. These wires are widely used for trams, trolleybuses, or electric locomotives.
- Third rails: Third rail systems provide energy to trains by using semi-continuous rigid conductors mounted alongside or between rails in cable tray and ladder systems—these systems suit rapid train systems or mass transit.
Electrified transit uses devices like a sectionalizing switch to make the electric delivery system more secure and reliable. The switch is an automatic device that can be manually operated or remotely monitored. Its uses are disconnecting rectifiers, activating UPS systems, and more when any fault arises.
These switches are critical as they ensure control systems work safely. But some studies show that wrongly placing switches in a distribution network can reduce their performance, affecting the process of transmitting energy. So, you must work with a reliable producer to install these devices in the right place.
Manage power grids as per standard
The US power system has multiple connected local power grids that set up larger networks.
The US has two main power regions, including the Eastern and the Western Interconnections. These networks are also linked to the Canadian power grid. Also, the US power system has the Texas Interconnection—a minor power system covering most of Texas.
These networks pool the generation and load of power. Thus, they help reduce generation costs and allow energy sharing between generators. Further, these networks provide standard reserves to limit pauses in service to users, which keeps power grids safe and reliable.
Balancing authorities are in charge of local electric systems. The two main networks have multiple regional balancing authorities. Meanwhile, the Texas zone is only managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
These entities must supply enough power to meet expected demand in real-time. Regional or wide-area blackouts can arise if they fail to balance the power demand and supply. So this balance is essential to maintain the reliable operation of the energy system.
Balancing authorities operate under mandatory reliability standards enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These standards help these entities maintain proper operations and solve crucial concerns about electric grids. Thus, ensuring the safety of energy systems and making plans for the future energy demands of users.
In closing
This article overviews how an energy delivery system transfers electricity to railway networks. This system involves many facilities, equipment, and people who monitor the system. So it’s essential to work with leading producers of electric utility products if you want to build a reliable energy system for mass transit.
