GE Static frequency converter For rail electrification

Power Conversion & Storage solution to help otimize power connections and stabilize catenary power distribution.

Operators are increasing voltage from 3 kV to 25 kV to increase line capacity and reduce substation counts.

A Static Frequency Converters (SFC) is an enabler of this transition,

particularly where the network grid capacity is limited.

Helping to connect to lower voltage connection to the grid, saving costs and deployment time.

To balance high renewable energy penetration in grid energy mix,

for greenfield projects (newly created lines), SFC substations can help ensure excellent

power quality from the grid, balance power between substations to avoid localized peaks,

facilitate power exchange between trains, and increase distance between substations,

reducing costs to connect to the transmission network.

SFC permits to decouple frequency and phase between

the catenary and the grid connections, enabling to

remove neutral sections along the catenary.

As reducing carbon emissions becomes a more pressing issue,

populations are looking for a way to reduce their travel emissions.

Electric railways are recognized as the optimal solution due to their

superior energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs.

This trend is supported by public investments as the rail operators need to increase

power capacity, pushing to upgrade old 3 kV DC distribution networks to 25 kV AC.

In certain countries, the single-phase railway network historically operates at a

frequency distinct from that of the public grid, rendering direct connections between the

two networks unfeasible and requiring frequency conversion.

In contemporary applications, Static Frequency Converters (SFCs) are employed when

the power capacity of the grid network serving the rail line is constrained or the cost and time

to bring a high voltage powerful grid network is prohibitive.

Additionally, some new rail line projects are integrating SFCs for enhanced system optimization.