Keywords: railway, traction, electric, energy, storage, smart, grid, automation, train, generation, telecommunication, innovation.

Electric railway traction systems consist of a system for distribution of electrical energy from grid connection points to electric trains in combination with multiple trains which present rapidly fluctuating physically moving electrical loads that also act as a source of generation during train braking. The smart grid is an emerging and developing concept for the power generation, transmission and distribution industry, the definition and application of which is subject to wide and varied interpretation. In its mature form a smart grid will have the potential to assist electricity network owners and operators in responding to forthcoming changes in the profile and location of generation and demand whilst meeting the business need for increased energy efficiency, carbon minimisation, and maximised infrastructure utilisation.

A cross-industry approach has been applied, through collaboration across rail and power sectors, to consider and identify the potential for smart grid principles to be applied to railway traction systems. This is with focus on application to the United Kingdom scenario however the principles can also be applied to other geographies.

The principles underlying the smart grid concept are outlined in terms of what is meant by a true smart grid, examples of real smart grid system approaches, together with a proposed definition. Issues, drivers and opportunities for railway traction systems and, synergistically, for the electricity grid are identified and discussed. These include the nature and profile of traction demand, large scale expansion in electrification of the rail network, future grid loading profiles and generation intermittency, and increasing energy costs. Available and emerging enabling technologies are identified and their possible application described. These include energy storage in various forms, flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) and other electronic power conversion, and information and communication technology (ICT) enabling network management and automation. The potential for integration with other anticipated future transport modes, including public and private electric vehicles, is also considered. Innovation in business models, rather than technology alone, is advocated to yield maximum benefits for a variety of stakeholders, including rail operators and owners, rail users and grid operators and owners.

A vision for the future is proffered in which the complete railway traction system is considered and integrated as part of the wider grid, facilitated by and operating based on the principles for a smart grid. Some possible next steps to develop concepts contributing incrementally towards this vision and for establishing their feasibility are outlined.

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