Reflections of Pablo Briceño
In our serie "What does the future bring?" our ESR's are sharing their perspective. This serie is linked to the Horizon Magazine article published on Monday, March 13 2024 which focusses on EU support for Ukrainian researchers including ETUT project regarding "Building bridges between Ukrainian and EU researchers" featuring Regis Nibaruta, Ivan Struzhko, Vladimir Havryliuk, Gert Rietveld and Frank Leferink. The full article can be found https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/building-bridges-between-ukrainian-and-eu-researchers By Andrew Dunne.
Via Cordis, the project is described as'the ETUT project will model, design, estimate, quantify and monitor economic measures for a reliable, safe, effective and greener electrical transport system. The training programme will include innovative methods to be applied in electric transport... it may have far reaching consequences and may even see the railway network supporting or replacing local electrical utility networks' Can you explain the problem specifically? In simple terms, what exactly is the electrical engineering challenge in terms of future electric transport systems and what's the link with local electrical utility networks too?
The European electrified and non-electrified railway network is vast. In the case of no-electrified routes, there are attempts to eliminate the pollution using energy storage devices onboard in the traction system or find new ways to reduce the cost of electrification. On the other hand, the electrified routes have the challenge of improving the energy quality, reducing the unbalance in the power grid, incorporating more renewable sources and being more reliable, among others.
The challenges for the future are the Power Electronics use and energy storage devices on the railway system. Power Electronics gives more flexibility to the electrical system in terms of energy storage, entry of greener energy sources, interconnection with other electrical systems operating at different frequencies or voltages, and improving the quality of the current and voltages, among others.
When we spoke you described these two areas of electrical engineering where the main focus was - electromagnetic compatibility and power electronics. Can you give me examples of the kind of devices that might benefit from improvements to both and can you explain the link with these two areas and future electric transport systems?
The list of devices could it be vast. But in general, sensors, lights, heating, overhead lines, electric motors, semiconductors, and communication devices, among others.
Power electronics devices generate non-intentional electromagnetic interference. There is a challenge to incorporate simple additional devices or control strategies to mitigate that interference without a significant reduction of efficiency or a surge in cost. A good solution is to include electromagnetic radiation awareness in the design of the power electronics equipment.
Are there any examples of really applied research which you are currently conducting which relates to electric transport systems which we can talk about? Can you explain what you are working on - in an applied sense - with whom, and how?
Different scholars have developed solutions to mitigate unbalance in the power grid, improve efficiency and eliminate bulky and costly old solutions (like Railway Power Conditioner and Active Filters). Other solutions for non-electrified routes, are batteries and fuel cells as the main energy source on board trains and their respective power converters.
The principal idea for this research is to implement Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) or Inductive Power Transfer in a train capable of completing the journey with the same capacity as the traditional one. The principal purpose is to demonstrate that this technology can be implemented in a railway and as an alternative to electrifying the routes without overhead lines or a third rail. The contactless technology will be able to deliver several amounts of power for a train in motion and allows for reducing the battery mass on board or increasing the autonomy of the battery trains. This work focused on the United Kingdom in the routes without electrification.
What is the long-term hope with this work? From a research point of view, what are YOUR long-term motivations for this all is and what are the impacts he envisages in the future (i.e. who does he see will benefit from this research in the future, and how?).
Stationary Wireless Power Transfer (charging while the vehicle is stopped) is a technology tested on electric vehicles already. Indeed, there are standards and products available. On the other hand, Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (charging while the vehicle is in motion) is being developed, especially for high power ratings (like railways) is a new area for exploring.
I hope to contribute ideas to improve the WPT technology and reach power ratings around MW with high efficiency, and I believe this technology will be implemented in the coming years. I am sure that WPT technology will not replace the overhead lines in all scenarios, but at least it will suitable for complicated routes or in parts of this.
Could I get a reflection from you on the importance of developing future electric transport systems in view of climate change and emission reduction targets? Why is this issue you're tackling so important from an environmental perspective?
Nowadays, the European railway network plays a relevant role in passenger and freight transportation, reducing pollution and time trips. This demand will double by 2050. The main advantage of this train technology is the use of electricity which are more efficient, pollution free at the point of consumption and less expensive than cars and trucks. However, the principal weakness for defeating and reaching the decarbonization goal by 2040 and 2050 in Europe is to reduce the number of diesel units.