Document Type

Theses, Masters

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

Transport engineering, Transport planning and social aspects of transport

Publication Details

A thesis submitted to the Technological University Dublin for the award of Masters of Philosophy, to the School of Spatial Planning and Transport Engineering, 2015.

Abstract

The aim of this research has been to identify the energy consumption requirements of the Luas network, and present practical, cost effective solutions to reducing this energy consumption. To satisfy this, Luas energy consumption data was gathered from a number of sources including the manipulation of existing Luas systems such as PS Scada, the installation of new systems including Powersoft and the specific testing of Luas rolling stock and infrastructure components. Evaluation of this data and the establishment of the Luas energy load allowed for the identification of areas where excessive energy was being consumed. New technologies, industry best practices and efficient operational procedures throughout the European light rail industry were researched and investigated to determine their feasibility for implementation on the Luas light rail network. The energy reduction solutions identified as part of this research include modifications to existing systems such as the Luas passenger saloon heating and ventilation system which has the capacity to save over 1,400,000 kWh of energy and the installation of efficient lighting technologies such as LED’s and Induction lighting which would result in a saving of over 429,667 kWh of energy per year. Specific testing also took place to establish and develop optimal driving styles for Luas vehicles which has the potential to reduce total traction power by 5%. Efficient operational processes including a depot energy management process were devised and implemented during this research and have resulted in energy reductions at both Luas depots of 60%. Long term sustainability solutions such as renewable energy generation and energy storage systems were also consulted and evaluated to determine their suitability for Luas. In total the energy reduction solutions identified as a result of this research have the potential to reduce Luas energy consumption by 3,200,000 kWh, representing a 15% reduction of total Luas energy. The research results and related recommendations have been made to the research partners through this thesis.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21427/D7FP51

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