Accurate Distance Estimation of Battery Locomotive Based on Energy Balance Approach

In this paper, an energy balance approach has been proposed to determine the maximum distance travelled by the lithium-ion battery driven electric locomotive during catenary-free operation for any railway environment. Through an energy balance approach, an algorithm has been developed of maximum distance the battery can deliver as a function of several variables and further optimized proposing an algorithm to maximize the distance. This research further presents a mathematical model and dynamic simulation of an electric train from a railway electrification designer’s perspective, with real-life issues and design constraints considered and input into the model. Using MATLAB, the simulation model consists of the battery train’s longitudinal dynamics, electric system, and on-board energy storage has been developed. The results have been compared and validated with real life data of Australian railway standards to ensure accuracy and validity.