New technological challenges operating the 110 kV, 16.7 Hz grid for railway power supply in Germany

The liberalization of the energy and railway sector changed regulatory and economic boundaries, and posed new requirements for the topology and the operation of the 110 kV grid supplying the German railway system. Procurement of traction energy had to comply with the rules of regulated energy markets. Technical facilities are linked to the EEX markets for peak power, and thus require highly efficient and dependable connections to the public grid. The ongoing consolidation within supplier markets for technical components stipulates the use of standardized components in generation and transmission. The advances in power electronics and modern control systems open a way to utilize the opportunities of our present economic environment. State-of-the-art static converter stations, highly integrated control technology, and station automation tailored to railway needs facilitate an attractive access to the energy markets for railway systems.