Openpowernet - the new co-simulation tool for traction power supply

Energy consumption of electrical railways is mainly influenced by the driving and propulsion efficiency characteristics of the trains as well as by the behaviour of the traction power supply system. For a realistic prognosis by simulation detailed information about the current power consumption, the actual position of the trains and the capability of the power supply network must be available at the same time. For this reason the idea was to create a new plug-in simulation module for railway power supply networks using the advantages of an existing commercial railway operation simulator. The new developed railway power supply simulation module called OpenPowerNet works together with the OpenTrack railway operation simulator as a so called "co-simulation". OpenPowerNet can simulate all common ACand DC-railway power supply systems taking into account the engine and train data and the entire electrical network structure.