MV7 Variable Frequency Drives (VSI)

By Ed Torres.

ChallengeThe customer required a converter station capable of converting the energy from a public 220 kV 50 Hz grid to a level required for the railway-operated 110 kV 16.7 Hz distribution grid. The key objectives of the project were to achieve the highest conversion efficiency, reliability and system availability at the lowest possible cost.

ChallengeTo increase speed and capacity on a segment of ca. 50 km along the European Corridor CE30 from Knappenrohde, Germany to the system interface at the polish border, Deutsche Bahn extends and electrifies an existing rail line. As part of this project, a static converter station to feed the 16.7 Hz 15 kV overhead catenaries was contracted as a turn-key project in Lohsa, Germany to a consortium lead by Power Conversion & Storage.

ChallengeTo increase availability and reduce maintenance efforts while maintaining the traction power supply service level at the lowest possible cost, DB wished to replace its existing rotating equipment in Bützow and Schwerin (Germany). For both locations, two static converter stations of 2x15 MW each to feed the 16.7 Hz 15 kV overhead catenaries were contracted as a turn-key project to a consortium with Power Conversion & Storage as the key participant. The systems are currently in commissioning phase.

In 2014, GE Vernova’s Power Conversion & Storage business delivered and commissioned the SFC systems for the Bauhinia electrification project in Australia. It was the very first time that power electronic converters were employed to feed a 50 Hz electric railway.System OverviewThe project encompassed two independent feeder stations, each featuring a 19 MVA converter system based on Power Conversion & Storage’s proven MV7000 converter technology. 

In 2016, GE Vernova’s Power Conversion & Storage business delivered and commissioned the SFC systems for the Moreton Bay Rail link project in Australia. This was the first implementation of SFC technology in an Australian metropolitan rail network.