PRL Parramatta Rail Link, Sydney Power System Study

Parramatta Rail Link (PRL) is a twin bore, 13 km long tunnel, which connects Chatswood with Epping. The power system consists of a 33 kV and 11 kV distribution network, and 1500 V DC traction substations. High operating safety and availability targets are required. ENOTRAC carried out a wide range of power studies using FABEL and SIMNET for the investigation of:

• Loadings on the rectifier substations
• Loadings on 33 kV feeders
• Overhead wiring (loadings, voltages, and conductor temperature
• Rail potential
• Effect of a stranded train on the equipment loadings

RailCorp owns and maintains a large railway stretching over more than 150 km from Newcastle (north) to Kiama (south) and 100 km from Lithgow (west) to Sydney Central Business District.

• A large increase in train services will require a considerable upgrade in the power system infrastructure running into several $100 million Australian dollars. Making the right investment decision is therefore crucial to achieve value for money, and can only be achieved by full scale modelling and simulation. With such a large network, the modelling is complex and requires considerable technical effort and careful planning. RailCorp purchased FABEL for this purpose.
• ENOTRAC introduced the multi-train simulator FABEL within the RailCorp corporate environment. ENOTRAC developed a modelling strategy regarding conventions, level of details and quality in order to simplify and standardise the modelling process. ENOTRAC also carried out on-site training of RailCorp engineers and has since provided extensive engineering and IT support under a long term agreement.