Chairman: Tony Mercado
RSSB committee member: David Knights
Secretary: Natasha Jones on 020 3142 5540
Introduction
The Vehicle/Train Energy System Interface Committee (V/TE SIC) was established to provide the focus for energy issues and assist the rail industry in evaluating and managing the key power supply system interfaces, as well as reducing energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency and developing longer term, sustainable energy strategies.
Scope
The scope of the V/TE SIC is defined in its remit and includes:
- Developing a strategic view of the long-term development path for the electrified rail networks
- Initiating projects to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the electrified networks and associated rolling stock
- Contributing towards the implementation and development of the energy aspects of the Rail Technical Strategy and the work programme of the Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG)
- Considering safety systems and processes relating to work in proximity to electrical equipment
- Considering vehicle mounted collection devices, return circuit, and vehicle earthing and its interaction with the electrification system.
Membership
The V/TE SIC has members representing the following industry stakeholders:
- Network Rail
- Passenger Train Operators
- Freight Operators
- Rolling Stock Companies (RoSCos)
- Suppliers
- Department for Transport (DfT)
- Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)
- RSSB
SIC programme
The SIC is redeveloping their programme of work. This will be made available once it is approved by the SIC. This programme covers completed and ongoing activities that V/TE SIC consider will assist the railway industry to manage all aspects of identified system interfaces in the most cost effective and efficient way, including:
- A review of the economics of the third-rail DC system
- The third-rail 750V DC power supply has been strengthened progressively but it is still a constraint on operations. The V/TE SIC supports a strategy of moving to the more efficient AC system of electrification
- On-board energy metering for electric traction
- Steady progress has been made to enable energy billing to be based on actual energy consumption
- Work to inform the Rail Technical Strategy
- Reduction in the cost of current electrification and the costs of energy storage, along with a view of what could be delivered by a future traffic management and control system
- A project to explore the nature, magnitude, availability and development timescales for future energy sources, and the long term implications for the sustainability of the rail transport system
- Establishing a business case to do more in-service splitting and joining of trains to more closely match capacity needs
- A project to evaluate the energy impacts as part of operating timetable development work and how this reflects on the speed profile of trains. This will link to the Driver Advisory Speed work of the V/TC&C SIC.
Research and development
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On behalf of the V/TE SIC, a guide has been produced of all research managed by the RSSB research programme. This booklet gives a general overview of research in this area that has been completed and also that which is currently in progress. Printed copies of the booklet can be requested by emailing research@rssb.co.uk. |
SIC sub-groups
The V/TE SIC subgroups were established to assist the railway industry in managing the work programmes for V/TE SIC in the most effective, safe and cost efficient way.
The V/TE committee has the following sub-groups:
- Future Electrification Group (FEG)
- Future Energy and Technology Group (FETG).