Development of a High-Precision and Flexible Model for Accurate Simulation of Trolleybus Grids

Abstract

The reduction of climate-changing emissions is vital, particularly in urban areas. To achieve this goal, the decarbonization of the transport sector is decisive. Trolleybus systems represent a solution towards sustainability as long as the integration of the electrical infrastructure with renewable sources as well as the introduction of full-electric fleets are actualized. To ensure a smart electrical transition the circuit modelling phase is crucial and must enable the most accurate simulations possible. The modularity of the catenary model and a versatile graphical user interface, which allows extensive topological change flexibility, distinguish the novel trolleybus network simulator presented in this study. The model completes the gaps left by earlier block-based simulation tools with its high precision and low processing effort. The suggested model’s enhancement in precision is evidenced by a graphical study of the voltage distribution examined in a Section of Bologna’s trolleybus grid. Finally, albeit non-iterative and thus computationally even cheaper, the proposed model is applicable for the simulation of more complex realistic scenarios involving the non-linearity of the equivalent power grid. The article will show satisfactory results on the convergence of the simulator.

Keywords

• Catenary model
• circuit modelling
• electric mobility
• motion-based model
• smart DC grid
• trolleybus