The technology, called Rail SFC (Static Frequency Converter) Light, ensures reliable, stable power and reduces energy losses for the newly-expanded Léman Express cross border commuter service.
The Léman Express is the largest cross-border regional railway system in Europe, linking commuters in France and Switzerland to Geneva’s lakeside, city center and airport, as well as to neighboring French cities across the border.
Launched in December 2019, the newly expanded Léman Express service comprises more than 230km of track, 45 stations and more than 240 trains crossing the French-Swiss border every day.
The Rail SFC Light converter is designed to feed 16.7Hz and 25Hz single phase railway grids while balancing the load on the three-phase feeding grid. Rail SFC Light also simplifies maintenance with direct access to the converter components that can be replaced quickly and individually if necessary.
With nominal power of 80MW, Rail SFC Light converters installed at Foretaille near Geneva’s international airport can power 13 large locomotives and deliver necessary power to the high-voltage network.
Overall, the solution will help SBB to supply uninterrupted power to its expanding Geneva rail network, while achieving a sustainability target of 100% rail power from renewable sources by 2025.
“Rail SFC Light is the world’s first multilevel converter based on IGCT (insulated-gate commutated thyristors) technology, which enables optimum efficiency of the traction energy supply system,” said Tobias Thurnherr-Schlumpf, global product manager for Rail SFCs. “Our solution stabilizes voltage, reduces peak demand, lowers the required number of feeding stations, and by adding more power to electric rail lines will help SBB safely and reliably transport up to 30,000 passengers per day.”