Influence of inverter design and control on the energy consumption of electric locomotives

The following paper presents an analysis of the energy consumption of modern inverter locomotives. Two-level and three-level inverters with GTO thyristors as well as different control strategies are compared. The results are based on measurements and calculations and include energy for traction as well as that for losses and auxiliaries. As a perspective, inverters with high power IGBTs are included by calculation. All results reveal the economic importance of an optimal locomotive design with respect to minimal energy consumption in scheduled train service.