Expert required - advice on mainline rail power supply upgrade

[mrgoldthorpe]

I have been asked in a private capacity by a contact to seek the name of an acknowledged expert, preferably UK based, to provide advice, and if necessary check calculations, concerning the supply of electrical power from the National Grid to a mainline railway. The issue is whether a planned upgrade of an existing infrastructure is really necessary. I don´t know the full details, but the issues involve the uprating of voltage and the enlargement of the transformer site. The contact is representing nearby villagers and local council who wish to know whether such a large upgrade is necessary. The appointed person will of course be paid a fee for the work.

I am in the mechanical field and don´t have contacts in heavy electrical engineering. Could anyone in the UK (for elsewhere for that matter) provide me with a name or list of names of people in the academic or commerical world who can carry out such kind of work?

Thanks in anticipation.

http://www.analysis.demon.co.uk

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://www.energy-directory.com/links/energycom/energycompanies.htm

for: British Energy

http://www.british-energy.com/

 

[ScottyUK]

A couple of possibilities are:

ERA Technology at Leatherhead. +44 1372 367000 is the switchboard number.

PB Power at Newcastle. +44 191 226 1899 is the switrchboard number.


Both are consultant engineering specialists. Neither is renowned for being cheap to employ, but both are very well respected companies who will produce a first-class report and carry out modelling as required. It would be wise to check there is no conflict of interest - PB in particular often act as the owner's engineer on this type of project.


jB:
British Energy is a nuclear power generator, not a rail consultant. their expertise in this field is, to say the least, likely to be limited.






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Start each new day with a smile.

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[dwraith]

The Institution Of Electrical Engineers has a Consultants Directory, try

http://consultants.iee.org/.

Search for "transmission" "power system" or similar. Contact me on dwraith@handsa.co.uk if you need further assistance.

 

[tomatge]

ScottyUK

Unfortunately, both PB Power and ERA would gain some significant revenue from the UK electrical companies, as would most of the major electrical consulting companies. Conflict of interest may well be an issue.

Since it would appear that the intent here is to dispute the need for infrastructure expansion, possibly Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace etc. may be a better bet. These organisations would certainly have availability of experts who could help.

However, I would suspect it unlikely that this will lead to much. National Grid, since the days of privatisation and regulation, are not known for throwing money around unnecessarily!!

 

[ScottyUK]

Hi Tom,

I agree - I used to work for ERA, so I'm definitely aware of their customers. At the time I worked for them, I think they would have been prepared to undertake a study and provide an impartial report, but that is what it would be - impartial, unlike some consultants who will slant the report in whichever direction you ask for.

PB might well be involved in the project directly, which would clearly be an unacceptable conflict of interest.



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Start each new day with a smile.

Get it over with.

 

[mrgoldthorpe]

Thanks for all your replies. I've got a list of potential names to pass on.

http://www.analysis.demon.co.uk

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: If there is a need for faster trains consuming more electrical energy, an extra nuclear power plant or two would be beneficial, e.g. approximately 1200MW to 1500MW per plant.

 

[ScottyUK]

jB,

What on earth are you talking about?? The question relates to finding a consultant to study a proposal to uprate a 25kV mainline traction substation. Your seemingly random idea to add 3GW of nuclear generation to the UK's grid because it is 'beneficial' has zero relevance to the problem being discussed.








-----------------------------------

Start each new day with a smile.

Get it over with.

 

[jbartos]

Comment: I beg your pardon, I just thought that the trains will be upgraded and run faster on 25kV just like in France, and consume much more electrical energy. Incidentally, the nuclear power plants do not run at full capacity all the time. Therefore, some derating factor must be applied to 3GW. Even, if the trains consumed 1.5GW only (peaking) additional 1.5GW or less would be beneficial to have for other consumers to replace the aging power plants. There are many electric trains in Britain, including those running to France under the chunnel.