On August 30, the Bahntagung 2018 event was held at the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz Conference Centre in Lucerne.
Current developments in energy, traction, and automation technology
During the event, the project for the construction of a new 3kVdc railway power substation and a new electrical distribution cabin was presented, as well as the modifications to the existing traction lines and related connections, which were carried out by us.
The facility is located near the Chiasso station, alongside the existing railway line, and its purpose is to separate and manage the electrical infrastructure. The work is crucial for increasing the capacity of Italo-Swiss traffic along the Gotthard corridor and is part of a series of interventions involving technologies and infrastructure currently being implemented by the Swiss Federal Railways.
On May 27, 2018, the first train powered by the new technological systems (TE cabin and electrical substation) passed through the Swiss station of Chiasso (the border point between the Italian and Swiss networks). The project defines a new configuration for the Italian-Swiss power supply system, featuring innovative aspects in both architecture and equipment, and will allow for an increase in traffic capacity along the Gotthard corridor, as well as the separate management of the new Italian and Swiss systems.
The contract provided for the design, construction, and installation of a new electrical substation made of prefabricated container boxes, specially designed and built to SBB specifications. The substation is powered at 15 kV and conversion is performed by means of two 3 kVdc rectifier units of 5.4 MW each, from which the equipment for feeding the contact line branches out, consisting of 5 feeder switchboards, of which 4 are dedicated to feeding the contact line and one for powering the new TE cabin. Furthermore, the substation is equipped with nine 3 kVdc disconnectors.
Within the same facility, a new TE substation was designed, built, and installed, also housed in prefabricated container boxes custom-made to SBB specifications. The TE substation consists of a short-circulter compartment and 5 feeder switchgear panels, of which 4 are dedicated to feeding the contact line and one for the incoming power supply from the TSS (traction substation). The TE substation is equipped with 11 3kV DC disconnectors.
The facility is equipped with an innovative newly designed protection system against undue tension, specifically engineered for this project.