Flexible medium voltage DC electric railway systems

The aim of this PhD programme is to investigate the next generation railway electrification systems, DC power electronic
traction transformers and technologies for integrating renewable sources, to challenge the traditional rail approach to
develop innovative and breakthrough technological concepts.
The key objectives of the project are:
- to introduce new high-efficiency topologies of power conversion systems to convert medium-voltage AC power into
medium-voltage DC power with the capability of limiting the short-circuit current.
- to investigate the impact of the forthcoming wide band-gap semiconductor devices in terms of efficiency and voltage
level for the converters of the feeder stations and in terms of weight and volume for the traction converters.
- to understand how the new railway electrification system should be controlled and protected when renewable power
sources are integrated.
- to work with industrial stakeholders to investigate the marketability of the new electrification system and trains.