Amtrak's 25 Hz Traction Power System - Power Sources

Power Sources

See also: Traction current converter plant

Electrical power originates at seven generation or conversion facilities. The nameplate capacity of all the power sources in the system is about 354 MW. The instantaneous peak loading on the system is between 210-220 MW (as of c. 2009) during the morning rush hour, and up to 225 MW during afternoon. Peak load has risen significantly in the last decade - in 1997 the peak load was 148 MW. As a point of comparison, an HHP-8 electric locomotive is rated for a 6 MW (equivalent to 8,000 hp) mechanical output, after conversion and Head End Power losses.

Regardless of the source, all converter and generator plants supply power to the transmission system at 138 kV, 25 Hz, single phase, using two wires. Typically at least two separate 138 kV circuits follow each right of way to supply the lineside substations.

Currently, the following converter and generating plants are operable, although all are rarely in operation simultaneously due to maintenance shutdowns and overhaul:

Location Capacity (MW) In-service Comments
Sunnyside Yard (Long Island) 30 c. 1996 Static Inverter
Metuchen 25 1933 Motor Generator
Richmond 180 2002 Static Inverter
Lamokin 48 1928 (3) Motor Generators
Safe Harbor 81 1938 (2) Water turbines; (1) Motor Generator
Jericho Park 20 1992 Static Cycloconverter
System Total Capacity 354

Three types of equipment are currently in operation: hydroelectric generators, motor-generators (sometimes called rotary frequency converters), and static frequency converters.

Read more about this topic:  Amtrak's 25 Hz Traction Power System

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