Metro de Madrid

European distribution and urban rail networks face common issues, as both have been developed as independent networks, relying on the resilience and robustness of existing power supplies.

However, the growth of renewable energy and the ever-increasing penetration of electric vehicle charging has introduced an increasing degree of complexity and uncertainty on the future nature of power flows on electricity distribution networks, this at a time when many metro operators seek to increase the number of trains operating on their rails.

Now successfully tested on the Metro de Madrid in Spain, the European funded E-Lobster project has proven an innovative Railway to Grid management system, utilising TPS power electronics technology to reduce energy losses in power distribution and urban rail networks.