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Enhancing Regional Rail Efficiency and Reducing Emissions with Dual Electric Traction Machine Drivetrain

Torkiharchegani, Amir LU and Alakula, Mats LU orcid (2025) In IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology
Abstract

This study investigates the potential of enhancing regional rail efficiency and reducing emissions through the implementation of dual Electric Traction Machine (ETM) drivetrains. By employing two ETMs, optionally with different specifications and real-time load distribution, the research evaluates the impact on energy savings and battery longevity. The analysis is based on a comparative simulation study between single and dual ETM configurations, emphasizing energy consumption and environmental impact from both design and control perspectives. Simulation results for the Borlänge-Malung railway corridor in Sweden indicate that energy consumption can be reduced by approximately 15-20%, depending on the torque-sharing strategy and size... (More)

This study investigates the potential of enhancing regional rail efficiency and reducing emissions through the implementation of dual Electric Traction Machine (ETM) drivetrains. By employing two ETMs, optionally with different specifications and real-time load distribution, the research evaluates the impact on energy savings and battery longevity. The analysis is based on a comparative simulation study between single and dual ETM configurations, emphasizing energy consumption and environmental impact from both design and control perspectives. Simulation results for the Borlänge-Malung railway corridor in Sweden indicate that energy consumption can be reduced by approximately 15-20%, depending on the torque-sharing strategy and size ratio between the ETMs. The study further illustrates the operational inefficiencies inherent in single-ETM systems and highlights the performance gains of dynamic torque splitting in dual-ETM configurations. A specific control strategy is proposed: the smaller ETM is prioritized during cruising, while both machines are utilized under high-power demands such as acceleration. This approach optimizes energy usage without compromising performance, contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective regional rail system. In terms of environmental impact, simulations based on the Swedish electricity mix show that the dual-ETM setup can reduce operational CO emissions by approximately 80 tons over a 40-year service life. Moreover, improved battery utilization extends battery life, reducing manufacturing-related CO emissions by an estimated 15 tons compared to the single-ETM configuration.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Battery lifetime, Drivetrain, Electric traction machine, Energy efficiency, Environmental impact, Regional rail, Torque distribution
in
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology
publisher
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105023312453
ISSN
0018-9545
DOI
10.1109/TVT.2025.3637539
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5ffdc849-4bfd-40e8-b089-8b15d465c5b2
date added to LUP
2026-02-04 11:05:16
date last changed
2026-02-04 11:06:27
@article{5ffdc849-4bfd-40e8-b089-8b15d465c5b2,
  abstract     = {{<p>This study investigates the potential of enhancing regional rail efficiency and reducing emissions through the implementation of dual Electric Traction Machine (ETM) drivetrains. By employing two ETMs, optionally with different specifications and real-time load distribution, the research evaluates the impact on energy savings and battery longevity. The analysis is based on a comparative simulation study between single and dual ETM configurations, emphasizing energy consumption and environmental impact from both design and control perspectives. Simulation results for the Borlänge-Malung railway corridor in Sweden indicate that energy consumption can be reduced by approximately 15-20%, depending on the torque-sharing strategy and size ratio between the ETMs. The study further illustrates the operational inefficiencies inherent in single-ETM systems and highlights the performance gains of dynamic torque splitting in dual-ETM configurations. A specific control strategy is proposed: the smaller ETM is prioritized during cruising, while both machines are utilized under high-power demands such as acceleration. This approach optimizes energy usage without compromising performance, contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective regional rail system. In terms of environmental impact, simulations based on the Swedish electricity mix show that the dual-ETM setup can reduce operational CO emissions by approximately 80 tons over a 40-year service life. Moreover, improved battery utilization extends battery life, reducing manufacturing-related CO emissions by an estimated 15 tons compared to the single-ETM configuration.</p>}},
  author       = {{Torkiharchegani, Amir and Alakula, Mats}},
  issn         = {{0018-9545}},
  keywords     = {{Battery lifetime; Drivetrain; Electric traction machine; Energy efficiency; Environmental impact; Regional rail; Torque distribution}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}},
  series       = {{IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology}},
  title        = {{Enhancing Regional Rail Efficiency and Reducing Emissions with Dual Electric Traction Machine Drivetrain}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2025.3637539}},
  doi          = {{10.1109/TVT.2025.3637539}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}