This report discusses the feasibility of temporarily shedding electrical demand associated with heating and ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) systems of passenger cars during periods of peak traction, with the goal of right-sizing the main engine on a passenger locomotive. Industrial approaches to load shedding were reviewed to evaluate whether they were suitable for locomotive applications. Train simulations were conducted to determine the maximum time at peak traction when load shedding would be required. Thermal simulations of a passenger coach were used to calculate the amount of time the coach interior would stay within the temperature comfort zone if the HVAC was deactivated, which indicated that under most nominal conditions deactivating HVAC systems during periods of peak traction would still lead to acceptable passenger comfort levels. Finally, an economic analysis was conducted to estimate the benefit of load shedding, and it showed that an appropriate load shedding strategy can be implemented without adversely impacting passenger comfort and the costs associated with a head end power (HEP) system.

See Also: Load Shedding - Phase II & III: Concept Development and Prototype Design for Passenger Rail Equipment