Eurostars project, ICECONTROL, 9075, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden AB
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | SP SVERIGES TEKNISKA FORSKNINGSINSTITUT AB - SP Elektronik, Borås |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 000 000 |
| Project duration | October 2014 - December 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Eurostars |
Purpose and goal
The goal of the project was to develop a system to predict icing of overhead contact lines for railways. The system shall be able to prevent and remove icing. Scale model tests have shown that the ICECONTROL system can predict icing. When ice formation is predicted, a regulated short-circuit current is initiated. The level of the current is adapted for the actual situation (detailed railway data, current weather, and temperature of the contact line). The contact line is heated without unnecessary loss and with an energy optimized regulation.
Expected results and effects
The results from the ICECONTROL project shows that the proposed method works. Ice on contact lines is responsible for high costs in form of high wear on both trains and contact lines and also long service interruptions.
Planned approach and implementation
The ICECONTROL project consisted of SP and the two Spanish companies E2F and Amayuelas. The project had seven work packages were all partners participated in all work packages but the responsibility varied. Efficient on-line meetings have been combined with a few physical meetings at the start up and in conjunction with lab tests. The co-operation has been good with a clear distribution of responsibilities and a good information exchange. The project have had access to the competences needed for achieving the objectives and all partners will have use of the project results in the future.