Colloquia

Summary

The expectation is that the energy supply will become increasingly critical due to the reduction of available energy from fossil fuels. Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) is responding by taking responsibility for the social challenge of reducing climate change by setting the goal of achieving fossil-free traction energy by 2040. This goal can be achieved by matching energy demand with a sustainable energy supply at any hour of the day. Therefore, three possible solutions are researched: energy storage, the ideal resource mix for energy supply, and energy demand management.  

This study focuses on the third solution, energy demand management. In this, the possibilities for energy demand management in the design of the timetable are investigated. To achieve this goal, a methodology has been developed to support the development of a framework. The methodology helps to evolve the framework and to adapt it to a changing context. 

First, the methodology and the framework were developed generically, after which they were applied to the scope of the research. The framework aims to indicate which steps can be taken to gain insight in the energy demand profile of the train schedule and which variables influence these steps. Using a case study, the application and functioning of the framework is demonstrated for a scenario within NS. 

Several levels of application become apparent from this study: the methodology, the framework, and the case study, influencing and supporting each other in the development. As this contains a multi-level application, the validation is also multi-level. Based on the validation, recommendations on the implementation of the framework are provided. 

In conclusion, the developed methodology offers support in developing a framework that can function in a changing environment while adapting to changes in the context. This results in a model for NS that indicates how steps can be identified to realise energy demand management in the timetable design while identifying what variables are involved.