Möjligheten att ersätta elektrisk växelvärme med fjärrvärme för järnvägsväxlar i Sverige
2025 (Swedish)Independent thesis Basic level (professional degree), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Railway switches are vital components for efficient and safe rail traffic, especially in winter when snow and ice can disrupt operations. In Sweden, electric heating systems are commonly used to keep switches operational, but they are energy-intensive and costly to run. This thesis investigates the potential of replacing electric switch heating with district heating, using case studies from the Halmstad and Hallsberg railroad yards. The study applies technical calculations, literature review, and economic analyses to evaluate energy demand, investment requirements, and long-term savings. Findings show that district heating is technically feasible and can reduce electricity consumption by up to 90%, particularly when utilizing return heat. Economic viability is most evident in larger facilities, where the payback period can be less than ten years. The conclusion is that district heating offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to electric systems, especially in urban areas with existing district heating infrastructure. Implementation, however, requires detailed planning, coordination between infrastructure owners and energy providers, and adjustments to existing control systems. This study provides new insights into energy synergies between the transport and heating sectors and highlights the potential for integration into future low-carbon energy networks.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 26
Series
Helge Averfalk
Keywords [sv]
växelvärme, fjärrvärme, järnväg, energisystem, vinterdrift, energibesparing, infrastruktur
National Category
Energy Systems Infrastructure Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-57448OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-57448DiVA, id: diva2:2002488
External cooperation
WSP; HEM
Educational program
Sustainable Energy Engineer, 180 credits
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-10-012025-09-302025-10-01Bibliographically approved