Electricity usage charges.
 

Does anyone know how train operators using electric power are charged for the electricity they use ?

I was watching a video of double headed 86's on freight last night and the question came into my head.

50p in the meter?:D

The cost of overhead supply was reputed to be one reason why the NSWR electric loco fleet was kyboshed here approaching privatization.
After the schism in 1994 / 1995 when the SRA was split up into individual operational facets, Frightcorp was charged for all overhead usage.
That including raising a pan in LMC depot to test a unit after maintenance.
Originally the NSWR had it's own power stations to generate current for the overhead.
Being dispatched to the numerous substations enroute.
But, them power stations were kyboshed and power acquired from domestic generation plants.
I would imagine that a main reason for the kybosh of our electric loco fleet being the relative short distance of overhead travel in the general scheme of things.
AND, that our woeful 1500 volt DC overhead is today outmoded for heavy freight haulage.
Quad weasels can drag much more black diamond tonnage over them Blue Mountains than could our buzz boxes.
And, no need to stop to swap motive power where that junk in the atmosphere starts swinging.
As more of the private autonomous metro sneaks around smog hollow, plus the private light rail dingus encroaches the suburbs, I do fear for the longevity of the governmental commuter heavy rail network.
We had the opportunity to convert the smog hollow network to 25 kVA back in the 1980s.
But, the pricetag was enormous.
Plus, politically threatening with the enormous disruption to the network.
Suburban emus replaced with omnibuses for many months.
The cattle would go berserk.
Just how much moolah them private Metro and SLR mobs are charged for the overhead supply consumption, I have no idea.
Yes there is a trammie motorman at the helm of them SLR dingi.
But, NO hogger at the helm of them autonomous Metro dingi.
No tailgunner neither.
Hence big cost saving right there.
The vast electrified network in Bananaland is also dwindling in freight usage.
Weasels returning after privatization.
The QR adopted 25 kVA from the start in 1978.
Hence the QR coalies were massive for narrow gauge, two buzz boxes up front and two remotely controlled mid train buzz boxes.
But, I would guess that the cost of overhead supply was enormous.
That system supplied from domestic generation.
Far fewer buzz boxes drag freighters around the QR network today.
Steve.

This is what the "Network Rail Energy Management Toolkit" guidance note says about the subject:

Traction Electricity
The Traction Electricity contract was signed with EDF Energy in January 2013 and runs for 10 years from 1st October 2014 to 30th September 2024. The scope includes all imported electricity through traction supply points (around 120) and the export of surplus regenerated electricity. It is a flexible contract and the only element fixed at the outset was the management fee. All other cost elements are passed through by EDF Energy once the actual rates are known.

Total Consumption in 2016-17 is around 3,400,000,000 kWh (3,400GWh) and will cost around £300m.

Some of the “traction” electricity is used for non-traction purposes (Non-Traction from Traction NTfT): signalling on the West Coast route & in South East & Wessex Routes, Euston Station and Merseyside underground stations. It is good to use traction derived electricity because the supply is more secure but the offtakes must be metered.

Appendix A shows a breakdown of the various cost elements. The commodity or power station gate price now makes up less than half of the total cost. The price must be locked ahead of the month of delivery. Network Rail has passed responsibility for locking the price to the train operators (except for the NTfT portion). The commodity price can be locked up to the end of the contract.

The rate paid to EDF Energy is the same for each hour in any calendar month but will vary from month to month. The only other time variation in the rate is for the period between 16:00-19:00, Mon-Fri, Nov-Feb, when the Capacity Market and Transmission costs are charged. The majority of Distribution charges are fixed for the year or related to the agreed capacity.

New Traction connections or changes should be discussed with Alan Bullock in the central Energy Management Team.

Non-Traction Electricity
The Non-traction Electricity contract is with npower and runs from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2020, with options to extend up to 31st March 2023. The scope includes all supplies to all operational sites and directly managed offices. It does not yet include most Commercial Property sites.

Total Consumption in 2016-17 is around 440,000,000 kWh (440 GWh) and will cost around £48m.

The portfolio is split into 2 portions: sites that are Half-Hourly (HH) metered (around 500 sites) and non half-hourly (NHH) metered (7,300 sites).

Rates for Half-hourly metered sites vary each quarter and for day (07:00-24:00) and night. Many other cost elements are passed through as for Traction including Transmission and Capacity (see appendix A). Distribution charges include Capacity charges and “peak” unit rates.

NHH rates are dependent on the metering classification for the site, i.e single rate, Day/Night, Evening Weekend or Evening Weekend Day/Night. With the installation of smart meters, the tariffs available may change to encourage energy reduction at certain times of day.

New Connection or supply change requirements should be discussed with the Route Utilities Specialists before following the Utilities Change Standard.

I believe it's part of TOC's and FOC's track access fee, which covers all NR's infrastructure renewal & replacement costs, plus energy consumption.

Google Track Access Charges for lots of boring blurb :rolleyes:

BW

Apologies for not reading the question properly.:(

No worries John, you posted some interesting facts.

I wasn't being snotty, I really just added the 'bolding' to show what I was responding to.

Another interesting discussion, and there's always something to learn. :D

Cheers, BW