Elering and TUT Research: Rail Baltic to Receive Electricity From Four Substations

According to a study conducted by Elering and Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia’s electricity system is capable of offering power to the Rail Baltic international railroad connection. In Estonia, four substations need to be planned on the railroad route.

Within the framework of the study, entitled “Elektriraudtee ja selle mõjud elektrisüsteemi talitusele,” which has been published in cooperation with Elering and the Department of Electrical Power Engineering at TUT, analysis models were developed to help calculate the impact of transporting electricity on the electricity system and consumers. According to Member of the Elering Board and Head of Asset Management, Kalle Kilk, this study has been helpful in making preparations to connect the planned Rail Baltic international railroad connection to Estonia’s electricity system. “The planned Rail Baltic international railroad connection can be connected to Estonia’s electricity system through four substations that are on the route. During the study, we made additional recommendations on how to add the electric railway to the network in such a way that it would have as little impact and cost to the country and consumers as possible.”

The aim of the study is to prepare for the connection of Rail Baltic to Estonia’s electricity system. At the moment, four substations are planned to act as supply points along the route, being situated at locations such as Häädemeeste, Kehtna and Aruküla or Järveküla. According to the present timetable, preparations for Rail Baltic electrification work should start in 2019, with the railway itself scheduled to be finished by the end of 2025.

The published study is available on Elering’s website.

Tallinn University of Technology, which was founded in 1918, is the only Estonian university of technology, whose uniqueness lies in the synergy of engineering, natural, exact, social and health sciences. TUT is responsible for supporting the next generation of engineers and scientists, adding to a number totalling 65,000. As a result, TUT is Estonia’s primary business and economic engine.

Elering manages Estonia’s electricity and gas transmission system to ensure a high quality supply of energy to Estonian consumers at any given time. As part of that, Elering is constantly looking for and developing new courses of action to make Estonia’s energy economy more innovative and competitive through the development of a competence centre.