HART will resolve electricity problems with special equipment
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
HART to install equipment to resolve electricity issues.
HART
HART trains can have a negative impact on the Honolulu power grid.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has 21 stations on its line. When a train stops at a station, then resumes its journey from a full stop, multiple bursts of power are needed to get the four-car train rolling. The Hawaiian Electric Company says its circuits are not designed for the change in voltage associated with a starting train, especially if multiple trains on the system are starting concurrently or within the same time frame.
The electric utility is concerned that these abrupt changes in voltage could cause problems, including equipment damage, for their customers on the same electrical circuit as HART. To combat this issue, HART has reportedly agreed to install equipment that will stabilize the voltage on the circuit.
The news outlet Honolulu Civil Beat reports that seven static synchronous compensators, or “STATCOMs” will be installed on the system’s western end by 2025. HART and the electric utility are working together to configure these units, then will install one on the system for testing.
To learn more about this issue and the entire HART project, see a report from consulting firm Hill International Inc. This firm was engaged by the Federal Transit Administration to review the HART project.
Read more articles about passenger rail.
