Photovoltaic level crossing
Success cases of ENA Tecnología
ENA Tecnología has a level crossing protection system approved by ADIF, characterized due to the fact that no cables are required for the detection or supervision of the system. This reduces civil work costs by up to 80% compared to a conventional installation with cable links.
One of the problems we may face while protecting a level crossing in open track is to obtain a nearby power supply. With its independent photovoltaic solution, our level crossing achieves full self-sufficiency in energy, not depending on any electrical infrastructure.
One of the many advantages offered by this photovoltaic system, is that there are no additional costs, either by the lack of electricity supply, or by the difficult and long cable ducts.
Below is a description of the different elements that compose a photovoltaic level crossing protection installation, with images of the level crossing that ENA Tecnología has in service since April 2012, on the railway line Oviedo – Santander of Adif (Spain):
Main Control Cabin
It is the place where the control equipment that governs and supervises both the protections to the road and the peripherals of detection and supervision are located. The communication between these elements is done through radiofrequency wireless links.
This cabin incorporates a subsystem of photovoltaic power supply, composed by a regulator, photovoltaic panels and batteries that are dimensioned based on the solar radiation of the zone, the consumption of the equipments that compose them and the autonomy that is tried in each case.
We have a wide experience in national and international projects.
Signal control cabinet, railway signal and ASFA beacon
The railway signal is the one that indicates the state of protection offered by the level crossing: protected or unprotected. The led’s panel that represents these indications can be created with the desired figures and colours.
In the signal control cabinet is located the control equipment of the railway signal, the subsystem of power supply and the subsystem of radio communications.
Like the main control cabin, this cabinet has its own independent energy subsystem.
Warning control cabinet
It is the place where the train detection equipment is located, which controls the information sent by the directional pedal located in the rail.
Same as the signal cabinet, this cabinet has its own independent energy subsystem and a radio communication with the main control.
