Power chunnelling

[Softus]

I'm just curious - how the chunnel get its power? Is it provided by the UK, or France, or both (or neither)?

Extending the question, are there power lines running between UK and the rest of Europe? If so, how does this work? Are we all phase-sychronised? How are differences in generated voltage resolved? Who manages it all?

 

[breezer]

there has been a cable from france to the UK for years for electrictiy, dont know about the chunnel though

 

[Spark123]

I seem to remember the England-France link to the national grid is high voltage DC, hence synchronisation is not an issue. I believe the chunnel to be powered from both sides.

 

[Steve]

Which way does the electricity flow between France and UK? We could take advantage of France's clean nuclear power And does money change hands for the power recieved by either country?

 

[empip]

...The demands of the different power systems in the UK and mainland Europe means that each train has both pantographs for Europe and third-rail contact shoes for the UK and is tri-voltage (750 V DC, 25 kV 50 Hz, 3 kV DC). Five SNCF owned sets are quad-voltage (1500V DC) to allow them to work in southern France.

The trains also need to be able to accommodate three differing overhead catenaries; regular-height on Belgian and French domestic railways, higher through the Channel Tunnel and lower-height on LGV lines.

The Eurostar trains also have to be able run under four different signalling systems, the domestic systems of each country together with the TVM signalling on the LGV...

...Electricity supply for trains and auxiliary equipment
The power required for the trains and auxiliary equipment is supplied
by two principal power stations at each terminal and linked to the
national 400 kV networks ( Seeboard at Sellindge in Kent and
Electricite de France at Les Mandarins in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais )
Each network supplies half the requirement but each is capable of
supplying all the power ncessary for the whole system...

Euro style rolling stock is apparently higher and wider than in the UK... problems for standard Platforms, bridges, signalling equipment. etc

...A spokesman for the National Grid, the national electricity distribution network has revealed that on December 5, British electricity generators began supplying electricity to France where production has been affected by public sector strikes. Electricity is being fed into the French grid through a submarine cable under the English Channel. In more normal times, Electricite de France (EDF) is a major supplier of electricity to Britain, supplying 2,000 megawatts/day to the British network...

 

[tim west]

A spokesman for the National Grid, the national electricity distribution network has revealed that on December 5, British electricity generators began supplying electricity to France where production has been affected by public sector strikes.

UK=Blacklegs