Hotel power is electricity generated on a train or ship for non-propulsion purposes, such as lighting and heating. It can be controlled independently from propulsion power and is critical for passenger comfort and safety. Companies specialize in building and maintaining these power systems.
Hotel power is power generated on a train or ship that is used for purposes other than propulsion. Also known as Hotel Electric Power (HEP), hotel power is used to provide various amenities for people on board, from electric lights to heating. Power systems on boats and trains are often designed to allow independent control of hotel power and power used for propulsion, allowing an operator to control power usage; For example, the hotel’s power may be reduced on a train going up a grade to ensure that the train has enough power to successfully climb the grade.
On a train, the locomotive or a separate generator car supplies the hotel’s power. Today’s trains use what is known as head-end power, which means power is generated from a single source and sent to the entire train, in contrast to historical systems, where each carriage generated its own power. Hotel Power provides power for lights, outlets, stoves, heaters, and anything else that requires electricity to run.
Hotel power is generated essentially for the benefit and comfort of passengers, rather than as a necessary part of the operation of a train, and is one of the services offered by the railway. The power generator is usually designed to ensure that the carriages run even when the train is not moving, so that people can enjoy lights and other conveniences when the train is at a station, temporarily shunted to the side to allow another train passes, or stopped for other reasons. As discussed above, power to the hotel can also be temporarily reduced or terminated to meet the power needs of the train.
On a ship, hotel power is more critical, because many electrical systems are important to safety and comfort on board, including climate control and desalination systems. Power generation can usually be controlled by making adjustments to the system to meet different power needs on board the ship. During peak operation, for example, more auxiliary power may be needed, while in the dead of night, power requirements are generally quite low.
Hotel power systems can get quite complicated, with each ship or train carrying with it its own power plant and distribution method. A number of companies specialize in building, maintaining, and repairing power systems of this type, including companies that specialize in working with the military to meet some of the unique power needs that arise in military transport.
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