Operation of rail vehicles to limit power peaks in an electrical supply

A method for operation of a rail vehicle configured for extracting electrical energy from a power supply external to the rail vehicle and having at least one electrical energy storage unit,

• the method comprising:
• activating a first operating mode or a second operating mode as a function of an upper consumption limit which defines a permissible upper limit of power that is extractable from the power supply when energy consumption from the power supply is possible, wherein the upper consumption limit is established in variable manner so as to prevent power peaks in the power supply;
• wherein, in the first operating mode, the rail vehicle is configured to travel by means of energy extracted from the power supply external to the vehicle, and without energy from the energy storage unit, and, in the second operating mode, the rail vehicle is configured to travel at least in part by means of energy from the energy storage unit and/or at reduced traction power in comparison to the first operating mode.

An arrangement comprising:

• at least two rail vehicles configured for extracting electrical energy from a power supply external to the vehicle for travel movement, wherein
• a fleet controller is set up for establishing an upper consumption limit which defines a permissible upper limit of power that is extractable by at least one of the rail vehicles from the power supply when energy consumption from the power supply is possible in accordance with power demand variables that are received by each one of the rail vehicles, and in order to prevent power peaks in the power supply.