Abstract
Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) power distribution architectures are of immense interest for various shipboard power applications due to their advantages over classical MVAC distribution systems with respect to power quality, power density, and efficiency. However, MVDC are far away from maturity when compared to MVAC with respect to fault detection and isolation. Currently, there are no standards available for applying MVDC protection systems in shipboard applications. Furthermore, due to the absence of zero crossings in DC waveforms and unique transient fault signatures, it is challenging to design effective protection system schemes to isolate faults via conventional protection systems. This paper investigates and analyses various types of shipboard MVDC dynamic fault behaviours and signatures under different DC bus disturbances such as: bus to ground, bus to bus to ground, and impact of Pulsed-Power Load (PPL) with and without faults on a shipboard MVDC distribution system. Furthermore, a communication-based fault detection and isolation system controller that improves upon a directional ac overcurrent relay protection system is proposed offering additional protection discrimination between faults and PPLs in MVDC systems. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed protection controller, different bus current disturbances are simulated within a time-domain electromagnetic transient simulation of a shipboard power system including a PPL system operating with different ramp rate profiles, pulse widths, peak powers, and fault locations
Highlights
Over a century ago, alternating current power distribution systems prevailed over direct current systems and have since become the standard worldwide power generation and distribution system for terrestrial and marine applications
To appreciate future electric Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) ship fault dynamic behaviors, this paper investigates and analyses various types of shipboard MVDC system short-circuit faults under different DC bus disturbances including Pulsed-Power Load (PPL) activity
Different case scenarios of dynamic short-circuit fault and pulsed-power load behaviors are explored under the test system on both the a conventional (AC) and DC grid
Summary
Over a century ago, alternating current power distribution systems prevailed over direct current systems and have since become the standard worldwide power generation and distribution system for terrestrial and marine applications Back when it was introduced during “the war of currents”, the AC distribution system was complemented with an electromagnetic transformer. This device which enables AC voltage levels to be raised or lowered was what led to the defeat of Edison’s DC distribution system. Modular MVDC power distribution systems are being heavily considered by the US Navy as the state-of-theart shipboard power distribution system This projected evolution is identified and discussed in the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
