Abstract
This paper presents a complete review of MVDC applications and their required technologies. Four main MVDC applications were investigated: rail, shipboard systems, distribution grids, and offshore collection systems. For each application, the voltage and power levels, grid structures, converter topologies, and protection and control structure were reviewed. Case studies of the varying applications as well as the literature were analyzed to ascertain the common trends and to review suggested future topologies. For rail, ship, and distribution systems, the technology and ability to implement MVDC grids is available, and there are already a number of case studies. Offshore wind collection systems, however, are yet able to be implemented. Across the four applications, the MVDC voltages ranged from 5–50 kV DC and tens of MW, with some papers suggesting an upper limit of 100 kV DC and hundreds of MV for distribution networks and offshore wind farm applications. This enables the use of varying technologies at both the lower and high voltage ranges, giving flexibility in the choice of topology that is required required.
Highlights
This paper aims to review a comprehensive set of Medium voltage DC (MVDC) applications and the overall network configurations, hardware, and topologies that are required for the discussion of the application implementation, case studies, future trends, and problems of MVDC applications
The lower end of MVDC technology is already in use for tram, metro, and subway systems; long-distance travel with MVDC is being suggested at higher voltages of around 10 kV and at high speeds of 20–30 kV
This paper has presented a complete review of the applications of MVDC systems along with the possible benefits that are offered by the adaption of this technology
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The first applications (i.e., rail systems, integrated shipboard power systems, offshore renewable collection, and distribution grids) are the most common applications in terms of both implementation and research literature They were selected in this paper to give a significant overview of MVDC applications. Conventional AC systems often have radial and open-loop layouts, resulting in a lack of flexibility and controllability This limits the implementation of distributed generation (DG), as their generated power is in a specific area, and it is not able to be supplied back upstream in times of excess power generation. Power electronic devices are becoming increasingly common in ship power systems [9] and in rail systems as well as to interface renewable generation in distribution grids This results in control interactions with the AC distribution networks [22].
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