Switch Voltage Rating Selection Considering Cost-Oriented Redundancy and Modularity-based Trade-offs in Modular Multilevel Converter

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) find increasing applications in medium to high-voltage systems. In such systems, reliability-oriented selection of power electronic switches becomes essential because higher modularity implies an increased number of components. The trade-off between the impact of higher modularity on converter reliability...

Thermal FEM Analysis of Surge Arresters during HVDC Current Interruption Validated by Experiments

This paper deals with the development of an accurate finite-element model of an arrester to investigate the electrothermal and mechanical stress during dc current interruption. The comprehensive analysis performed on a ZnO surge arrester is supported by experiments during high-voltage dc circuit breaker current interruption. The performed...

A short-term preventive maintenance scheduling method for distribution networks with distributed generators and batteries

Preventive maintenance is applied in distribution networks to prevent failures by performing maintenance actions on components that are at risk. Distributed generators (DGs) and batteries can be used to support power to nearby loads when they are isolated due to maintenance. In this paper, a novel short-term preventive maintenance method is...

Towards Improved Reliability Indices using Waveform Distortions in Distribution System

Reliable power supply to the consumers is the key goal for power utilities. The two key reliability indices for power utilities are SAIDI and SAIFI. These indices indicate the average duration and frequency of supply interruptions for the consumer. A low value on these indices reflects a reliable and mostly uninterrupted power supply....

DC microgrid islands on ships

Since shipboard power systems are inherently islanded and consist of energy intensive sources and loads, it is an interesting application for dc microgrids. The object of this paper is to explore the merits of dc based shipboard power distribution as compared to conventional ac solutions. A survey of current initiatives, emerging concepts and...