POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

• US 20120267955A1
• Filed: 09/06/2010
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Zhan, Changjiang, Crane, Allan David, Bullock, Andrew James
• Granted Patent: US 9,030,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/31
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/06 Two-wire systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/36 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks via a high-tension dc link
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0074 Plural converter units whose inputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/3353 having at least two simultaneously operating switches on the input side, e.g. "double forward" or "double (switched) flyback" converter
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/60 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD]

Abstract

A power transmission and distribution system suitable for subsea electrical loads includes a primary dc transmission cable connected to an onshore AC/DC converter module that connects the onshore end of the cable to an ac supply network. The subsea end of the cable is connected to a primary subsea power distribution unit and includes a DC/DC converter module having a modular topology with a series of interconnected DC/DC converter units. The DC/DC converter module is connected between the cable and a primary dc distribution network. Secondary dc transmission cables and associated circuit breakers connect the primary subsea power distribution unit to secondary subsea power distribution units that are located near the subsea loads. Each secondary subsea power distribution unit includes a DC/DC converter module having a modular topology with a series of interconnected DC/DC converter units. Respective secondary dc distribution networks supply power to one or more subsea loads.

Claims

1. A power transmission and distribution system comprising:

a primary dc transmission cable;

a primary subsea power distribution unit having a DC/DC converter module connected between the primary dc transmission cable and a primary dc distribution network;

a secondary subsea power distribution unit having a DC/DC converter module connected between the primary dc distribution network and a secondary dc distribution network; and

one or more subsea electrical loads connected to the secondary dc distribution network.

2. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the DC/DC converter module of the primary subsea power distribution unit operates as a step-down converter.

3. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the DC/DC converter module of the secondary subsea power distribution unit operates as a step-down converter.

4. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of secondary subsea power distribution units each supplying power to an associated secondary dc distribution network.

5. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 4, wherein each secondary dc distribution network carries a different distribution voltage.

6. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the DC/DC converter module of the or each secondary subsea power distribution unit is connected to the primary dc distribution network by a secondary dc transmission cable and an associated subsea circuit breaker.

7. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising an onshore AC/DC converter module connected between an ac supply network and the primary dc transmission cable.

8. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the DC/DC converter modules are resonant DC/DC converter modules.

9. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the primary dc transmission cable is an HVDC transmission cable.

10. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein each subsea electrical load is connected to the secondary dc distribution network by a power converter and an associated subsea circuit breaker.

11. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising one or more subsea electrical loads, each being connected to the primary dc distribution network by a power converter and an associated subsea circuit breaker.

12. The power transmission and distribution system of claim 1, wherein all electrical connections between component parts are made using wet mateable connectors or umbilical termination heads.