Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) Technology Development
The nature of this research involved the development of Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) technology for applications on the electric grid and for Active Grid Infrastructure solutions. The work developed the concepts of an MVDC substation for converting and integrating high voltage transmission into the distribution network, while interconnecting medium voltage synchronous and DC generation resources. The research efforts compared and contrasted the costs and benefits associated with the use of AC and DC infrastructure, as well as hybrid AC and DC systems. These costs and benefits addressed electrical losses throughout the electrical system, affects on power flow control capability, and affects on power quality and system reliability.
The research focused on the modeling, simulation, and analysis of an MVDC single bus substation, which is shown in the figure to the right. The tasks will span many areas, including the optimal dispatch of generation attached to the substation, the selection of appropriate converter and inverter topologies for the resources and loads, the incorporation of new semiconductor device technology in the design of power electronic circuits, the control of all components throughout the system, and the applications of the work completed.