Methods and systems for subsea direct current power distribution

• Main Authors: Hytten Nicolai, Sihler Christof Martin, Wijekoon Piniwan Thiwanka Bandara, Pouliquen Jean-Louis, Baerd Henri
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.04.2017
• Subjects: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS, OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLYOR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; ELECTRICITY; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; GENERATION; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY

A submersible power system includes at least one DC power source and at least one submersible power distribution system electrically coupled to the at least one DC power source. The at least one submersible power distribution system includes at least one receptacle configured to be exposed to an underwater environment. The at least one submersible power distribution system also includes a plurality of power conversion modules removably positioned within the at least one receptacle. Each power conversion module of the plurality of power conversion modules includes an enclosure configured to be exposed to the underwater environment. The at least one submersible power distribution system further includes at least one switchyard module selectably coupled to and uncoupled from the plurality of power conversion modules. The at least one switchyard module includes a plurality of switches configured to electrically bypass and isolate each power conversion module from the DC power source.