MVDC Power Distribution for Offshore Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-shore drilling platforms face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution due to high power demand and remote location, requiring reliable and efficient power supply systems that can integrate renewable energy sources and storage to stabilize power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power distribution system is implemented, featuring an off-shore MVDC power bus with interconnected power bus segments, renewable energy sources, and an on-shore supply link, allowing for efficient power distribution and management through a ring or mesh network architecture, with energy storage and local power distribution systems to stabilize power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If HVAC or HVDC interconnection is used to provide power to drilling platforms, then power supply capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirement of power transformers and AC/DC converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional HVAC/HVDC power distribution system with an MVDC system, eliminating the need for complex power transformers and AC/DC converters. By using direct current at medium voltage level, the system simplifies the power conversion infrastructure while maintaining high power supply capability to offshore drilling platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage level parameter from high voltage (HV) to medium voltage (MV) and maintains direct current (DC) throughout the system. This parameter change allows for reduced equipment complexity while still meeting the high power demands of drilling platforms, as MVDC requires fewer conversion stages compared to HVAC or HVDC systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If renewable energy sources are integrated to supply power, then energy sustainability is improved, but power delivery stability deteriorates due to variance in power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines renewable energy sources with energy storage systems into an integrated power supply unit. This merging allows the storage system to compensate for the variability of renewable generation, smoothing out power delivery fluctuations and maintaining stable MVDC output while preserving the sustainability benefits of renewable energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system acts as an intermediary between renewable energy sources and the MVDC power bus. It absorbs excess power when generation exceeds demand and releases power when generation falls short, thereby mediating the variability and ensuring stable power delivery to the drilling platform.
3Reliability
If power bus segments are interconnected with circuit breakers to isolate faults, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the MVDC power bus into multiple segments that can be independently controlled and isolated. Each segment can be disconnected from others using circuit breakers when faults occur, preventing fault propagation and maintaining power supply to healthy segments. This segmentation improves reliability by containing failures locally while adding manageable complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A power distribution system for off-shore natural resource platforms includes an off-shore medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power bus. The MVDC power bus includes multiple power bus segments, each of which may be connected to one or more other power bus segments via a corresponding circuit breaker. Each power bus segment may also be electrically coupled to an off-shore renewable energy source, such as a wind farm, and/or an off-shore drilling platform. The off-shore drilling platforms may include local power distribution systems electrically connected to a corresponding power bus segment via a circuit breaker to receive power from the MVDC power bus and supply power to local equipment of the off-shore drilling platform.