Abstract: A power converter includes primary and secondary bridges, a transformer, and a controller configured to generate a switching mode map that correlates each of a plurality of switching modes to a respective set of value ranges of system parameters of the power converter. The sets of system parameter value ranges are contiguous and non-overlapping across the switching mode map, each of the plurality of switching modes includes gate trigger voltage timings for commuting at least one of the primary and secondary bridges. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of measured system parameter values, select from the switching mode map one of the plurality of switching modes that correlates to the set of system parameter values containing the plurality of measured system parameter values, and adjust gate trigger voltage timings of at least one of the primary and secondary bridges, according to the selected switching mode.

Abstract: A power transmission system is provided. The power transmission system includes at least one power substation for receiving power from a power source, and a Direct Current (DC) cable for transferring the power from the power source to the power substation. The DC cable includes a plurality of segments individually or in combination forming a path to route the power to the power substation. The system further includes at least one segment switch unit electrically coupled to each segment. At least one of the segment switch units includes a shorting switch element for providing a short circuit path to prevent the power from the power source to be routed to a respective segment in response to a shorting command, and a disconnect switch element for disconnecting the respective segment in response to a disconnect command.

Abstract: A power converter module including a voltage source current controlled power converter for providing unidirectional current having at least four output voltage levels is provided. The voltage source current controlled power converter includes an input terminal and an output terminal, and a first conductive path and a second conductive path is coupled in parallel to each other between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the conductive paths comprises at least one diode and at least one switch coupled in series to the respective conductive path. The at least one diode in the first conductive path are coupled closer to the input terminal and the at least one diode in the second conductive path are coupled closer to the output terminal. The voltage source current controlled power converter further includes at least two energy storage elements coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

Abstract: A power converter apparatus includes a primary bridge having a plurality of diagonally opposed primary power elements, and a secondary bridge having a plurality of diagonally opposed secondary power elements. The primary and secondary bridges are electrically coupled by a transformer. At least one control unit is configured to phase-shift switch the primary and secondary power elements, such that one or more of the primary and secondary power elements are switched off under near-zero current conditions to reduce voltage and current stresses and commutation losses within the power converter.

Abstract: A single active bridge converter is provided. The single active bridge converter includes a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, a primary side circuit electrically coupled to the primary winding and including an H bridge circuit, and a secondary side circuit electrically coupled to the secondary winding, the secondary side circuit including a switch configured to selectively short the transformer secondary winding.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter includes one or more controller modules operably linked to a transformer core of the power converter, to primary bridge switches of the power converter, and to secondary bridge switches of the power converter, wherein the one or more controller modules are configured to avoid saturation of the transformer core by modulating pulse widths of first electrical pulses sent to the primary bridge switches, based at least on measurements of DC components of current through primary and secondary windings adjacent the transformer core, and by modulating pulse widths of second electrical pulses sent to the secondary bridge switches, based at least on measurements of DC components of current through the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A method of switching taps of an on-load tap changer includes providing a main finger, a first side finger including a first solid state switch and a second side finger including a second solid state switch. The main finger, the first side finger and the second side finger are utilized to provide a connection between the taps and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The method also includes triggering the on-load tap changer to shift the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received and utilizing the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch to commutate a current during the tap change operation.

Abstract: A power converter control system includes primary bridge controller that is configured to actuate a first plurality of gate drive units that switch a first plurality of power elements in a primary bridge of a power converter. The control system further includes a secondary bridge controller separate from the primary bridge controller that is configured to actuate a second plurality of gate drive units to switch a second plurality of power elements in a secondary bridge of the power converter.

Abstract: A system for operating an on-load tap changer (OLTC) includes a plurality of legs that include mechanical switches. At least one leg switches from a first to a second tap of the OLTC on receipt of a tap change signal. At least one mechanical switch is activated to establish an electrical connection between one of the first and the second tap and a power terminal of the OLTC. Further, the system includes semiconductor switches that are parallel to the mechanical switches and when activated electrically couple one of the first and the second tap and the power terminal. The system includes a processing unit that selectively activates and deactivates the mechanical and semiconductor switches in such a way that electrical contact is maintained between at least one of the taps and the power terminal during the transition of at least one leg from the first tap to the second tap.

Abstract: A subsea power distribution module includes an outer vessel defining an interior chamber and a plurality of power modules disposed within the interior chamber. The outer vessel is configured to maintain a pressure within the interior chamber substantially the same as an ambient pressure outside the outer vessel. Each power module includes a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a power converter disposed within the interior chamber of the pressure vessel. Each pressure vessel is configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure within the interior chamber of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A subsea boosting module for use with a direct current (DC) power system includes a housing defining at least one interior chamber. A fluid pump is disposed within the interior chamber. An electric motor is disposed within the interior chamber and drivingly coupled to the fluid pump. A plurality of power components is disposed within the interior chamber to deliver power to the electric motor.

Abstract: A subsea boosting module for use with an alternating current (AC) power system includes a housing defining at least one interior chamber. A fluid pump is disposed within the interior chamber. An electric motor is disposed within the interior chamber and drivingly coupled to the fluid pump. A plurality of power components is disposed within the interior chamber to deliver power to the electric motor.

Abstract: A torsional mode damping controller system is connected to a converter that drives an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train. The controller system includes an input interface configured to receive measured data related to variables of the converter or the electrical machine, and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller calculates at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the train based on the data from the input interface, generates control data for the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the mechanical drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and sends the control data to the converter for modulating an active power exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of load side power converters configured in a modular stacked DC (MSDC) converter architecture. Each load side converter includes a respective energy storage device such that together the plurality of energy storage devices provides a distributed subsea energy storage system configured to maintain a common subsea busbar voltage substantially constant during intermittent load voltage excursions.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an islanding condition in a grid is provided. The method comprises detecting a potential islanding condition in a grid; and, in response to the detected potential islanding condition, ramping up an amount of reactive power, active power, or a combination of active and reactive power that is generated from a power conversion system until the earlier of the power conversion system shutting down or a threshold condition being reached.

Abstract: A power generation system includes integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels. Each of the integrated PV panel includes photovoltaic cells, a junction coupler coupling the photovoltaic cells in series, in parallel, or in combinations thereof, output terminals, and a DC to AC converter coupled between the junction coupler and the output terminals. The DC to AC converter includes switching devices and the integrated PV panels are coupled in series at the respective output terminals. A controller is provided in the power generation system for generation switching command signals for the switching devices of the integrated PV panels to synthesize an output voltage of the power generation system.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter includes one or more controller modules operably linked to a transformer core of the power converter, to primary bridge switches of the power converter, and to secondary bridge switches of the power converter, wherein the one or more controller modules are configured to avoid saturation of the transformer core by modulating pulse widths of first electrical pulses sent to the primary bridge switches, based at least on measurements of DC components of current through primary and secondary windings adjacent the transformer core, and by modulating pulse widths of second electrical pulses sent to the secondary bridge switches, based at least on measurements of DC components of current through the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A power converter module including a voltage source current controlled power converter for providing unidirectional current having at least four output voltage levels is provided. The voltage source current controlled power converter includes an input terminal and an output terminal, and a first conductive path and a second conductive path is coupled in parallel to each other between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the conductive paths comprises at least one diode and at least one switch coupled in series to the respective conductive path. The at least one diode in the first conductive path are coupled closer to the input terminal and the at least one diode in the second conductive path are coupled closer to the output terminal. The voltage source current controlled power converter further includes at least two energy storage elements coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission system includes a cable fault ride-through system. The cable fault ride-through system is configured to ensure the HVDC power transmission system remains operational via an earth path between the power source end and the load end during a transmission cable fault, even in the absence of a neutral bus and/or dc circuit breakers.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a generator mechanically coupled to a turbine to generate electrical power. The system includes a fault ride through system having a variable resistor and a variable inductor. The variable resistor is connected in parallel across output terminals of the generator to absorb power from the generator during a grid fault condition, and the variable inductor is connected between an output terminal of the generator and a power grid.