Abstract: An electrical energy distribution system for a vessel or platform includes a plurality of DC buses, each DC bus coupled to a corresponding energy storage bus; each energy storage bus being coupled to a neighboring energy storage bus of the system through a first DC/DC converter. The plurality of energy storage buses are connected together to form a ring. Each energy storage bus is further coupled to an energy store through a second DC/DC converter.

Abstract: An electrical energy distribution system for a vessel or platform includes a plurality of DC buses, each DC bus coupled to a corresponding energy storage bus; each energy storage bus being coupled to a neighboring energy storage bus of the system through a first DC/DC converter. The plurality of energy storage buses are connected together to form a ring. Each energy storage bus is further coupled to an energy store through a second DC/DC converter.

Abstract: An electrical energy distribution system for a vessel or platform with at least a primary energy source comprising an AC generator. A first output of the AC generator is coupled to a first DC bus via a transformer and an AC to DC converter and a second output of the AC generator is separately coupled to a second DC bus via a rectifier. The second DC bus is operable at a first voltage level and is connected to one or more primary consumers. The first DC bus is operable at a second voltage level, lower than the first voltage level and is connected to secondary consumers. In the event of the output of the AC generator to the primary consumers on the first DC bus being insufficient, energy from electric energy storage elements is supplied to the primary consumers via the rectifier and the first DC bus.

Abstract: An electrical energy distribution system for a vessel or platform with at least a primary energy source comprising an AC generator. A first output of the AC generator is coupled to a first DC bus via a transformer and an AC to DC converter and a second output of the AC generator is separately coupled to a second DC bus via a rectifier. The second DC bus is operable at a first voltage level and is connected to one or more primary consumers. The first DC bus is operable at a second voltage level, lower than the first voltage level and is connected to secondary consumers. In the event of the output of the AC generator to the primary consumers on the first DC bus being insufficient, energy from electric energy storage elements is supplied to the primary consumers via the rectifier and the first DC bus.

Abstract: A DC grid for an offshore structure has at least four switchboards, each switchboard having at least three connections to other switchboards and each connection including a switch. The grid further includes a plurality of energy sources on the offshore structure, at least one energy source being associated with one of the switchboards; and a plurality of energy consumers, at least one of the energy consumers being associated with one of the switchboards. Switches of the connections are adapted to be closed in normal operation; and the controller is adapted to send a signal from the controller to the switch to open the switch in the event of a fault.

Abstract: A power switching assembly for switching power in a power distribution bus, and a power distribution system including such a power switching assembly, are disclosed. The power switching assembly includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal to provide controllability of a current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal and from the second terminal to the first terminal A controller for controlling the semiconductor elements may be configured to implement one or more of various control schemes such as a breaker, a current limiter, a load balancer, and a precharging device.

Abstract: A power switching assembly for switching power in a power distribution bus, and a power distribution system including such a power switching assembly, are disclosed. The power switching assembly includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal to provide controllability of a current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal and from the second terminal to the first terminal A controller for controlling the semiconductor elements may be configured to implement one or more of various control schemes such as a breaker, a current limiter, a load balancer, and a precharging device.