Patent ID: 10916947

Abstract:
A modular substation (10) for subsea applications includes a plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) configured for converting DC electrical power transmitted along a DC transmission link (24) into AC electrical power for supplying to a plurality of subsea loads (56). The plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) is configured to couple in series to the DC transmission link (24) and couple in parallel to an AC distribution network (52). At least a first modular DC/AC converter (32) is configured to be selectively electrically and mechanically disconnected from the DC transmission link (24) and the AC distribution network (52) to facilitate maintenance of the first modular DC/AC converters (32) while the AC distribution network (52) continues to supply AC electrical power to at least one of the plurality of subsea loads (56). The modular substation (10) also comprises protection and bypass circuits (26) intended to isolate faulty DC/AC converters (32) and to facilitate safe maintenance and repair.