Refining the Notional MVdc Shipboard Power System: Improved Design and Simulation Analysis

Medium-voltage DC (MVDC) shipboard power systems (SPSs) offer advantages in operational flexibility and reliability over AC systems. However, the high-performance MVDC SPS in IEEE Std 1709TM-2018 is hindered by architectural complexity and poor economic performance due to the extensive use of DC circuit breakers (DCCBs). To overcome these challenges, an improved notional MVDC SPS is proposed in this study. The design replaces two-port DCCBs with multi-port DCCBs (MP-DCCBs), employs current limiting reactors (CLRs) to limit fault current, and simplifies the system by reducing the number of nodes from 18 to 7. A detailed PSCAD/EMTDC simulation model demonstrates robust and effective dynamic performance under various operating conditions, including generator outages and propulsion motor speed changes. Sensitivity analysis not only confirms the system’s reliability and survivability but also specifically validates the effectiveness of CLRs in suppressing the fault current rise rate. A comparative analysis shows that the proposed architecture offers a balanced and competitive advantage across complexity, flexibility, survivability, and cost-effectiveness.