Selection of Wire Gauge and Voltage Grade for Microgrids in Extreme Lunar Environments

As the construction of the lunar research station progresses, determining the appropriate cable specifications and transmission voltage levels is essential to achieve efficient, low-loss, and lightweight power transmission, especially given the challenging operating conditions of the lunar microgrid. This research introduces a distributed DC microgrid architecture that integrates nuclear reactor power generation, photovoltaic power generation, chemical energy storage, and intelligent distribution units. By considering the transmission power and distance requirements of the lunar surface DC microgrid and referencing the SAE AS50811F-2015 cable derating standard, a DC transmission model for the microgrid was developed. The study systematically analyzed the variations in key parameters, such as cable power loss, cable weight, and the weight of step-up/down converters, in relation to transmission power, voltage, distance, and wire gauge. The investigation covered a transmission power range of 5 kW to 20 kW, a voltage range of 200 V to 2500 V, and a distance range of 0.25 km to 1.0 km. The findings provide a theoretical foundation and data support for power matching, cable selection, and load assessment in the lunar surface microgrid.