Multifunctional power electronic converters for flexible energy management in shipboard power systems

Multifunctional power electronic converters are used in shipboard power systems for various needs including energy conversion from one form to the other, power generation, and transmission. The ability to do more functions with a single power electronic converter is desired in shipboard power systems, especially when there is an inadequate energy management resource, or unexpected demand that may appear as a result of battle damage or power system topology change. The ability to do more functions with a single device may also help meet growing power demand in shipboard power systems. This paper suggests control architecture for a power electronics converter that allows maximization of its possible functionalities of a voltage source converter. The suggested control architecture allows to extend the functionality of a power electronic converter to such modes of operation as harmonic compensator, reactive power compensator, current balancing compensator, active current source, etc. As a multifunctional voltage source converter can perform more possible functions, better utilization of energy management resources onboard of a ship may be achieved.