Modeling, analysis, and validation of a preliminary design for a 20 kV medium voltage DC substation

With the advancement of high capacity power electronics technologies, most notably in HVDC applications, the concept of developing and implementing future transmission subsystems through a DC backbone presents a realistic and advantageous option over traditional AC approaches. Currently, electrical equipment or devices requiring DC power to function, whether loads or resources, necessitate AC/DC conversion technologies. Having an accessible and direct supply of DC power to serve such loads and resources creates the potential to mitigate losses experienced in the AC/DC conversion process, reduce overall electrical system infrastructure, and lessen the amount of power generated from power plants, as well as other advantages. This paper introduces an initial design and simulation model of a medium voltage DC (MVDC) substation concept containing renewable generation, power electronic converters, and induction machine loads. Each of the components is developed and modeled in PSCAD and validated analytically. The models of the represented system equipment and components are individually presented and accompanied with their simulated results to demonstrate the validity of the overall model. Future work will build upon the model to develop additional loads and resources, control strategies for optimized integration, and more detailed component models.