# US 10,873,185 B2 · Subsea electric power distribution installation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,185 B2 - Document ID: US10873185B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/313,509 - Filed: 2017-05-16 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-27 - Assignees: ABB Schweiz AG - Applicants: ABB Schweiz AG - Inventors: Luciano Di Maio; Dukkaiappan Subbiah Thevar; Pravin A. Futane; Marco Testa; Johan Gunnar; Kai Tormod Hansen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873185B2 ## CPC - H02J 9/06: with automatic change-over {, e.g. UPS systems} - H02J 1/102: being switching converters (H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence) - H02J 3/32: using batteries or super capacitors with converting means - H02J 3/36: Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks via high-voltage DC [HVDC] links; Arrangements for transfer of electric power between generators and networks via HVDC links - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads} - Y02E 60/60: Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD] - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A subsea electric power distribution installation including: one or more MV switching apparatuses electrically connected with an electric power source an one or more electric loads, the switching apparatuses being adapted to switch a MV electric power supply to the electric loads; electronic equipment operatively associated with the switching apparatuses for managing the operation of the switching apparatuses, the electronic equipment being configured to receive a LV electric power supply. The subsea electric power distribution installation includes a centralized energy storage unit including one or more storing devices for storing electric energy to feed the electronic equipment, wherein the centralized energy storage unit is adapted to receive electric power from the electric power source to charge the storing devices, wherein the centralized energy storage unit is adapted to provide an electric power supply to the the electronic equipment by absorbing electric power from the storing devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A subsea electric power distribution installation comprising: one or more MV switching apparatuses electrically connected with an electric power source and one or more electric loads, said switching apparatuses being adapted to switch a MV electric power supply to said electric loads; electronic equipment operatively associated with said switching apparatuses for managing the operation of said switching apparatuses, said electronic equipment being configured to receive a LV electric power supply; at least a centralized energy storage unit including one or more storing devices for storing electric energy, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to receive electric power from said electric power source to charge said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to provide an electric power supply (V2, V3) to said electronic equipment by consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises: a first electronic module configured to receive a first feeding voltage (V1) from said electric power source and provide an input voltage (VIN); an energy storage module comprising said storing devices; and a second electronic module configured to receive said input voltage (VIN) from said first electronic module and provide a charging voltage (VC) to said energy storage module to charge said storing devices, said second electronic module being configured to provide a second feeding voltage (VH2) to said electronic equipment consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, and wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises a third electronic module comprising: a first electronic stage configured to receive said second feeding voltage (V2) from said second electronic module and provide a third feeding voltage (V3); a second electronic stage electrically connected with at least an auxiliary power supply unit and second equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation, wherein said second electronic stage is configured to reversibly switch between a first circuit configuration (A), at which second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said auxiliary power supply unit and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is active, and a second circuit configuration (B), at which said second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said first electronic stage and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is inactive. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic module is electrically connected with first electronic equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation to feed said first electronic equipment with said second feeding voltage (V2). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 2, wherein said first electronic equipment comprises a plurality of power and control units operatively associated with said switching apparatuses. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic equipment comprises one or more protection and control units operatively associated with said switching apparatuses. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1, wherein said third feeding voltage (V3) is lower than said second feeding voltage (V2). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1, wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises a fourth electronic module configured to exchange data or control signals (S) with at least a control unit of said subsea electric power distribution installation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1, further comprising a first subsea container having an outer enclosure adapted to define an internal volume with a predefined pressure, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is accommodated in the internal volume of said first subsea container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 7, wherein said first subsea container comprises a storage section for accommodating said storing devices and an electronic section for accommodating one or more electronic boards on which one or more of said electronic modules are mounted. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 7, wherein said first subsea container comprises a material capable of absorbing hydrogen, said material being accommodated in the internal volume of said subsea container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 7, further comprising a retrievable subsea containing structure for accommodating said first subsea container and second and third containers, in which said electronic equipment is accommodated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A subsea electric power distribution grid comprising a subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 A subsea electric power distribution installation comprising: one or more MV switching apparatuses electrically connected with an electric power source and one or more electric loads, said switching apparatuses being adapted to switch a MV electric power supply to said electric loads; electronic equipment operatively associated with said switching apparatuses for managing the operation of said switching apparatuses, said electronic equipment being configured to receive a LV electric power supply; at least a centralized energy storage unit including one or more storing devices for storing electric energy, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to receive electric power from said electric power source to charge said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to provide an electric power supply (V2, V3) to said electronic equipment by consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises: a first electronic module configured to receive a first feeding voltage (V1) from said electric power source and provide an input voltage (VIN); an energy storage module comprising said storing devices; and a second electronic module configured to receive said input voltage (VIN) from said first electronic module and provide a charging voltage (VC) to said energy storage module to charge said storing devices, said second electronic module being configured to provide a second feeding voltage (VH2) to said electronic equipment consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, wherein said second electronic module is electrically connected with first electronic equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation to feed said first electronic equipment with said second feeding voltage (V2), and wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises a third electronic module comprising: a first electronic stage configured to receive said second feeding voltage (V2) from said second electronic module and provide a third feeding voltage (V3); a second electronic stage electrically connected with at least an auxiliary power supply unit and second equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation, wherein said second electronic stage is configured to reversibly switch between a first circuit configuration (A), at which second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said auxiliary power supply unit and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is active, and a second circuit configuration (B), at which said second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said first electronic stage and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is inactive. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 12, wherein said centralized storage unit is accommodated with a subsea container having an outer enclosure adapted to define an internal volume with a predefined pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The centralized energy storage unit, according to claim 13, further comprising a material capable of absorbing hydrogen, said material being accommodated in the internal volume of said subsea container. ### Claim 15 A subsea electric power distribution installation comprising: one or more MV switching apparatuses electrically connected with an electric power source and one or more electric loads, said switching apparatuses being adapted to switch a MV electric power supply to said electric loads; electronic equipment operatively associated with said switching apparatuses for managing the operation of said switching apparatuses, said electronic equipment being configured to receive a LV electric power supply; at least a centralized energy storage unit including one or more storing devices for storing electric energy, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to receive electric power from said electric power source to charge said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit is adapted to provide an electric power supply (V2, V3) to said electronic equipment by consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises: a first electronic module configured to receive a first feeding voltage (V1) from said electric power source and provide an input voltage (VIN); an energy storage module comprising said storing devices; and a second electronic module configured to receive said input voltage (VIN) from said first electronic module and provide a charging voltage (VC) to said energy storage module to charge said storing devices, said second electronic module being configured to provide a second feeding voltage (VH2) to said electronic equipment consuming electric power provided by said storing devices, wherein said second electronic module is electrically connected with first electronic equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation to feed said first electronic equipment with said second feeding voltage (V2), wherein said first electronic equipment comprises a plurality of power and control units operatively associated with said switching apparatuses, and wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises a third electronic module comprising: a first electronic stage configured to receive said second feeding voltage (V2) from said second electronic module and provide a third feeding voltage (V3); a second electronic stage electrically connected with at least an auxiliary power supply unit and second equipment of said subsea electric power distribution installation, wherein said second electronic stage is configured to reversibly switch between a first circuit configuration (A), at which second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said auxiliary power supply unit and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is active, and a second circuit configuration (B), at which said second electronic stage receives said third feeding voltage from said first electronic stage and provides said third feeding voltage to said second electronic equipment, when said auxiliary power supply unit is inactive. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 12, wherein said second electronic equipment comprises one or more protection and control units operatively associated with said switching apparatuses. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 15, wherein said second electronic equipment comprises one or more protection and control units operatively associated with said switching apparatuses. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The subsea electric power distribution installation, according to claim 2, wherein said centralized energy storage unit comprises a fourth electronic module configured to exchange data or control signals (S) with at least a control unit of said subsea electric power distribution installation.