Power Electronic Building Block Network Simulation Testbed Stability Criteria and Hardware Validation Studies.

Naval power distribution has principally used an AC network to supply loads. With the advent of new power electronic devices, the focus has shifted to employing a DC distribution system that eliminates large transformers and mechanical switching devices and enhances the survivability of the platform. The Power Electronic Building Block PEBB Network Simulation Testbed currently under construction at the Naval Postgraduate School is a study into the feasibility of such DC systems. The objective of this thesis was to perform theoretical and simulation-based analysis to establish quantitative criteria for PEBB Testbed stability. These criteria were then used to develop a set of hardware studies to investigate the interaction of components within the PEBB Testbed. Finally, the hardware studies were utilized to verify PEBB Testbed performance. Principal conclusions of this research included that the PEBB Testbed demonstrated stability under all simulated loading conditions. Follow-on testing of the PEBB Testbed confirmed that the simulations correlated well with hardware implementation. In addition, the hardware validation studies revealed that switching harmonics had a considerable effect on the system output.