CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction to DC Power System

It all started in the late 1880 s, where the two inventors and engineers Thomas
Edison and Nicola Tesla had developed two types of currents. The happening
concerning these two types of currents is today known as “The War of Currents”.
Thomas Edison developed direct current (DC), where the current that runs
continuously in a single direction, for example as in batteries. One big problem
Edison had was that in those days converting DC between higher and lower voltages
was difficult, because the technology was not developed for it.
Nicola Tesla on the other hand had developed alternating current (AC), which
turned out to be the solution that was applicable at that time. The reason for this being
that AC could be easily converted between higher and lower voltage levels, using a
transformer. Consequently, the events of “the War of currents” shaped the electrical
progress into an AC dominated direction for many years. However, research and new
implementation possibilities on use of DC have been on an uprising.
Many applications are based on DC, because they depend on battery based
technology. This means that many appliances today could benefit from a change to
DC in the distribution system. In addition, renewable energy sources, like solar
energy and wind energy, generate DC voltage, where conversion losses can be
reduced in a possible DC distribution system.
In today’s distribution system, the dominating type of current used is AC. In
newer time, improvements have been done within the field of DC. The developments
that are achieved are in terms of converter efficiency and conversion capabilities.
Along with development of DC equipment and technology, the use and development
of renewable energy sources has increased, which generates DC power. This has
brought up the topic of using DC in the distribution system. A DC distribution system
can be a future solution, for higher efficiency and reliability. DC is an important
equipment of the power system. The auxiliary dc control power system consists of the
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battery, battery charger, distribution system, switching and protective devices, and
any monitoring equipment. Its performance and quality are directly related to the
stable operation of the power grid and equipment safety.
The DC power system is the power supply for circuit breakers, closing and
closing operations and DC pumps. The system is the relay protection, the working
power of the automatic device, the power source indicated by the signal, and the
backup power source during the fault condition. DC power is provided for control
devices, automation devices, relay protection devices, high-voltage circuit-breaker
switching mechanisms, and accident lighting loads. The DC operating power system
composed of nickel-cadmium battery packs has strong reliability and high stability,
and its reliability directly affects the safe operation of power plants and substation
equipment.
With the automation of power dispatch and the development of relay
protection equipment, the degree of automation of the power system is getting higher
and higher, and power plants and substations are gradually becoming unattended. The
operation of all switching devices and relay protection devices are controlled
automatically or remotely. Once the DC system fails, it may cause major accidents
and the status of the DC system in the equipment becomes more and more important.
Customers have put forward higher requirements on the high reliability, high
intelligence, and maintenance-free performance of the power supply products and on-
line upgrade of the products, which has become an inevitable trend of development of
power supply products.

1.2. Aims and Objectives

The main aim of this thesis is to study design analysis of DC power supply
used in Tagongtaing substation.
The main objectives are
 To understand the power supply from battery banks and battery charger to
DC loads in substation.
 To study about battery, battery charger and DC control circuits in a substation
 To know about how to maintenance the batteries, charger and
DC control panel at substation.
 To study about how to sizing the batteries to get the capacity that loads needed
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 To understand the importance of DC power supply at substation.

1.3. Outlines of Thesis

There are six chapters in this thesis. In chapter one, the introduction to the DC
power system for substation is described. In chapter two, the background theories of
substation and components of the substation are mentioned. In chapter three, the DC
power supply, battery technology and battery sizing are expressed. In chapter four,
design and analysis of DC power supply is explained. In chapter five, test results of
DC power supply AC to DC circuits and tripping circuits are expressed. In the last
chapter, the discussions and conclusion of the thesis are presented.