A high-performance integrated power plant

Outside plant applications for DC bulk power systems have increased greatly. As a result, increasing focus has been brought to bear on the power system to increase its flexibility for a wider variety of applications. Moreover, since the use of advanced technology such as valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries and switched-mode rectifiers in the outside plant area is relatively new, a number of problems are now emerging. Consequently, feature requirements of DC bulk power plants have increased beyond basic charger modularity and higher MTBF. Addressing mechanical flexibility, electrical subcomponent compatibility, environmental stresses, and emergency situation control, this paper proposes the design of an integrated power plant, capable of accommodating virtual zero-time plant growth and service, upgraded battery life, emergency situation control and numerous performance enhancements. Selected theoretical design results have been simulated and experimentally verified using a 9 kW engineering prototype