Advanced synchronizing systems improve reliability and flexibility of offshore power systems

Small power systems such as those found on offshore platforms are fragile; yet, they must operate reliably for economy and safety for personnel and the environment. These systems often include combustion turbine generators for main process power requirements and black-start diesel generators that can supply essential and emergency buses and be used to restart the main generation in the event of a power system collapse. The power distribution systems on these offshore platforms have built-in redundancy with multiple circuits to supply critical loads for fault tolerance and operating flexibility. A system to easily and safely synchronize islanded buses via many possible synchronization points can revolutionize the operational flexibility and therefore the safety and reliability of the power system. This paper reports on advanced synchronizing systems installed on two offshore platforms.