Nikita Sevostyanov, a post-graduate student of the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering of Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI, has developed a control algorithm of distributed power supply systems for satellites.
According to Sevostyanov, there is only one major source of electricity in a centralized system, and the reliability of the entire electric power supply system is determined by it: if it fails, so does the system. There are many independent sources of electricity in a distributed system, and even if one of them fails, the rest will continue to work. For example, most modern satellites use two solar panels with a centralized power supply system that works with solar panels as if it was one panel, not two, and sometimes there can be even more panels. Accordingly, if such a system fails for any reason, the satellite will completely lose electricity. To avoid it, a separate power supply system can be made for each solar panel by connecting them into a distributed network. Then if one system or solar panel fails, there will be another one that can continue to supply electricity.
The quality of electricity is understood as the percentage of the voltage ripple on the common busbar. Distributed systems are more difficult to manage than centralized ones since there is no single center that would manage the entire system. Accordingly, it is more difficult to maintain a high quality of electricity. Therefore, the researchers of NSTU NETI are engaged in the creation of new control algorithms to improve the quality of electricity in distributed systems. Low voltage quality reduces the reliability of the system and leads to a decrease in the life cycle of parts that cannot be replaced when the satellite is in orbit. Therefore, space electrical systems, unlike "terrestrial" ones, must have a tenfold reliability margin, and for this, decentralization and high quality of electricity are needed.
"The algorithm uses so-called resonant regulators with high gain coefficients at certain frequencies, which are called resonant frequencies. Due to the high gain, we can significantly reduce voltage ripples at resonant frequencies, thus improving the quality of electricity," Sevostyanov added.
According to the author of the development, the algorithm can find applications not only in the space industry but also in urban DC networks, charging stations for electric cars, networks of urban electric transport, stand-alone options of smart homes.
"In addition to improving security and survivability, the development will significantly reduce the weight and size of satellites due to a more flexible layout of the electrical system elements. Operating costs will also be reduced due to the possibility of mass production of the elements for distributed electricity systems," the author of the development added.
https://www.nstu.ru/news/news_more?idnews=134383In October 2021 NSTU NETI became a participant in the grant scheme "Priority-2030" with three strategic directions, including the project "Power Electronics and Smart Energy," aimed at creating power supply systems for next-generation spacecraft.