Limiting hull touch voltages in large power shore connection systems during phase-to-ground faults: A solution proposal

High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC) is a technical solution to supply ships at berth in an economic way while reducing air pollution in city ports. The increased power demand of modern cruise ships may reach several tens of MVA, requiring a primary port voltage supply at voltage >100 kV. When a phase-to-ground fault arises on the HV side, safety problems due to increasing ship hull touch voltage may arise. A possible solution is proposed in this paper, based on an HV/HV y-Δ-y transformer with secondary resistance grounded neutral in the distribution power supply utility substation, with the aim to reduce phase-to-ground fault current at port.