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help ensure reliability, and that quality control and obsoles- performance of components were set at optimum levels.

cence strategies were well established from the outset. This The electronics and control modules are ? exible and approach also meant that integration with existing topside modular in design to allow for different sizes to enable easy hardware systems and software would be straightforward and accommodation within the system. Communications and that all failures should be mitigated by design improvement control are Ethernet-based for ease of interfacing with the or change rather than by adding simple ‘ruggedizing’ steps. rest of the subsea system and high-speed ? ber-optic com-

To ensure compact and reliable solutions, ABB enclosed munications enables responsive remote operations. the VSDs and MV switchgear in oil-? lled, pressure-com-

REALISTIC TESTING pensated tanks with each component iteratively honed in

As the resulting power distribution and control system is a stepwise approach, thus optimizing product assemblies and reducing the number of components and functions to made up from several hundred unique critical components ensure redundancy and high system reliability. In addition, operating under various stress conditions, a clear and prag- to ensure that electronics and power components could matic testing structure was put in place in order to learn operate in a pressure-tolerant environment and within a the behaviors and limits of different designs, thus helping to mitigate the risk of failure before prequalifying for full- dielectric oil, component screening and selection, mate- rial compatibility, material interface aspects and thermal scale prototypes. Therefore, starting with simulation and

In 2017, ABB’s variable speed drive underwent a 168-hour shallow-water test and met all of the performance criteria required to pass it. All other components of the ABB system were also proven to operate efficiently under water.

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