Integrated Power and Energy Systems (IPESs) will
play a critical role in supporting future complex electric ship
operations. In particular, flexibility is required to exploit
shipboard energy sources and storages for multiple ship functions,
supporting a highly dynamic electrical power use. To this aim, the
Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) electrical power distribution has
been conceived to provide requested power flexibility, along with
other expected advantages in terms of functional integration and
ship design. For complex and high-performance ship power
systems, the Zonal Electrical Distribution System (ZEDS) concept
has been proposed to maximize MVDC capabilities even under
extremely demanding operational conditions. This paper presents
a megawatt-scale test facility of a MVDC ZEDS developed and
built in Trieste, Italy, based on power electronics open system
interfaces. The demonstrator is described in its power and control
design architectures and capabilities. In particular, a successful
MW-scale test is presented, to show ZEDS capability in supporting
large and fast load variations, while maintaining acceptable
MVDC voltage tolerances
