Power Management and Distribution (PMAD)

Power management and distribution (PMAD) for the lunar surface will face many of the same issues as terrestrial power management systems or microgrids. The lunar surface PMAD will have many of the same architecture, design, and system integration issues as terrestrial power systems as well as being constructed using the same type of hardware components. Unfortunately, there is the myth in the power community that: “PMAD is never a problem because it is only a collection of wires and switches, and anyone can do that.” However, the reality is: “PMAD provides the end-to-end integration that permits the loads to interface with the source(s) in an efficient, seamless, stable, maintainable, low mass, and reliable manner and that is anything but easy.” Overall PMAD is the function that will safely integrate the overall lunar power system to make sure that sources can deliver power to as many loads as possible. For the practitioners in the field: “PMAD is the glue that holds the power system together” Because the PMAD system is the “glue,” its description needs to address integrated system issues as well as the hardware implementation issues involved in developing and operating any power system. This includes: Assumptions and Constraints; Evolution and Distribution Architecture Topology; Distribution Voltage; Power Quality and Stability of the Delivered Power; Implementation Hardware; and Operation and Control of the integrated system. Both the system issues and hardware items will be covered in this chapter.