With the increasing maturity and flexibility of power electronics-based voltage conversion techniques, DC grids, and distribution systems have gained significant interest. These systems offer advantages such as improved power quality, efficiency, and flexibility. Medium-voltage DC (MVDC) applications, including shipboard, railway systems, distribution networks, and microgrids, are emerging as critical areas of interest. To integrate MVDC systems with existing power grids, MV AC/DC conversion techniques are crucial. Moreover, the lack of mature protection strategies and equipment, particularly DC circuit breakers (DCCB), poses a significant challenge to the development of MVDC systems. Therefore, this thesis aims to address two primary challenges in the field: the improved topologies of MV AC/DC conversion techniques for interfacing MVDC systems with power grids and the development of high power density DCCB for MVDC systems. The traditional modular multilevel converter (MMC) is widely used for medium voltage (MV) AC/DC conversion due to its modularity, scalability, and reliability. However, the presence of numerous semiconductor devices and capacitors in MMCs results in challenges such as low power efficiency and density. To enhance the performance of MMCs, this thesis proposes several novel hybrid MMC (HMMC) topologies, including the three-level HMMC, flying capacitor HMMC, and hybrid-leg MMC. These topologies aim to leverage the advantages of both conventional multilevel converters and MMCs. By replacing the low-voltage (LV) submodule (SM) in MMCs with a simple high-voltage (HV) switch, higher efficiency, a smaller footprint, and lower cost can be achieved. The HV switch operates at line frequency, simplifying device-switching and addressing the challenges of series-connected devices. The introduction of additional HV switches enables alternative connections compared to traditional MMCs, reducing the number of required SMs. Consequently, there is a significant reduction in the number of semiconductor devices, capacitor energy storage, and power losses. Furthermore, an average model is developed for the three-level HMMC to illustrate the additional power flow path between the AC and DC sides, as well as the reduced SM capacitor energy storage requirement. As a result, the proposed HMMCs exhibit substantial potential to replace traditional MMCs, offering higher efficiency and power density. Unidirectional high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) rectifiers are essential for applications where power flows exclusively from the AC to the DC side. Examples of such applications include HVDC transmission, front-end converters for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and data centers. Therefore, hybrid modular multilevel rectifiers (HMMRs) are proposed for these unidirectional AC/DC applications. Instead of utilizing active devices for HV switches, the HMMR employs HV diode to achieve step-up HMMR, step-down HMMR, and flying capacitor HMMR configurations. As diodes are passive devices that do not require gate driver units, the HMMR design becomes simpler, resulting in cost and volume savings. Additionally, voltage sharing among the HV diode stack becomes more manageable as concerns regarding gate signal mismatch are eliminated. However, it is important to note that diodes lack current interruption capability. This limitation requires further investigation, particularly in non-unity power factor (PF) operations, which may impose restrictions on the operational range of the rectifiers. In terms of medium voltage (MV) DC circuit breakers (DCCB), this paper introduces the concept and design procedure of a high-power-density, modular, and scalable power electronic interrupter (PEI) for MV hybrid circuit breakers (HCB). The analysis includes trade-offs and limiting factors of various components within a single PEI module. A prototype of a 12 kV, 1 kA breaking-capable PEI is constructed, and new staged turn-off strategies are proposed to ensure the balanced distribution of metal-oxide varistor (MOV) energy. The developed PEI achieves a peak power density of 7.4 kW/cm$^3$, much higher than the solution based on the IGBT modules. After integrating the developed PEI into a full-scale HCB, the breaking capability of the developed PEI and the effectiveness of the staged turn-off strategy are validated. Furthermore, the scalability of the HCB is evaluated, which can simplify the design process from a low-voltage HCB to a higher-voltage version. For series-connected devices in SSCB or HCB configurations, the conventional gate driver structure necessitates an individual gate driver unit, fiber-optic, and isolated power supplies for each device. This design increases cost and volume, particularly for this single-pulse application. To address this issue, two new single gate driver structures are proposed to reduce component count and system complexity. The first solution, namely the MOV-coupled structure, employs a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) for the turn-off path. On the other hand, the transformer-coupled structure combines the auxiliary power and gate signal, enabling both simultaneous and staged turn-off schemes. Moreover, the cascaded high- and lower-voltage transformer structure simplifies insulation design and demonstrates improved scalability. These proposed gate driver structures aim to streamline the system, reduce component numbers, and simplify control for series-connected devices, leading to cost savings and improved overall performance. / Doctor of Philosophy / The advent of modern power electronics has paved the way for the implementation of medium-voltage (MV) DC systems, which offer advantages such as improved power quality, efficiency, and flexibility. However, the development of advanced AC/DC power conversion techniques and MVDC distribution system equipment, particularly MV DC circuit breakers (DCCBs), poses significant challenges for future MVDC systems. While the modular multilevel converter (MMC) is considered one of the best solutions, it suffers from a large number of devices and submodules (SMs). To overcome this limitation, novel topology concepts are introduced by combining high-voltage (HV) switches with low-voltage SMs, which leverage the benefits of both MMC and conventional multilevel converters. Several Hybrid MMC (HMMC) topologies, such as the three-level HMMC, flying capacitor HMMC, and hybrid-leg MMC, have been proposed. The introduction of additional HV switches enables different configurations over one line cycle, reducing the number of SMs and achieving higher power density and efficiency compared to the traditional MMC. Moreover, for unidirectional power flow, the hybrid modular multilevel rectifiers (HMMRs) can be derived by replacing the HV switch with HV diodes. This modification further reduces cost and volume compared to bidirectional converters. However, the non-unity power factor operation is different from the HMMC version, and more investigation is carried out in this work. As for MV DCCBs, the concept and design procedure of a compact, modular, and scalable power electronic interrupter (PEI) for MV hybrid circuit breakers (HCBs) are discussed. Additionally, two single gate driver structures are proposed to simplify the gate driver design, leading to a significant reduction in component count and cost. These advancements in topology solutions, MV DCCBs, and gate driver structures hold promise for the development of efficient and cost-effective MVDC systems.

Advancements in power semiconductor and power converter technology have enabled new low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) direct current (DC) distribution systems for a variety of applications. Power electronics converters and DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) are the key components of a DC system and are hence the focus of this work. The combination of growing power density requirements and higher voltages can result in enhanced electric field (E-field) intensities, leaving the system vulnerable to partial discharges (PDs). The manifestation of such PD events gradually degrades the insulation system of the equipment, reducing its lifetime and ultimately leading to total insulation failure. Therefore, inception E-field based insulation design guidelines are developed to help achieve zero-PD operation of power electronics systems with considerations for internal as well as external (surface) E-field distribution. Additionally, surface E-field mitigation methods are experimentally investigated using representative PCB coupons to provide suitable solutions for low air pressure applications. Consequently, E-field management methods consisting of geometry-based techniques are proposed for PCB-based systems to mitigate E-field magnitudes in areas of the system that are prone to peak stresses (e.g. surface interconnections and triple junctions, conductor discontinuities, critical airgaps etc.). Successful design examples are provided including that of a 16 kV rated PCB-based DC bus and a 540 V, 100 kW aircraft generator rectifier unit operating at up to 50,000 ft cruising altitudes. DC circuit breaker (DCCB) technology, though crucial to ensure the safety of DC systems, is still in the early stages of development. As protection devices, their reliable operation is paramount and the selection and sizing of their components are not trivial. In this regard, comprehensive design guidelines are developed for the DC solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) to ensure that its functional requirements can be met. System analyses and modeling are performed to understand the interactions between the various components, i.e. solid-state device, metal oxide varistor (MOV), and their impact on the breaker operation. A 2.5 kV, 400 A SSCB prototype is designed and verified with experimental results to validate the design approach. Traditional MOV based voltage clamping circuits (VCC) used in solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) impose a high interruption voltage on the main solid-state device. The voltage burden arises from the material properties of the MOV which fixes its clamping voltage at a value more than twice its maximum continuous dc voltage rating. A novel and reliable VCC termed as the electronic MOV (eMOV) is proposed to decouple the peak clamping voltage of the MOV from the nominal dc voltage of the system aiming to improve the voltage suppression index (V SI = Vpk/Vdc) of the VCC, thereby reducing the peak system voltage and allowing easier insulation design. By virtue of the proposed circuit, a lower voltage rated device can be used for the main switch enabling higher system efficiency and power density. In all, this work aims to address insulation system design for power electronics converters and systems, ultimately to eliminate PD under specified working voltage conditions for improved electrical safety and insulation lifetime. The implications of high-density integration, unsuitable ambient conditions and higher system voltages are considered to develop a suitable design and assessment methodology for practicing engineers. Techniques to mitigate/ manage E-Field inside and outside (surface) solid dielectric are proposed to attain the above goal. Additionally, design guidelines are formulated for DC SSCBs which are essential to the safety of DC distribution systems and an enhanced VCC is proposed for the same to limit its clamping voltage for easier insulation design. / Doctor of Philosophy / The recent advancements in power conversion technology have promoted the development and use of DC distribution networks for a variety of applications (e.g. electric ships, aircrafts, electric vehicle charging stations etc.). The insulation system of typical power electronics equipment consists of multiple solid insulating media (e.g. PCB dielectric, potting material, conformal coat etc.) separated by air gaps in the assembly. The combination of higher operating voltages, power density targets and unfavorable ambient conditions (e.g. low air pressure) can pose a risk to the insulation system of the equipment, if not addressed. The electric field (E-Field) stresses at certain vulnerable areas can exceed breakdown values of the corresponding media, initiating localized electrical discharge events also called as partial discharges (PD). Internal discharges generally occur in the vicinity of material defects, conductor discontinuities or sharp geometric features, while surface discharges may occur along exposed conductor metallizations on insulator surfaces (at the interface of multiple media) or critical air gaps in the assembly. PD events, while not posing any imminent threat, can degrade the surrounding area over time to reduce the operating life of the system and in some cases may cause catastrophic failures. Therefore, irrespective of location, such PD events must be eliminated to improve the overall system lifetime and reliability. Therefore, the main focus of this work is to develop insulation design guidelines and methodologies to achieve zero-PD operation of power converters and DC circuit breakers (DCCBs), both of which are key components of DC systems. A generalized design guideline is proposed to help with the insulation design of power electronics systems. Design techniques are developed to reduce E-field magnitude at critical areas to avoid over-designing the insulation system. Successful converter-level design examples are provided to validate the proposed approaches. DCCB technology is still in the early stages of development. As a protection device, its reliable operation is paramount and the selection and sizing of its components are not trivial. Therefore, in addition to the above insulation design methodology, comprehensive design guidelines are developed for the solid-state device and voltage clamping circuit (VCC) of the DC solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB), to ensure that its functional requirements can be met. Additionally, a novel VCC is proposed for the same to limit its fault interruption voltage for easier insulation design. Both SSCB and VCC prototypes are built and successfully demonstrated in a fault current breaking application. Overall, this dissertation provides a reference for the design and assessment of next generation power electronics converters and DC circuit breakers, to address, specifically, the challenges to their insulation systems.

No description available.

In this master thesis the new possibilities of software Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 are described. Autodesk Inventor is a system for 3D machine engineering containing tools for 3D modeling, information management, cooperation and technical support. Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 has a lot of new possibilities and improvements compared to the previous version. This Master thesis contains also description of the circuit breaker BD250N and its utilization in the distribution of low voltage. In enclosed CD the model animation of circuit breaker with description of modeling process can be found. The Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 is used for this master’s thesis – English version.

The heat generated in a circuit breaker can be transmitted in two ways: Either through metal parts of current path to conductors outside of device or through plastic parts or air of chassis. The accuracy of the simulation depends on the accuracy of the 3D model and all his parts and it also depends on precise definition of materials with precise definition of electrical and thermal parameters. Electrical circuit breaker has various source of the heat which results in raising temperature of the device above the level of environment. Heat sources are: 1) Joule’s loss of the circuit breaker current path. 2) Heat loss in a bimetal, which is used for thermal release. 3) Resistivity of contacts. This thesis deals with static state of thermal analysis so the sources do not include transient heat source for switching OFF and switching ON. Electrical circuit breakers are made in smaller and smaller forms however their electrical parameters are not decreasing with size. There is logical conclusion that there is more heat on the same unit size which makes thermal analysis of circuit breaker one of the most important part of development.

Master of Science / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Medhat M. Morcos / The inclusion of Selective Coordination in the NEC since the 2002 revision and the expansion of applications for which coordination of Over-current Protective Devices is required have resulted changes in design approaches for electrical engineers. In order to meet the requirements of the NEC regarding Selective Coordination for secondary power systems within buildings, often, upstream protective devices need to be held-in to a short-circuit condition, thus increasing the Arc Flash Energy. Electrical engineers must understand the many aspects of Selective Coordination when approaching a project from the very beginning. Decisions made by the engineer regarding Selective Coordination will have influence on project cost, project timeline, robustness of the electrical equipment, and safety of personnel working near or on the electrical equipment. The main objectives of this report are to convey an understanding of the following: recent changes in requirements for Selective Coordination, implications of short-circuit analysis, impacts of selectively coordinated systems on Arc Flash Energy, risks surrounding Arc Flash Hazards, and design processes regarding Selective Coordination.

Introdução: O arco dentário superior de pacientes com mordida cruzada posterior normalmente apresenta-se atrésico e a expansão rápida da maxila é indicada para esses casos durante a dentadura mista promovendo abertura da sutura palatina mediana e incrementos transversais na região posterior do arco dentário. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar os efeitos da expansão rápida da maxila, utilizando o disjuntor com cobertura em acrílico, por meio do acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico. Material e Método: A amostra do estudo foi composta por 21 pacientes com mordida cruzada posterior, uni ou bilaterais e atresia do arco dentário superior. O procedimento de expansão rápida da maxila foi realizado na dentadura mista tardia, por meio do aparelho de expansão com cobertura oclusal em acrílico. Foram realizados exames de feixe cônico antes da instalação do aparelho e 06 meses após a instalação do disjuntor McNamara, na ocasião da remoção do aparelho. Nas imagens de tomografia computadorizada, as mensurações foram realizadas por meio do software On Demand 3D (Versão 1.0, Cybermed Inc., Seul, Coreia do Sul). Nas imagens de tomografia computadorizada foram analisadas a espessura das tábuas ósseas vestibular e lingual, o nível da crista óssea vestibular dos primeiros molares permanentes, a largura do palato duro, a distância transversa entre os primeiros molares superiores. Os parâmetros clínicos foram obtidos mensalmente até o final do tratamento: o índice de placa dental visível (IPV), índice sangramento gengival (ISG), profundidade de sondagem (PS), nível clínico de inserção (NIC) e índice de sangramento à sondagem (SS). As medidas pré e pós-tratamento foram submetidas ao teste t pareado (p<0,05). Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o tempo inicial e final para as variáveis IPV, ISG, ISS, PS E NIC, porém houve um aumento significativo para PS e NIC durante os períodos de 30, 60 e 150 dias. Os resultados das medidas realizadas por meio da TCFC não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os tempos para a altura da crista óssea vestibular. A espessura da tábua óssea vestibular diminuiu nos molares permanentes e deciduos, sendo essa diminuição significativa apenas nos molares permanentes (p<0,05), enquanto que no lado palatino aumentou significativamente (p<0,001) em todos os dentes analisados. Não houve redução da crista óssea vestibular. À distância bi-molar mostrou um aumento significativo (p<0,001) tanto na região cervical quanto na região apical. O mesmo aumento significativo (p<0,001) foi verificado para a largura do palato. Conclusão: Os resultados dos parâmetros clínicos e das medidas realizadas por meio da tomografia computadorizada permitiu constatar o efeito ortopédico do disjuntor com acrílico na oclusal dos dentes na expansão rápida da maxila. As alterações observadas não sugerem danos significativos aos dentes e nas estruturas periodontais avaliadas. / Introduction: The upper dental arch of patients with posterior crossbite is usually atresic and rapid maxillary expansion is indicated for these cases during the mixed dentition, promoting the opening of the medial palatine suture and transverse increments in the posterior region of the dental arch. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion using the acrylic cover breaker, through clinical and radiographic monitoring. Material and Method: The study sample consisted of 21 patients with posterior crossbite, uni or bilateral and upper dental arch atresia. The rapid maxillary expansion procedure was performed in the late mixed dentition using the expansion apparatus with acrylic occlusal cover. Cone beam tests were performed prior to appliance installation and 06 months after the McNamara circuit breaker was installed at the time of removal. Computed tomography images were measured using On Demand 3D software (Version 1.0, Cybermed Inc., Seoul, South Korea). Computed tomography images were analyzed for the thickness of the buccal and lingual bone plates, the level of the buccal bone crest of the first permanent molars, the width of the hard palate, the transverse distance between the first maxillary first molars. Clinical parameters were obtained monthly until the end of the treatment: visible dental plaque index (IPV), gingival bleeding index (ISG), probing depth (PS), clinical insertion level (NIC) and bleeding probing index SS). Pre- and posttreatment measurements were submitted to paired t-test (p <0.05). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the initial and final time for IPV, ISG, ISS, PS and NIC, but there was a significant increase for PS and CIN during the 30, 60 and 150 day periods. The results of the measurements made through the CBCT did not show statistically significant differences between the times for the height of the buccal bone crest. The thickness of the buccal bone plate decreased in the permanent and deciduous molars, which was only significant in the permanent molars (p <0.05), whereas on the palatine side it increased significantly (p <0.001) in all teeth analyzed. There was no reduction of the buccal bone crest. At the bi-molar distance showed a significant increase (p <0.001) in both the cervical region and the apical region. The same significant increase (p <0.001) was found for the width of the palate. Conclusion: The results of the clinical parameters and the measurements made by means of the computerized tomography allowed to verify the orthopedic effect of the acrylic breaker in the occlusal of the teeth in the rapid expansion of the maxilla. The observed changes do not suggest significant damage to the teeth and to the periodontal structures evaluated.

A new measurement technique called fiber optic reflectometer (FOR) was developed to investigate multiphase flows. The principle and setup of the FOR technique were introduced and applied to various experiments. Based on the coherently mixed signal between the Fresnel reflection off the fiber-liquid interface and the scattered signal off the object, such as a gas bubble, and a solid particle, this single probe technique is capable of simultaneously measuring the velocity of the object with a high accuracy and the phase of the fluid. In addition, bubble diameter, velocity, and void fraction were measured directly. By means of a simple modification of the FOR technique, solute concentration and refractive index change were measured with a greatly improved accuracy. This modified technique was used for measuring of a NaCl concentration in deionized water to validate a new normalization technique. In the second part of this thesis, a plunging breaking wave in deep water has been studied. Using the wave focusing method, a strong plunging breaker was generated with accuracy in the deep water condition in a two-dimensional wave tank. It was possible to describe the breaking process in detail using a high speed camera with a frame rate of 500 or 1000 fps. Four kinds of experimental techniques were employed or developed to investigate the plunging breaker. Bubble image velocimetry (BIV) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were used to measure the velocity fields. The velocity fields of the highly aerated region were obtained from the BIV measurements. In addition, the modified PIV technique is capable of measuring the velocities in the entire flow field including the aerated region. Mean and turbulent properties were obtained by the ensemble average. The mean velocity, mean vorticity, and mean kinetic energy were examined over the entire flow field. In addition, the Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy were calculated with high temporal and spatial resolutions. Free surface elevation was obtained from wave gauge measurements. BIV and PIV images were also used to obtain the free surface elevation and the boundary of the aerated region for more accurate results. The FOR technique was used to obtain the void ratio at each splash-up region. Compressibility of the plunging breaker was considered. Mass flux, momentum flux, kinetic energy, and Reynolds stresses at each FOR station were recalculated using the void ratio obtained from the FOR measurements. All terms at the first splash-up region were highly overestimated more than 100 percent unless the void ratio was applied to the calculation of fluxes and energies. Compared with the fully developed first splash-up region, the overestimation at the second and third splash-up was less significant. However, most terms were overestimated by 20~30 percent when the void ratio was not considered.

A vacuum interrupter is a switching device used in vacuum circuit breakers, which are widely employed in medium voltage circuits for interrupting the short-circuit fault currents. The vacuum interrupter is the chamber in which the arc extinction and hence the current interruption takes place. On the occurrence of a fault, the breaker mechanism separates the contacts of the vacuum interrupter. As the contacts separate, an arc is established between the contacts. The arc evolves in the contact space and extinguishes at or near the current zero, thus interrupting the current. The processes of arc ignition, evolution and extinction are very complex. These processes are fundamental to the design and the performance of the vacuum interrupter and hence the circuit breaker. The evolution of the arc predominantly depends on the short-circuit current, the design and metallurgy of the contacts. The evolution of the vacuum arc has been the focal point of considerable research activity. Significant effort has been concentrated to understand the various modes of the arc, the transition between the modes, the arc movement and the dependency on the contact design and finally the effect of the arc evolution on the current interruption performance of the vacuum interrupter. The voltage across the contacts during the arcing, termed as the arc voltage, has been a focal point of several research projects. Research has shown that the arc voltage depends strongly on the mode and the evolution process of the arc. The dependency is observed with respect to the magnitude and the nature of the arc voltage. This dependency has been established through the comparison of the arc voltage trace and the actual arc photographs. The arc voltage is thus an important parameter in understanding the arcing process in the interrupter. Arc voltage could also be utilised to compare the arcing behaviour in vacuum interrupters with different contact geometries and metallurgies. Having understood how the arc voltage depends on the arc modes and how it can be used to analyse the arcing performance of the interrupter, this work aims to establish experimentally the dependency of the arc voltage on fundamental parameters of the short-circuit current and the contact design. The variation of the arc voltage is studied with respect to the magnitude of the short-circuit current. It is seen that the magnitude of the arc voltage is higher, for a higher short-circuit current. This dependency is also reflected in the nature of the arc voltage waveform. The effect of cumulative short- circuit operations has been understood through the study of arc voltage variation with respect to the accumulated arcing time. It has been found that the arc voltage consistently decreases as the accumulated arcing time increases. The effect of the contact diameter on the arc evolution has been studied by comparing the arc voltage variations for contacts of different diameters for the same short-circuit current. It is observed that the variation of arc voltage with respect to the contact diameter depends on the type of contact. In the case of radial magnetic field contacts, it has been observed that the arc voltage is lower for a contact with lower diameter. Whereas in the case of axial magnetic field contacts there is an inverse relation between the contact diameter and the arc voltage. Finally, the effect of the type and distribution of the magnetic field on the arc voltage variation as well as the contact erosion has been studied. In general, the observations show that the arc voltage magnitude for the radial magnetic field geometry is higher than the axial magnetic field geometry. Also, there is a significant difference in the appearance of the arc voltage waveforms for the arcs under the two types of magnetic fields. Finite element simulations and short-circuit evaluations have shown that the axial magnetic field contact system with 90 deg coil orientations yield a more uniform distribution of the flux density and hence lower erosion of the contacts. These results show a clear dependence of the arc voltage on the various above mentioned parameters. Thus the arc voltage could be utilised as a diagnostic parameter during the evaluation of the vacuum interrupter. In the present scenario, significant research is being done to increase the breaking capacity of the interrupters. This calls for optimization of design of the existing contacts and the design of novel contact geometries. The arc voltage would be used as an important diagnostic tool in this process. Also, the utilization of vacuum interrupter in high voltage and extra high voltage circuits is being explored. This application requires increase in the contact gap or series connection of gaps. The arc behaviour in longer gaps and gaps connected in series would be an important research area. Again the arc voltage could be used to study the arc evolution in these specialised conditions. The experiments in this research work have been performed on commercial vacuum interrupters. For a dedicated research on vacuum arcs and vacuum interrupter contacts, development of a vacuum arc research facility has also been attempted as a part of this research work.

The aim of this thesis is to understand the decision-making processes concerning ice-breaking along the coast of Norrland, with the specific aim to analyse the activities of regional interest groups in the Norrland region and government agents at different administrative levels at the key stages of the decision-making processes: initiation, drafting and decision-making. The thesis also explores how institutional factors at different administrative levels affected the agents that were involved at those stages of the decision-making processes. As navigation along the northern Swedish coast must negotiate winter conditions which causes ports to freeze over, the government ice-breaking service functions as an instrument to compensate the export firms in Norrland for these constrains. Year-round navigation in the north Swedish coastal waters was achieved through a series of decision-making processes that took place during the period from 1940 to 1975. These decision-making processes are important to study since ice-breaking was an integrated component of the expanding heavy basic industries in Norrland and thereby for the rapidly growing exports during the 1950s and 1960s. This period is the decisive point in the economic history of the Norrland region regarding how the natural resources should be exploited and how exports should be advanced. This study concludes that the decision-making processes were initiated by government agents at different administrative levels. Official investigatory commissions were set up at several occasions to deal with issues related to the government ice-breaker service by the ministries responsible for ice-breaker policy. It is also demonstrated that the decision-making processes concerning ice-breaker investments were initiated by the government boards that were responsible for the operation of the ice-breaker service. In this respect, the study concludes that the government activities during the initiation stages should not be confused as a sign of regional interest group passivity on these issues. The activities of the interest groups during the initiation stages were primarily intended to draw attention to the problems caused by winter to regional shipping, in order to put the issue on the political agenda. As the decision-making processes proceeded into the drafting stages, the participation from regional interest groups was much more significant as the government offered interest groups forums and procedures for structural consulting through various organisational arrangements. The regional interest groups that participated in those arrangements were industrial firms in the heavy basic industries sector. In those cases other regional interest groups participated, they would promote the interests of those firms. As a result, the final drafts from committees and government bodies included arguments that favoured an expansion of ice-breaking to promote the growth of the heavy basic industries in the Norrland region. The analysis of the decision-making stages suggests that a combination of institutional factors at different administrative levels contributed to the outcome of the decision-making processes. One result is that the general aims of macro policy such as trade policy, growth policy and regional development policy were favourable towards an expansion of the government ice-breaker service, which would benefit the export industries in the Norrland region. Another result is that the sectoral organization within the government maritime bodies contributed significantly to the outcome of the decision-making processes. Large-scale planning and operational experimentation was allowed to take place within the ice-breaker service, which convinced the government that ice-breaking and winter navigation was a feasible transport alternative.