HVDC transmission for access to off‐shore renewable energy: a review of technology and fault detection techniques

Abstract

The ever-increasing demand for electric power has partially been met with access to offshore renewable energy, such as wind and tidal energy. With the development in power electronics, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission is taking over as the primary choice for connecting offshore generation to onshore grids. Voltage source converter (VSC)-based HVDC is set to become the backbone of the multi-terminal DC grids replacing the conventional line commutated converter networks. VSC-HVDC networks offer the flexibility for HVDC grids to be connected as conventional AC grids in a meshed network. Advancement of technology has led to the development of the modular multilevel converter which has higher efficiency compared to the two-level VSC configurations. They are gradually becoming a popular choice. Although VSC-based grids offer a varied range of advantages, it is highly vulnerable to DC faults. Many designs of breakers have been patented over the years and various means have been proposed for their control. This study aims to review the available designs of HVDC terminals, the available protection devices and the protection and control methods for HVDC breakers. By comparing the state-of-the-art technologies that are currently available, this study aims to address the research issues and the additional research and development work that needs to be done.

Enhanced Fault Current-Limiting Circuit Design for a DC Fault in a Modular Multilevel Converter-Based High-Voltage Direct Current System

“…Figure 3. Direct current pole-to-pole fault circuit diagram before blocking submodules N in the existing references [5,6,15,17]. However, Reference [36] proposed that the calculation value of the fault current with C eq = C 0 N is close to the simulation value.…”

“…A related analysis of DC faults has been performed to enhance its fault ride through (FRT) ability under DC fault in the VSC-HVDC system [4,5]. An overview of HVDC system protection mentions that the major limitation in development of VSC-HVDC is the inability to limit fault current, given the limitation of the DC circuit breaker (DCCB) in interruption capability and operation speed [6]. Moreover, limiting fault current can protect the semiconductor device from excessive electrical pressure, particularly insulated gate bipolar thyristor (IGBT) and freewheeling diode in a converter sub-module (SM).…”

Analysis of an eddy current brake for an actuator of a high‐voltage direct current circuit breaker

“…By combining (4) and (12), the governing equation for the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the EB can be obtained as shown as follows:…”

“…High-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems have many merits such as high efficiency and low cost of transmission, ease of connection between different electric power systems, and efficient linkage with a renewable energy source [1][2][3][4].…”

Location and size determination method of SFCLs in multi‐terminal VSC‐HVDC using iterative current reduction ranking

“…Moreover, these methods in the AC grids are not applicable in the multi-terminal VSC-HVDC. This is because the fault characteristics are the basis to determine the location and size of SFCLs, while the topology, operation and protection of multi-terminal VSC-HVDC are quite different to those of AC grids [25], leading distinctive fault characteristics [26,27]. In short, it is essential to develop the determination method of SFCLs for multi-terminal VSC-HVDC.…”