Open AccessReview of different fault detection methods and their impact on pre‐emptive VSC‐HVDC dc protection performance
Author(s) -
Chang Bin,
Cwikowski Oliver,
Barnes Mike,
Shuttleworth Roger,
Beddard Antony,
Coventry Paul
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
high voltage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.732
H-Index - 20
ISSN - 2397-7264
DOI - 10.1049/hve.2017.0024
Subject(s) - converters , circuit breaker , transmission system , voltage source , fault (geology) , electric power system , modular design , power transmission , power electronics , high voltage direct current , engineering , electronic engineering , maximum power transfer theorem , power (physics) , computer science , high voltage , transmission (telecommunications) , voltage , electrical engineering , direct current , physics , quantum mechanics , seismology , geology , operating system
Multi‐terminal voltage‐sourced converters (VSC) high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is expected to play a vital role in future power systems. Compared with ac power transmission, dc transmission is more vulnerable to faults due to low dc‐side impedances and sensitive power electronics in the converters. Dc protection issues must be tackled before any multi‐terminal VSC‐HVDC grid can be built. The multi‐terminal VSC‐HVDC system is studied in detail using switching models for two‐level converters, detailed equivalent models for the modular multi‐level converters, detailed hybrid circuit breaker switching models and frequency‐dependent phase models for dc cables. Using such high‐fidelity system models, a systematic study of HVDC fault protection methodologies in more detail than previous studies is conducted. This is the first comprehensive study that includes pre‐emptive circuit breaker operation. The results presented in this study underline the benefits of such a detailed treatment of the breaker, and of considering it as part of a fast power electronics system rather than isolated dc equipment. The study identifies the best existing fault detection method and tests it extensively. In order to further improve post‐fault system recovery response, which is a key but often neglected part of previous studies, a novel bump‐less transfer control has been implemented in the converters.