Control of multi-terminal HVDC networks towards wind power integration: A review

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. More interconnections among countries and synchronous areas are foreseen in order to fulfil the EU 2050 target on the renewable generation share. One proposal to accomplish this challenging objective is the development of the so-called European SuperGrid. Multi-terminal HVDC networks are emerging as the most promising technologies to develop such a concept. Moreover, multi-terminal HVDC grids are based on highly controllable devices, which may allow not only transmitting power, but also supporting the AC grids to ensure a secure and stable operation. This paper aims to present an overview of different control schemes for multi-terminal HVDC grids, including the control of the power converters and the controls for power sharing and the provision of ancillary services. This paper also analyses the proposed modifications of the existing control schemes to manage high participation shares of wind power generation in multi-terminal grids.Postprint (author's final draft

Frequency support using multi-terminal HVDC systems based on DC voltage manipulation

This paper investigates the use of multi-terminal HVDC systems to provide primary frequency support to connected AC networks via coordinated DC voltage manipulation. Control schemes for multi-terminal HVDC systems to allow redistribution of active power, based on the idea of “power priority” are proposed. Inertia response from DC connected large offshore wind farms can also be incorporated based on the detection of DC voltage derivation at the offshore converter terminal without the need for telecommunication between the DC terminals. Simulation studies based on a three - terminal HVDC system connecting one large wind farm and two separate AC networks validate the operation of the system during frequency events

Combined stability and electro-magnetic transients simulation of offshore wind power connected through multi-terminal VSC-HVDC

Offshore wind energy has a high potential especially in Northern-Europe. Future wind power plants may be situated further from the shore and therefore a high-voltage direct current connection based on voltage sourced converters is most suitable for grid integration. Connection utilization can be improved by interconnecting several wind power plants leading to multiterminal schemes. This paper describes a modeling approach that facilitates the incorporation of such (offshore) dc-systems into transient stability simulations. It enables the possibility to use a different simulation approach for each side of the converters, i.e. to represent the acside by complex phasors and the dc-side by electro-magnetic transients. Coupling between the ac and dc-sides is obtained by the active power balance. To study the interaction between the multi-terminal scheme and the onshore network an illustrative test-network has been taken. A chopper-controlled braking resistor that protects the dc-circuit against overvoltages has been included and is expressed as a variable resistance. Methods to distribute the wind power among the onshore converters are explored and operation without a supervisory dispatch controller has been studied

Grid Code-Dependent Frequency Control Optimization in Multi-Terminal DC Networks

The increasing deployment of wind power is reducing inertia in power systems. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology can help to improve the stability of AC areas in which a frequency response is required. Moreover, multi-terminal DC (MTDC) networks can be optimized to distribute active power to several AC areas by droop control setting schemes that adjust converter control parameters. To this end, in this paper, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to improve the primary frequency response in AC areas considering several grid limitations and constraints. The frequency control uses an optimization process that minimizes the frequency nadir and the settling time in the primary frequency response. Secondly, another layer is proposed for the redistribution of active power among several AC areas, if required, without reserving wind power capacity. This method takes advantage of the MTDC topology and considers the grid code limitations at the same time. Two scenarios are defined to provide grid code-compliant frequency control.Australian Education International, Australian Government TEC2016-80242-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad DPI2016-75294-C2-2-

Optimisation and Integration of Variable Renewable Energy Sources in Electricity Networks

The growing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into the electricity power grid is profitable from a sustainable point of view and provides economic benefit for long-term operation. Nevertheless, balancing production and consumption is and will always be a crucial requirement for power system operation. However, the trend towards increasing RESs penetration has raised concerns about the stability, reliability and security of future electricity grids. The clearest observation in this regard is the intermittent nature of RESs. Moreover, the location of renewable generation tends to be heavily defined by meteorological and geographical conditions, which makes the generation sites distant from load centres. These facts make the analysis of electricity grid operation under both dynamic and the steady state more difficult, posing challenges in effectively integrating variable RESs into electricity networks. The thesis reports on studies that were conducted to design efficient tools and algorithms for system operators, especially transmission system operators for reliable short-term system operation that accounts for intermittency and security requirements. Initially, the impact of renewable generation on the steady state is studied in the operation stage. Then, based on the first study, more sophisticated modeling on the electricity network are investigated in the third and fourth chapters. Extending the previous studies, the fourth chapter explores the potential of using multiple microgrids to support the main grid’s security control. Finally, the questions regarding the computational efficiency and convergence analysis are addressed in chapter 5 and a DSM model in a real-time pricing environment is introduced. This model presents an alternative way of using flexibility on the demand side to compensate for the uncertainties on the generation side

Analysis of storage systems for MTDC

Les sources d'électricité renouvelables sont de plus en plus intégrées dans le système électrique, posant des problèmes en termes d'inertie, de fiabilité du réseau et de qualité de l'énergie. La majeure partie de ces sources d'énergie, telles que les éoliennes, sont situées loin des systèmes électriques. Le système de transmission de courant continu haute tension (VSC-HVDC) basé sur un convertisseur de source de tension est idéal pour connecter les parcs éoliens offshore au réseau électrique CA onshore. Depuis plus de 50 ans, les systèmes à courant continu haute tension (HVDC) sont utilisés dans les systèmes de transmission d'énergie. Ce système de transport présente plusieurs avantages, notamment une distribution d'énergie active et réactive découplée, la possibilité d'inverser les flux d'énergie sans ajuster la polarité de la tension et la capacité de fonctionner dans des réseaux électriques vulnérables et indépendants. Outre les avantages mentionnés ci-dessus, les systèmes HVDC sont considérés comme une alternative viable aux systèmes de transmission conventionnels en raison de leur potentiel à transmettre de vastes volumes d'énergie sur de longues distances. En raison de la faible perte de puissance du câble, les technologies HVDC sont idéales pour transporter l'énergie électrique sur de longues distances. Ses principales utilisations comprennent l'interconnexion de réseau non synchrone, le transfert d'énergie électrique à longue distance et la transmission de câbles sous-marins et souterrains. La mise en œuvre d'un réseau hybride AC-HVDC est une étape importante dans le développement des techniques HVDC, car elle conduit à un changement dans la structure du système DC de connexions DC autonomes point à point vers un HVDC multi-terminal (MTDC) système. L'un des types les plus courants de topologies de réseau à courant continu est le VSC-HVDC multi-terminal, qui a plus de deux VSC reliés aux réseaux à courant continu. Seule la technologie VSC, et non la technologie LCC, permet ces types de réseaux HVDC maillés. Cela est dû à la capacité des IGBT à transférer le courant dans les deux sens tout en conservant la même polarité de tension. Le système MTDC est une solution appropriée pour les interconnexions d'énergie propre, et il contribuera à augmenter la stabilité, la flexibilité et les performances du système électrique. Les convertisseurs électroniques de puissance sont utilisés dans les réseaux MTDC pour communiquer avec les systèmes CA et fournir des services de contrôle. Les convertisseurs électroniques de puissance (AC / DC ou DC / DC) joueront sans aucun doute un rôle important pour garantir une stabilité, des performances et une rentabilité élevées du réseau. L'inertie globale du système diminue à mesure que les interconnexions de convertisseurs électroniques de puissance deviennent plus répandues dans le système d'alimentation. Les systèmes de génération d'interconnexion basés sur VSC, tels que les éoliennes, n'ont pas de contribution inertielle par défaut, contrairement aux générateurs synchrones. Une éolienne, par contre, peut être conçue pour fournir une assistance inertielle en ajustant la puissance de sortie pour compenser les conditions du réseau. Plusieurs solutions au manque d'inertie de ces structures à interface électronique ont été proposées. Il est indéniable que les systèmes de stockage d'énergie (SSE) basés sur des convertisseurs de puissance ont la capacité d'améliorer le comportement transitoire du système électrique. La modulation d'une fréquence d'appareil donnée est l'un des objectifs fondamentaux des ESS. L'énergie cinétique contenue dans la masse mobile des éoliennes, le stockage d'énergie par batterie, le stockage d'énergie par air comprimé, le stockage d'énergie par volant, le stockage d'énergie par supercondensateur et le stockage d'énergie magnétique supraconductrice font partie des technologies actuellement proposées. En proposant la technologie MMC pour VSC, l'utilisation de l'énergie stockée dans les stations de conversion devient plus possible car une capacité de stockage d'énergie plus capacitive est disponible dans ce type de convertisseur par rapport à un VSC traditionnel à deux niveaux. L'étude actuelle suggère que les capacités du système HVDC soient utilisées pour améliorer et sécuriser le réseau à courant alternatif du système. Les systèmes de stockage d'énergie (ESS) sont utilisés dans les réseaux MTDC pour surveiller l'électricité, la fréquence, la tension du réseau en courant continu et le partage d'énergie dans diverses conditions, y compris les pannes et les pannes de convertisseur. En résumé, les systèmes électriques sont confrontés à de nouveaux problèmes en raison de la forte pénétration des sources d'énergie renouvelables qui sont connectées au réseau par un convertisseur électronique de puissance. En conséquence, l'augmentation de la connexion de base du convertisseur affecte la fréquence et la stabilité de la tension du système d'alimentation. Les normes de liaison au réseau ont plusieurs objectifs de base, dont l'un est de maintenir la fiabilité globale du système électrique. L'étude actuelle suggère d'utiliser des systèmes de stockage d'énergie (SSE) dans les systèmes HVDC pour augmenter la stabilité du système électrique. Bien que l'utilisation de systèmes de stockage d'énergie (tels que des batteries, des volants d'inertie, des super-condensateurs ou des systèmes d'énergie magnétique supraconducteurs) ait déjà été réalisée pour augmenter l'inrtie du réseau, la combinaison de l'utilisation de systèmes de stockage d'énergie (tels que des batteries, des volants d'inertie, des super-condensateurs, ou systèmes d'énergie magnétique supraconducteurs est quelque peu nouvelle et fascinante dans les réseaux MTDC. Ce concept sera testé sur une variété de systèmes HVDC (point à point, MTDC) pour voir comment l'ESS affecte les différentes caractéristiques du réseau lorsqu'il est connecté via des convertisseurs.Renewable electricity sources are increasingly being integrated into the power system, posing problems in terms of inertia, grid reliability, and power quality. The bulk of these energy sources, such as wind turbines, are situated far from power systems. The voltage-source converter-based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) transmission system is a good fit for connecting offshore wind farms to the onshore AC power grid. For more than 50 years, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems have been used in power transmission systems. This transmission system has several benefits, including decoupled active and reactive power distribution, the ability to reverse power flows without adjusting voltage polarity, and the ability to run in vulnerable and independent power networks. Aside from the benefits mentioned above, HVDC systems are seen as a viable alternative to conventional transmission systems due to their potential to transmit vast volumes of power over long distances. Because of the low cable power loss, HVDC technologies are ideal for transporting electrical power over long distances. Its key uses include nonsynchronous network interconnection, long-distance electrical energy transfer, and underwater and underground cable transmission. Implementing a hybrid AC-HVDC grid is a significant step forward in the development of HVDC techniques, as it leads to a shift in the dc system's structure from point-to-point stand-alone dc connections to a multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) system. One of the most common types of dc grid topologies is multi-terminal VSC-HVDC, which has more than two VSC linked to the dc grids. Only VSC technology, not LCC technology, allows for these types of meshed HVDC grids. This is due to IGBTs' ability to transfer current in both directions while maintaining the same voltage polarity. The MTDC system is an appropriate solution for clean energy interconnections, and it will help to increase power system stability, flexibility, and equipment performance. Power electronic converters are used in MTDC grids to communicate with AC systems and provide control services. Power electronic converters (AC/DC or DC/DC) will undoubtedly play an important role in ensuring high grid stability, performance, and cost-effectiveness. The overall system inertia is decreasing as power electronic converter interconnections become more prevalent in the power system. VSC-based interconnection generation systems, such as wind turbines, do not have an inertial contribution by default, unlike synchronous generators. By adjusting the power output to adapt to grid circumstances, a wind turbine, on the other hand, may provide inertial support. The problem of inertia reduction in the AC/DC system has been tackled using a variety of methods. To provide frequency support for connected AC grids, these solutions include utilizing the control capability of MTDC systems and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs). It is an undeniable fact that power converter-based Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) have the ability to improve power system transient behavior. The modulation of a given device frequency is one of the basic goals of ESSs. Kinetic energy contained in the moving mass of wind turbines, battery energy storage, compressed air energy storage, flywheel energy storage, supercapacitor energy storage, and superconducting magnetic energy storage are among the technologies currently proposed. By proposing the MMC technology for VSC, using the energy stored in the converter stations is becoming more possible because more capacitive energy storage capability is available in this kind of converter in comparison with a traditional two-level VSC. The current research implies that the HVDC system's capabilities might be used to improve and safeguard the interconnected ac network. Furthermore, Energy storage systems (ESS) are used in MTDC grids to monitor electricity, frequency, dc network voltage, and power-sharing under a variety of conditions, including faults and outages. In a summary, power systems are facing new problems as a result of the high penetration of renewable energy sources that are connected to the grid by a power electronic converter. As a result, the increasing converter base connection affects the power system's frequency and voltage stability. Grid link standards have several basic goals, one of which is to maintain the overall reliability of the power system. To improve power system stability, the present study proposes utilizing the control capacity of MTDC systems and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) in MTDC systems. The proposed approach enables the VSC converters to provide short-term frequency support for the AC side and improve the DC grid stability. While using energy storage systems (such as batteries, flywheels, super-capacitors, or superconductor magnetic energy systems) to increase grid inertia has been achieved before, the combination of using energy storage systems (such as batteries, flywheels, super-capacitors, or superconductor magnetic energy systems) in MTDC networks is somewhat new and fascinating. This concept will be tested on a variety of HVDC systems (point to point, MTDC) to see how ESS affects the network's various characteristics when connected through converters

Cooperative Power Sharing control in Multi-terminal VSC-HVDC

The Multi-terminal high voltage DC (MTDC) system is a viable solution for increasing an electrical power generation to interconnect renewable resources into an AC grid. Using a voltage source converter (VSC) allows independent control of a reactive and an active power flow. Based on the literature, there is a trend to implement MTDC into a distribution grid system in the future. Power sharing control among MTDCs is an important and critical consideration from the point of view of stability and operation. MTDC systems consist of multi-input converters (rectifiers) and single or multi-output converters (inverters), thus controlling and operating MTDC systems pose many challenges due to their complexity. Since the DC link in MTDC systems might have several connection nodes all having a common DC voltage value, using the DC voltage value as a common reference for all terminal control loops makes it possible to get a cooperative control performance. An economical autonomous control to share active power among MTDC systems based on the availability of active power or power management policy is proposed in this thesis. Power sharing among MTDC systems has a priority or sequential procedural problem because of the use of the conventional droop strategy. On the other hand, using predefined or constant power sharing does not provide the available power that can be shared when it is not being consumed by another inverter. The proposed strategy solves these issues using different options. In this thesis, the test system consists of four simulated VSC terminals based on a detailed switching VSC model with two AC voltage levels. The MTDC system is simulated in a PSCAD/EMTDC environment. The simulation results show a significant decrease in operational costs and protection from overloading which had been an issue