Review of dc-dc converters for multi-terminal HVDC transmission networks

This study presents a comprehensive review of high-power dc-dc converters for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, with emphasis on the most promising topologies from established and emerging dc-dc converters. In addition, it highlights the key challenges of dc-dc converter scalability to HVDC applications, and narrows down the desired features for high-voltage dc-dc converters, considering both device and system perspectives. Attributes and limitations of each dc-dc converter considered in this study are explained in detail and supported by time-domain simulations. It is found that the front-to-front quasi-two-level operated modular multilevel converter, transition arm modular converter and controlled transition bridge converter offer the best solutions for high-voltage dc-dc converters that do not compromise galvanic isolation and prevention of dc fault propagation within the dc network. Apart from dc fault response, the MMC dc auto transformer and the transformerless hybrid cascaded two-level converter offer the most efficient solutions for tapping and dc voltage matching of multi-terminal HVDC networks

Operation and control of a current source converter series tapping of an LCC-HVDC link for integration of offshore wind power plants

This work presents a series tapping station for integrating Offshore Wind Power Plants (OWPP) into a (Line Commutated Converter High Voltage Direct Current) LCC-HVDC transmission system. The tapping station allows to integrate wind power resources without building a new HVDC link and it is based on a Current Source Converter (CSC). However, the CSC requires a minimum DC current to extract the power coming from the OWPP which may not be guaranteed depending on the power conditions of the HVDC corridor. For this reason, this paper proposes a coordinated operation and control of the CSC and the OWPP. A steady-state analysis is performed to determine the appropriate AC voltage level of the CSC. A power reduction algorithm is presented to limit power extraction during a reduction in the current of the HVDC transmission system and under loss of communications between the CSC and the OWPP. The proposed algorithm and the performance of the system are validated through simulation results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Performance analysis of multi-level high voltage direct current converter

The conventional three-phase alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter can be modified using two isolated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) as by-pass switches connected to tapping points on the secondary side of the transformer. This scheme yields a reduction in both harmonic contents and reactive volt-ampere absorption. This modified converter possibly eliminates the need for an on-load tap-changer on the converter transformer. The modified AC/DC converter is fully analyzed and implemented under balanced conditions using MATLAB-Simulink. The expressions of the output DC voltage are derived for different cases. The supply current harmonic contents, the reactive power absorption and the power factor have been compared for three schemes; the conventional bridge, the modified bridge using one by-pass IGBT valve and the modified bridge with two by-pass IGBT valves.

A compact modular multilevel DC-DC converter for high step-ratio MV and HV use

In multi-terminal dc networks or future dc grids, there is an important role for high step-ratio dc-dc conversion to interface a high voltage network to lower voltage infeeds or offtakes. The efficiency and controllability of dc-dc conversion will be expected to be similar to modular multi-level ac-dc converters. This paper presents a modular multilevel dc-dc converter with a high step-ratio for medium voltage and high voltage applications. Its topology on high-voltage side is derived from the half-bridge single-phase inverter with stacks of sub-modules replacing each of the switch positions. A near-square-wave current operation is proposed which achieves near-constant instantaneous power for single-phase conversion, leading to reduced stack capacitor and filter volume and also increased the power device utilization. A controller for energy balancing and current tracking is designed. The soft-switching operation on the low-voltage side is demonstrated. The high step-ratio is accomplished by combination of inherent half-bridge ratio, sub-module stack modulation and transformer turns-ratio, which also offers flexibility to satisfy wide-range conversion requirement. The theoretical analysis of this converter is verified by simulation of a full-scale 40MW, 200 kV converter with 146 sub-modules and also through experimental testing of a down-scaled prototype at 4.5 kW, 1.5 kV with 18 sub-modules

DC fault isolation study of bidirectional dual active bridge DC/DC converter for DC transmission grid application

Fast isolation and detection of DC faults is currently a limiting factor in high power DC transmission grid development. Recent research has shown that the role of DC/DC converters is becoming increasingly important in solving various DC grid challenges such as voltage stepping, galvanic isolation and power regulation. This paper focuses on an additional important feature of bidirectional dual active bridge (DAB) DC-DC converters which make it attractive for future DC grids; it's inherent fault isolation capability which does not need control intervention to limit fault current in case of the most severe DC faults. Detailed analytical, simulation and experimental study are performed by subjecting the converter to DC short circuit faults at its DC voltage terminals. The results obtained have shown significant advantage of DAB where fault current is less than rated current during the fault duration. Thus no control action is necessary from the non-faulted bridge to limit fault current and no external DC circuit breakers are required. This advantage makes DAB converter feasible for DC grid integration

Multi-pole voltage source converter HVDC transmission systems

This study connects several modular multilevel converters to form multi-pole voltage source converter highvoltage dc (VSC-HVDC) links which are suited for bulk power evacuation, with increased resiliency to ac and dc network faults. The proposed arrangements resemble symmetrical and asymmetrical HVDC links that can be used for bulk power transfer over long distances with reduced transmission losses, and for the creation of multi-terminal supergrids currently being promoted for transitional dc grids in Europe. The technical feasibility of the proposed systems is assessed using simulations on symmetrical and asymmetrical tri-pole VSC-HVDC links, including the case of permanent pole-to-ground dc faults

DC current flow controllers for meshed HVDC grids

Premi Extraordinari de Doctorat, promoció 2018-2019. Àmbit d’Enginyeria IndustrialMeshed High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grids are seen as solution to transmit and exchange high amounts of power across long distances or using submarine cables with high levels of flexibility and redundancy. Also, they can be especially suitable to integrate offshore energy resources such as offshore wind power plants. This thesis focuses on the DC Current Flow Controllers (CFC) for meshed HVDC grids. The CFCs are being thought as power electronics based devices that may be installed in future meshed HVDC grids to aid in the current flow regulation. The concept is similar to Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) but applied to HVDC grids. First, an overview of the different CFC concepts proposed in the literature is presented. Then, the modelling and control of a DC/DC CFC converter is developed and the benefits of installing it in a meshed HVDC grid are analysed. The functionality of the previous CFC is also integrated into a DC Circuit Breaker, in order to have a single device with both capability to interrupt DC faults and provide DC current regulation. Afterwards, an interline DC/DC CFC topology is proposed, which has the advantage of a simplified converter structure. It is validated using dynamic simulations and a prototype is built and tested in a meshed DC grid experimental platform. A single CFC may not be enough to regulate the current flows in complex meshed HVDC grids, thus, this work also considers the concept of Distributed CFCs (DCFC) in a meshed HVDC grid, which are being operated selectively, allowing more flexibility when regulating the current flows. Also, multiple lines can be connected to a certain HVDC node. Therefore, the proposed CFC is extended to be connected to any number of HVDC lines and so, be able to control the current circulating through any of them. The obtained multi-port CFC is validated through simulations. Other devices can help to the current regulation in meshed HVDC grids, for example already installed DC/DC converters that adapt the different voltages of the HVDC systems. A transformerless DC/DC topology is analysed in this work and the design of its AC filter addressed. Finally, taking into account that some HVDC links based on Line Commutated Converters (LCC-HVDC) are installed near to potential offshore wind power resources, this work studies the operation and control of a Current Source Converter (CSC) based tapping station connected in series with the HVDC link to integrate offshore wind power.Les xarxes d'alta tensió mallades en contínua, meshed High voltatge Direct Current (HVDC) grids, es presenten com una solució per transportar grans quantitats d'energia a través de llargues distàncies o mitjançant cables submarins amb alts nivells de flexibilitat i redundància. També, són especialment adequades per la captació d'energia de parcs eòlics marins. Aquesta tesi se centra en els controladors del flux de corrent, Current Flow Controllers (CFC), per a xarxes HVDC mallades. Els CFC es plantegen com dispositius d'electrònica de potència que es podrien instal·lar en les futures xarxes HVDC mallades per tal d'ajudar en la regulació dels fluxos de corrent de les línies. Aquest concepte és similar als dispositius FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems), però aplicat a xarxes HVDC. Primer, es realitza un recull de les diferents propostes de CFCs a la literatura. Després, es modelitza i es dissenya el control d'un convertidor DC/DC CFC i s'analitzen els beneficis d'instal·lar-lo en una xarxa HVDC mallada. La funcionalitat de l'anterior CFC s'inclou en els interruptors de contínua, DC Circuit Breakers (DCCB), per tal de tenir un dispositiu amb capacitat d'interropre faltes DC i també controlar corrents. A continuació, es proposa una topologia de CFC simplicada, que es valida per mitjà de simulacions i se'n construeix un prototip que es prova experimentalment al laboratori. Un únic CFC pot no ser suficient per a controlar els fluxos de corrent en xarxes HVDC mallades d'una certa complexitat. És per això, que també s'introdueix el concepte de CFCs distribuïts en diferents nodes de la xarxa i que s'operen de forma selectiva. Vàries línies HVDC poden estar connectades a un node, per aquest motiu, la topologia de CFC anteriorment presentada s'actualitza per tal de poder ser connectada a un nombre qualsevol de línies. La topologia multi-port obtinguda es valida per mitjà de simulacions. Altres dispositius que poden ajudar a controlar els fluxos de corrent són els propis convertidors DC/DC que s'encarreguen d'adaptar la tensió dels sistemes HVDC. S'analitza també un convertidor DC/DC sense transformador AC i es realitza el disseny del seu filtre AC. Finalment, algunes de les línies HVDC basades en tecnologia Line Commutated Converter (LCC) es troben a prop de zones amb energia eòlica potencial. Per aquest motiu, s'estudia l'operació i control d'un convertidor Current Source Converter (CSC) que actua com una estació de tapping per tal d'injectar l'energia d'un parc eòlic marí a la línia LCC-HVDC.Award-winningPostprint (published version