Fault detection in Multi-Terminal Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based High Voltage DC (HVDC) transmission system

Monday Ikhide, Sarath Tennakoon, Alison Griffiths, Sankara Subramanian, Hengxu Ha

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A Multi-Terminal High Voltage Direct Current (MT-HVDC) network is being considered for utilising the full potential of offshore wind power whereas its realisation is currently being hampered by protection issues. In this paper, a protection strategy for future DC grids based on Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based HVDC system is presented. Firstly, a fault detection technique based on initial di/dt measurement is presented and thereafter protection strategies for future DC grids are presented. The fault detection technique presented is based on estimating the initial rate of rise of the current, IRRC (di/dt) at fault inception using measured data and thereafter calculating the line inductance. The calculated line inductance is compared with a setting value to determine whether or not a fault has occurred, thus paving the way for a distance protection strategy. Simulations were carried out using Matlab/SIMULINK for varying fault distances. The results obtained show the validity of the technique in detecting and locating DC side short circuits. An advantage of this technique is that it relies only on information from the local end terminal and as such, no communication channel is required, hence satisfying the protection requirement of fast fault detection and location technique for MT-HVDC systems.
Original languageEnglish
Pages1-6
Number of pages7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event50th Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) - Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Sept 20154 Sept 2015
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/mostRecentIssue.jsp?punumber=7332335

Conference

Conference50th Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC)
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityStoke on Trent
Period1/09/154/09/15
Internet address

Keywords

  • Circuit faults,
  • Capacitors,
  • HVDC transmission,
  • Fault currents
  • Inductance,
  • Discharges (electric),
  • Converters

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fault detection in Multi-Terminal Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based High Voltage DC (HVDC) transmission system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this