Design of Self-Powered Solid-State Fault Current Limiters for VSC DC Grids

Abstract

Abstract-Fault current limiters (FCLs) can suppress the rise of short-circuit fault currents in voltage source converter (VSC) based DC grids. However, the power electronic switches of FCLs need extra source equipment to supply the required power, which increases complexity and cost. This paper presents three kinds of self-powered solid-state FCLs (SSFCLs). The proposed self-powered SSFCLs detect short-circuit faults by sensing fault current increases and draw energy from the fault DC line to automatically drive the power electronic switches. The self-powered SSFCLs are equipped with a self-powered supply system (SPSS). The SPSS obtains energy from the magnetic field induced by short-circuit fault current using magnetic-coupling mutual inductance coils. In PSCAD/EMTDC, the proposed self-powered SSFCLs are placed directly on the DC line without external power supply equipment. When a short-circuit fault occurs, the simulation results verify that the proposed self-powered SSFCLs can rapidly acquire power to drive the power electronic switches and then suppress the rise of the fault current. The proposed self-powered SSFCL prototypes provide a solution for decreasing the cost and complexity associated with installing extra source equipment.

Analysis of the impact of transient overvoltage on grid-connected PMSG-based wind turbine systems

“…Using different Fault Current Limiter (FCL) topologies can enhance the fault ride-through capability of PMSG wind turbine systems during short-circuit faults (Okedu, 2022). A self-powered solid-state fault current limiter is proposed in reference (Xu et al, 2021), which detects short-circuit faults by sensing an increase in fault current.…”