Implementation of a Multiterminal Line Commutated Converter HVDC Scheme with Auxiliary Controller on South Africa’s 765 kV Corridor

Abstract

The deployment of a 765-kV transmission line on Eskom’s South African Grid marks the beginning of a new era in power industries. The integration of renewable energies by independent power producers (IPPs) leads to an infrastructural change in the stability performance of the entire grid. These developments are expected to bring about a multiterminal direct current (MTDC) system for practical implementation on this grid. Therefore, this study focuses on the dynamic response of the South African transmission grid during a system disturbance. In the carrying out of this study, the South African grid was modeled on PSCAD, and its performance was evaluated. The impact of the MTDC link on the grid’s interarea oscillation was also investigated. An additional current order controller for the MTDC link was developed, and its impact on the MTDC power transfer was analyzed. The results show a better system performance and reduced interarea power swings with the inclusion of the MTDC link.