Potential Use of Fault Current Limiter in VSC Based DC Transmission Systems

Abstract

DC transmission systems are playing a more important role today. While HVDC transmission technology wins on key aspects over AC transmissions, there are still problems which make it difficult to handle and expand to grids. Among these problems is the most undesirable one: interruption of dc currents. Using DC breakers based on various principles has proved to be effective. However, the function of DC breakers is still limited due to their capacities: most of them in use now do not play like breaker which can handle fault currents. In fact, in HVDC transmission systems, DC breakers cannot handle fault currents. To interrupt fault current in orders of 10kA or above is quite demanding for currently used DC breakers. IGBT breakers might be possible solutions; however their loss cannot be ignored. Implementing fault current limiters (FCL) could be very promising if possible. The problem is that most FCL is for AC use. Currently there are more than dozens kinds of FCL technologies, varies from traditional reactors one to novel ones like high temperature superconducting (HTS) or solid state FCL. They are originally invented to reduce fault currents in AC systems, thus these FCL for DC use still calls for investigation. This paper focuses on the current FCL technologies, discusses the possibility of implementing them in DC applications, especially in DC transmission systems whose currents are considerably larger.

Design of protection schemes for multi-terminal HVDC systems

“…With this in mind, a superconductor naturally emerges as a promising solution. More information about the effects of a superconducting fault current limiter in a VSC-HVDC system can be found in [74], [75] and [76]. Another approach to the current limiter subject is the development of new valve arrangements or the addition of new conduction paths to minimize the effects of the fault current at the converter.…”

Akats-korronteen mugaketa MMC bihurgailudun VSC-HVDC sistemetan

“…Hala ere, proposamen konplexuagoak ere aurki daitezke literaturan [10][11][12]. Oro har, FCL erresonanteak zirkuitu sinpleetan oinarritzen dira eskuarki, eta erraz inplementa daitezke.…”

Research on fast solid state DC breaker based on a natural current zero-crossing point

“…However, both solid state circuit breakers and hybrid DC circuit breakers require devices that are fully controlled. Not only it is expensive, but also the operating complexity is currently far from that required for industrial applications [15].…”