Abstract:DC series-parallel power flow controller (SP-PFC) is a highly efficient device to solve the problem of uncontrolled line current in the bipolar DC distribution system. However, its potential in fault current limiting is not fully explored. In this paper, a self-adaptive action strategy (SAAS) and a parameter optimization method of SP-PFC in bipolar DC distribution systems are proposed. Firstly, the common- and different-mode (CDM) equivalent circuits of the bipolar DC distribution system with SP-PFC in different fault stages are established, which avoids the line coupling inductance. Based on this, the influence of different parameters and line coupling inductance on the fault current limiting capability are investigated. It is found that the SP-PFC has the best fault current limiting capability when the capacitance and inductance of filter are inversely proportional. To realize the adaptability of fault current limiting capability under different fault severities, the SAAS of SP-PFC is proposed. The validity of the CDM equivalent circuits and parameter optimization method, and the effectiveness of the SAAS are verified by simulations and experiments.

Abstract:In order to overcome the problems of power flow control and fault current limiting in multi-terminal high voltage direct current (MTDC) grids, this paper proposes a modular multi-terminal DC power flow controller (MM-DCPFC) with fault current limiting function. The topology structure, operation principle, and equivalent circuit of MM-DCPFC are introduced, and such a structure has the advantages of modularity and scalability. The power balance mechanism is studied and a hierarchical power balance control strategy is proposed. The results show that MM-DCPFC can achieve internal power exchange, which avoids the use of external power supply. The fault characteristics of MM-DCPFC are analyzed, fault current limiting and self-protection methods are proposed, and the factors affecting the current limiting capability are studied. The simulation models are established in PLECS, and the simulation results verify the effectiveness of MM-DCPFC in power flow control, fault current limiting, and scalability. In addition, a prototype is developed to validate the function and control method of MM-DCPFC.

Abstract:Fault current limiting is a critical technology to ensure the safe operation of modular multilevel converter based multi-terminal direct current (MMC-MTDC) grids. This paper proposes a fault severity classification based coordination control strategy of fault current limiter (FCL) and MMC for adaptive fault current limiting. The proposed strategy reduces the investment in FCL, and keeps the bus voltages of non-faulty lines at reasonable values. Firstly, a rapid fault circuit parameter estimation (FCPE) method using initial fault current information is proposed. With this method, the fault distance and fault transition resistance can be quickly estimated, which are used for a quantitative indication of the fault severity. Subsequently, the coordination control strategy of FCL and MMC is proposed, in which the FCL action is prioritized, while the control of MMC is complementary for current limiting. Based on the proposed strategy, fault severity phase planes (FSPPs) are constructed to assess fault severity and calculate the activation time of FCL and voltage regulation factor of MMC. Therefore, the FCL activation and MMC control are matched to the fault severity. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed strategy are validated by the simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC.

Abstract:In the voltage source converter based high-voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) grids, fast and reliable protections are the key technologies. The traditional protection schemes are easily affected by fault resistance, line distributed capacitance, etc. Meanwhile, the influence of fault current limiting strategy (FCLS) has not been fully considered. In this paper, the fault characteristics under FCLS and the feasibility of traditional travelling wave protections are analyzed. To improve the reliability and sensibility, a similarity comparison based pilot protection scheme is proposed, which focuses on the relationship between the fault characteristics and the state of the protected transmission line, with the establishment of a precise frequency-dependent transmission line model. The criteria based on the similarity comparison calculated by cross-wavelet can identify the fault effectively. Meanwhile, the protection scheme can also endure the influence of error synchronization. Finally, the protection performance is verified in the PSCAD/EMTDC under different fault conditions.