A Novel DC Fault Ride-Through Scheme for MTDC Networks Connecting Large-Scale Wind Parks

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel fault ride-through protection scheme for multiterminal dc (MTDC) networks connecting large-scale offshore wind parks. The proposed scheme introduces an MTDC network with a hybrid fault current limiter (FCL), which consists of a high-temperature superconducting FCL (HTS-FCL) and series braking resistor (SBR) integrated with low-loss mechanical dc circuit breaker (DCCB). The aim of HTS-FCL is to provide fast quenching, limit the dc fault current within the interrupting capacity of the DCCB, and reduce the dc fault current to certain levels such that converters can sustain prolonged periods of operation without blocking. Also, SBR allows automatic reclosing of DCCBs following a temporary fault, thereby enhancing the network security and reliability. Mechanical DCCBs with the proposed hybrid limiter are installed at the terminating points of each dc cable. The proposed protection scheme is based on differential current approaches with fault clearing time of few milliseconds, which gives enhanced network selectivity and reliability. A four-terminal meshed MTDC network with the proposed hybrid FCL is modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC. The obtained simulation results confirm successful dc fault isolation and network recovery for different dc fault scenarios.