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

Lei Gao,Jun Xu,Huiyuan Zhang

doi:10.3389/fenrg.2021.760105

Lei Gao, Jun Xu + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.760105

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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.

Highlights

Voltage source converter-high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) systems are known to be superior to AC networks (AC distribution networks or AC transmission networks) and to line commutated converter-high voltage direct current (LCC-HVDC) systems in the integration of longdistance power transmission and renewable energy sources (Flourentzou et al, 2009; Lyu et al, 2019; Zhang et al, 2021)
Few studies have focused on the application of supply system (SPSS) to drive the power electronic switch of Fault current limiters (FCLs)
This paper presents three kinds of self-powered solid-state FCLs equipped with the SPSS

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Voltage source converter-high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) systems are known to be superior to AC networks (AC distribution networks or AC transmission networks) and to line commutated converter-high voltage direct current (LCC-HVDC) systems in the integration of longdistance power transmission and renewable energy sources (Flourentzou et al, 2009; Lyu et al, 2019; Zhang et al, 2021). The installation of FCLs can decrease the current breaking stress of DCCBs. the power supplies of FCLs have problems similar to those of DCCBs. the proposed SPSS methods in Lin Du et al (2010), Urciuoli and Veliadis (2011), Wu et al (2013), Miao et al (2015), Fu et al (2017), Zhang et al (2020) cannot be directly used to design SPSSs for FCLs. Few studies have focused on the application of SPSSs to drive the power electronic switch of FCLs. In Jalilian et al (2015), a novel DC-link fault current limiter (DLFCL)-based fault ride-through (FRT) scheme was proposed to improve the FRT capability in inverter-based distributed generation (IBDGs) units. The proposed self-powered FCLs take power from the DC fault line and supply energy to IGBT switches without extra power supply

Overview of FCLs

Configuration of SSFCLs With SPSSs

OPERATION ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED FCL WITH SPSS

SIMULATION VERIFICATIONS