Technical Assessment of Hybrid HVDC Circuit Breaker Components under M-HVDC Faults

Saqib Khalid,Nebras Sobahi,Ghulam Abbas,Mohsin Jamil,Ali Raza,Umar Alqasemi,Muhammad Zain Yousaf

doi:10.3390/en14238148

Abstract

One of the technical challenges that needs to be addressed for the future of the multi-terminal high voltage direct current (M-HVDC) grid is DC fault isolation. In this regard, HVDC circuit breakers (DCCBs), particularly hybrid circuit breakers (H-DCCBs), are paramount. The H-DCCB, proposed by the ABB, has the potential to ensure a reliable and safer grid operation, mainly due to its millisecond-level current interruption capability and lower on-state losses as compared to electromechanical and solid-state based DCCBs. This paper aims to study and evaluate the operational parameters, e.g., electrical, and thermal stresses on the IGBT valves and energy absorbed by the surge arrestors within H-DCCB during different DC fault scenarios. A comprehensive set of modeling requirements matching with operational conditions are developed. A meshed four-terminal HVDC test bench consisting of twelve H-DCCBs is designed in PSCAD/EMTDC to study the impacts of the M-HVDC grid on the operational parameters of H-DCCB. Thus, the system under study is tested for different current interruption scenarios under a (i) low impedance fault current and (ii) high impedance fault current. Both grid-level and self-level protection strategies are implemented for each type of DC fault.

Highlights

To study and evaluate the electrical and thermal stresses on the IGBT valves and energy absorbed by the surge arrestors within hybrid circuit breakers (H-DCCBs) during different DC fault current scenarios
Current limiting reactors are added in a series of H-DCCB to limit the DC fault current for effective H-DCCB
Once the ultra-fast mechanical actuator (UFA) has fully opened, the main breaker (MB) turns off, and the fault current is neuIn this paper, the impacts of the grid on the operational parameters of the tralized in the energy absorption branch by dissipating

Summary

Introduction

There has been an increased interest in developing a voltage source converter (VSC) based on multi-terminal high voltage direct current (M-HVDC) transmission grids. For this purpose, HVDC circuit breakers (DCCBs) are considered to be a vital component responsible for interrupting and isolating the DC fault current [1]. Owing to the low damping of the DC fault current in an HVDC grid, the initial rate of the rising fault current can reach the kA/ms range [2] This results in various electrical and thermal stresses to be developed on the DCCB components and branches. Thermal, and energy absorption stresses would highlight the states of DCCB’s components under different DC fault conditions

Objectives

Results

Conclusion