Stability Of Modular Multilevel Converter Research Articles

Resonance stability analysis of MMC-based DC grid with coupled multiphase DC lines

The resonance stability of modular multilevel converter (MMC) based high-voltage direct current systems has been extensively researched using the impedance-based stability theory. However, when there are coupled multiphase DC lines (CMDCLs), the DC side stability issues would become more complicated and harder to be analyzed by many well-established stability criteria. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a resonance stability analysis method for MMC-based DC grid with CMDCLs, based on the nodal admittance matrix analysis. First, the DC side impedance models of MMCs with typical control modes are established using the harmonic state-space theory. The parameter matrices of CMDCLs are also introduced and their elements are transformed into the s-domain. Second, the nodal admittance matrix of the DC grid when there are CMDCLs is derived in detail. The resonance mode of the DC grid can then be obtained by solving zeros of the determinant of the s-domain nodal admittance matrix. Finally, the resonance stability characteristics of a bipolar four-terminal MMC-based DC grid are investigated. Simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC verify the effectiveness of the analysis results.

Detailed Wideband Impedance Modeling and Resonance Analysis of Grid-Connected Modular Multilevel Converter

Modular multilevel converter (MMC) tends to cause resonance instability in interconnected systems. Current studies on the stability of MMC mainly focus on high-voltage and large-capacity power systems, while the impedance modeling process of MMC ignores the harmonics of the submodule (SM) capacitor voltages and the influence of voltage feedforward control. The applicability of the MMC impedance model with fewer submodules is doubtful. According to the circuit structure and control mode, the AC-side sequence impedance model of the MMC is established, which takes into account the capacitor voltage balance control of submodules and voltage feedforward control. Based on the RT-Lab control hardware-in-loop (CHIL) test platform, the MMC impedance frequency scanning was carried out to verify the accuracy of the impedance modeling method. The influence of control parameters in different frequency bands on the impedance characteristics of MMC was studied. The AC terminal voltage feedforward causes phase lag in the mid-/high-frequency range and increases the risk of resonance. In the low-frequency range, the dynamics and control of capacitor voltages reduce the impedance magnitude of MMC. Using the resonance phenomenon of an MMC connected to a weak grid as an example, the high-frequency resonance mechanism caused by control parameters is analyzed from the perspective of the negative damping effect. The simulation results show that the detailed wideband impedance model can improve the accuracy of the stability analysis results.

High-frequency oscillation mechanism analysis of wind farm-side MMC station considering converter transformer stray capacitance

High-frequency oscillation is one of the critical issues threatening the stability of modular multilevel converter (MMC) based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system. A new 2 kHz high-frequency oscillation has occurred in the wind farm-side MMC station of Rudong wind farm integrated MMC-HVDC project of China during no-load charging process. The mechanism of this high-frequency oscillation is different to previous ones. Apart from the time delay of MMC, the stray capacitance of converter transformer makes a significant contribution to the high-frequency oscillation. This paper investigates the high-frequency oscillation mechanism of wind farm-side MMC station during no-load charging process. First, the harmonic state space (HSS) model of a wind farm-side MMC station is established. In addition to the leakage inductance, the stray capacitance is considered in the converter transformer model. To reveal the significance of the converter transformer stray capacitance in this new high-frequency oscillation, the root loci of the system are calculated with varying stray capacitance. Then, the state variables with high degree of participation in the high-frequency oscillation modes are determined by the participation factor analysis. A reduced-order model suitable for the high-frequency oscillation analysis is further established based on the participation factor analysis results. Next, the high-frequency oscillation mechanism is revealed by impedance analysis. Finally, the effects of system parameters are analyzed by the combination of eigenvalue analysis and impedance analysis. The analysis results are validated by electromagnetic transient simulations.

Impact of control system on the DC impedance characteristics of low-medium frequency bands and stability of modular multilevel converter based HVDC system

The resonance in modular multilevel converter based high voltage direct current (MMC-HVDC) system poses a potential threat to the safe and stable operation of the power grid. The mechanism of the resonance phenomenon is complicated, which is closely related to the impedance characteristics of MMC system. By establishing the DC impedance model of MMC-HVDC system at both ends, the influence of parameters of control system in converter stations on the DC impedance characteristics of MMC system was analyzed, revealing the main influencing frequency bands and effect of each control parameter. The DC impedance characteristics of low and medium frequency bands could be shaped in a targeted manner by adjusting the control parameters, the stability margin of the system will be improved as well. The correctness of the results was verified by time domain simulation. The analysis results of this article can provide reference for the selection of the parameters of control system and the improvement of stability margin of MMC-HVDC system.

Impedance Modeling and Stability Analysis of MMC Flexible DC System at the DC Side

Aiming at the stability of modular multi-level converter (MMC) on the dc side, this paper adopts harmonic linearization method to establish impedance model of MMC dc side. This method ignores the higher-order components of voltage and current, and considers the influence of the control loops to guarantee high accuracy at the same time. The high-frequency band of impedance presents inductive characteristics, and the mid- and the low-frequency band is related to the control loop. The parameters of the current loop have a greater influence on the impedance characteristics of the mid-frequency band while the voltage loop parameters have a greater influence on the low-frequency band. For the back-to-back transmission system based on MMC, the voltage at the dc side has obvious oscillation when the impedance mismatch or the stability margin is small. The risk of dc side voltage instability can be eliminated by optimizing the controller parameters and phase angle margin can be improved.

Impact of control system on small-signal stability of MMC-based MTDC transmission system

This paper studies influence of control system dynamics on the small-signal stability of modular multilevel converter (MMC) based multi-terminal DC (MTDC) transmission system. The small signal model is derived based on the state–space model of an MMC-based MTDC. Eigenvalue analysis and participation factor analysis are applied to study the inherent oscillatory modes of MMC-based MTDC transmission systems. The impacts of control system parameters on small-signal stability of the system are investigated through sensitivity analysis. The study shows that the control systems strongly affected the small signal stability of the MMC-based MTDC and the d-axis proportional gains in d–q decoupling main controllers have great impact on system stability, which needs to be properly selected for stability enhancement.

Small Signal Modeling and Stability Analysis of Modular Multilevel Converter Based on Harmonic State-Space Model

The stability of Modular multilevel converter (MMC) itself is the premise of analyzing the stability of MMC cascading with other cells, so this paper addressed the small-signal stability of MMC with dc voltage control mode which is the common operation mode of grid-side MMC in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. First, the small signal model of MMC with open-loop control mode and dc voltage control mode while considering the dc voltage controller and current controller are established with the harmonic state-space (HSS) modeling method. Subsequently, eigenvalues and participation factors are analyzed to estimate the stability of MMC system and the influence of controller parameters, especially the proportional coefficients of dual-loop controllers, which can improve the design efficiency of control system. Finally, time-domain simulations in MATLAB/Simulink are provided to verify the accuracy of HSS small signal model and the effectiveness of the theoretical stability analysis.

Power Decoupling Control for Modular Multilevel Converter

The existing power decoupling control method of modular multilevel converter (MMC) was developed from that of conventional two-level voltage source converters. Therefore, it cannot fully realize power decoupling due to neglecting the coupling effects from submodule capacitor voltage, dc current, circulating current as well as control strategies of circulating current, which inevitably results in inaccurate regulation of active and reactive power, deteriorated system dynamic performance, possible overload operation and eventually threatens the safety and stability of MMC. This paper analyzes the intercoupling among all electrical quantities and corresponding control strategies in MMC. An accurate control model of active and reactive power/current with four coupling paths and influence factors in the rotating frame is also established. A full power decoupling control method has been proposed based on the developed model. The proposed control method can realize accurate and completely decoupled active and reactive power regulation, avoid overload operation, and significantly improve the dynamic performance of MMC. Moreover, it facilitates the parameters selection of MMC controller with no extra cost, which is of great significance for practical projects. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed analysis and control methods were verified by both simulation and experimental results.