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This paper proposes a ± 535 kV hybrid high voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breaker. In this paper, the interruption processes of the main branch, transferring branch, and MOV (metal oxide varistors) branch are studied by PSCAD/EMTDC computer simulation. Simulation results indicate that an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) in the main branch will withstand the highest electrical stress (3305 V/2200 A) and the IGBT in the transferring branch will withstand the highest voltage stress (3327 V). Finally, the ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker prototype is manufactured; the test is carried out. Test results suggest that the ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker prototype developed for the Zhangbei four‐terminal voltage source converter (VSC)‐HVDC project can interrupt a ± 25 kA (high current) within 2.84 ms. The simulation results agreed very well with the actual test results of our novel ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker. The novel ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker functioned exceptionally well in achieving fast short‐circuit current isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series multi‐break mechanical switch is one of the critical components of high‐voltage hybrid DC circuit breakers. However, due to the existence of distributed capacitance, the voltage distribution between the breaks is not balanced. This paper proposed a voltage sharing configuration method of the mechanical switch of hybrid DC circuit breaker, and carried out the static DC voltage and the transient voltage distribution characteristics tests to verify its effectiveness. Considering the influence of whole structure of the circuit breaker, this paper established the electrostatic field model and circuit simulation model of a typical ±535‐kV hybrid DC circuit breaker. And it analyzed the influence of single break's opening fault, breaking open distance, and the shielding fitting on the voltage distribution characteristics of series six break mechanical switch. According to the simulation results based on the Zhangbei voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current project type test parameters, the parameters design of the voltage sharing components of the mechanical switch are obtained, which can meet the voltage sharing coefficient requirement of 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A CAOC-MPHDCB is proposed by combining with the principle of controllable active oscillation and the MPHDCB based on negative voltage source, which can not only greatly cut down the total cost and operation loss, but also reduce the insulation requirement of commutation circuit. The CAOC only needs an energy storage capacitor to store several kV pre-charge voltage, and can generate a high voltage on a pulse capacitor after several oscillations. Like a NVS, the CAOC can generate a negative voltage on the transfer branch to accelerate the current commutating from the main branch into the transfer branch. In addition, the IGBT full-bridge in the CAOC only needs to withstand the pre-charge voltage with low amplitude at any time. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of CAOC-MPHDCB, and shows its great application prospect in the field of HVDC interruption. The hybrid high voltage DC circuit breaker (HDCB) is widely regarded as the most promising solution to the fault current interruption of VSC-based DC grids. However, because of a large number of power electronic modules connected in series in transfer branch, the cost of existing HDCBs are pretty high, which limiting their large-scale commercial application. In this paper, a novel multi-port hybrid high voltage DC circuit breaker commutated by controllable active oscillation circuit (CAOC-MPHDCB) is proposed. Based on the principle of controllable active oscillation, the proposed CAOC-MPHDCB can realize the reliable commutation and fast interruption of fault current while significantly reducing the total cost and operation loss. In addition, the CAOC-MPHDCB can not only isolate line faults that occur continuously in a short time, but also maintain system ring-network structure after isolating the faulty DC bus. The influencing mechanism of parameters on the performance of CAOC-MPHDCB are analysed in detail, and the selection methods of corresponding parameters are obtained. The simulation results show that the principle of CAOC-MPHDCB is effective and feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current evolution of Voltage Source Converters (VSC), Multi-Terminal High Voltage Direct Current (MTDC) grids are now becoming a real possibility. Still, some technical issues have to be addressed. The protection of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grids is the main technical challenge that is slowing down the development of MTDC grids. Hence, this paper focuses on protection systems. Thus, protection devices, fault-clearing strategies and protection system requirements are considered. The main topic of this paper is the review of different types of protection methods for MTDC systems that are shown in the literature. They can be classified depending on the use of local measurements or a communication channel in their operation. The protection systems reviewed in this paper include protection systems based on current measurements, voltage measurement, traveling wave analysis and artificial intelligence. A protection system can employ only one of these methods or a combination of them. Finally, the main characteristics of the reviewed protection algorithms are compared, highlighting the system configuration, the converter technology, the adopted fault-clearing strategy, the implemented circuit breakers and the size of the limiting inductors. From the work presented in this paper, it is concluded that the actual tendency in MTDC protection systems is predominantly full-selective fault-clearing strategies combined with hybrid HVDC circuit breakers in series with limiting inductors. In addition, most protection methods are based on current measurement algorithms and a considerably high number of the reviewed protection systems employ a combination of several methods benefiting from their combined characteristics. • Review of protection systems for multi-terminal HVDC grids. • Classification into local-measurement-based and communication-based methods. • Current-based methods are more usually employed than voltage-based methods. • Combination of half-bridge MMCs and hybrid circuit breakers is predominant. • The preferred system configuration varies between symmetric-monopole and bipole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]