Search

An innovative scheme for the direct integration of wind turbines into the existing High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems without the need for boost power converters and step-up transformers is presented in this article. In this approach, specific voltage differences between two parallel lines of a double-circuit HVDC power transmission system are created. Such voltage difference vectors are controllable and have suitable magnitudes for integrating wind turbines into HVDC transmission lines.

This article presents an innovative secondary control approach for islanded microgrids established from a distributed event-triggered mechanism (DETM) under switching communication topologies. An enhanced DETM based on combined triggering conditions, including state- and time-dependent threshold terms, are developed to improve convergence speed and simultaneously reduce the number of triggering events. The parameters of the event-triggered function are derived through a comprehensive analytical Lyapunov stability theory. In addition, it is proved that no Zeno behavior via intermittent communication between neighbors occurs under cyberswitched networks and the proposed combined triggering conditions. Extensive simulations in MATLAB/Simulink are performed to confirm the performance of the proposed DETM. It is shown that the proposed strategy reduces the average communication burden by 78% compared with the former methods. Finally, hardware-in-the-loop experimental tests through real-time simulation feature of MATLAB by utilizing Raspberry Pi as an embedded hardware controller are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed DETM.

Future high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) networks based on voltage source converters (VSCs) will have different structures (asymmetric monopolar, bipolar, or symmetric monopolar), voltage levels, control, and protection schemes. Therefore, dc–dc converters are needed to interconnect those VSC-HVDC grids and several technical issues on their control and operational systems must be adequately addressed. A dc–dc converter based on a modular-dual active bridge (M-DAB) converter is suggested to reach a desirable interconnection of the HVDC grids and regulate power flow (PF) between them. A dynamic averaged model is proposed for the M-DAB converter and its stability is analyzed using the Lyapunov function. Moreover, a new local controller based on nonlinear control theory is proposed for the M-DAB. The new M-DAB local controller is integrated with the energy management system (EMS), by updating the PF equations, to create a complete control structure. Considering the CIGRE DCS3 HVDC test system and the studied M-DAB, static, dynamic simulation, and experimental studies are conducted and the dc–dc converter and the performance of the designed controllers and the EMS are examined and validated.

Rapid protection of modern electric networks using fault current limiters (FCLs) is often delayed and limited by the inherent controller, sensor, and power electronic unit delays. This article proposes a novel self-activated FCL (SAFCL), comprising a dc saturation winding, series ac limiter windings, and ac parallel reactor, which limits the fault current in less than 0.4 ms. Furthermore, the advantage of this SAFCL, when compared to a traditional saturated core FCL (SCFCL), is that it does not rely on any external controller, sensor, controllable solid-state switch, and battery. In the normal state, the SAFCL behaves like a saturated reactor with a very low impedance and in the fault state, cores are entered to the unsaturation region without relying on an external controller which imposes a high impedance to limit the fault, rapidly. The performance of the SAFCL is evaluated through off-line MATLAB and Maxwell ANSYS FEM simulations, and is also validated by experimental studies conducted on a scaled-down prototype.

•A comprehensive review of the studies regarding the stability and control of VSC-based HVDC/HVAC systems is carried out.•Addressed opportunities and challenges of integrating conventional and non-conventional energy sources into HVDC/HVAC grids.•Different aspects of the stability and control of VSC-based HVDC/HVAC systems are discussed.

A few multi-terminal direct current (MTDC) systems are in operation around the world today. However, MTDC grids overlaying their AC counterpart might a reality in a near future. The main drivers for constructing such direct current grids are the large-scale integration of remote renewable energy resources into the existing alternative current (AC) grids, and the promotion and development of international energy markets through the so-called supergrids. This paper presents the most critical challenges and prospects for such emerging MTDC grids, along with a foreseeable technology development roadmap, with a particular focus on crucial control and operational issues that are associated with MTDC systems and grids.

This paper proposes an efficient control framework that utilizes dc-dc converters to achieve flexible power flow control in multiterminal dc (MTDC) grids. The dc-dc converter employed in this paper is connected in cascade with the dc transmission line, and is therefore named cascaded power flow controller (CPFC). In this paper, a two-layer control strategy is developed for the operation and control of voltage source converter stations and CPFC station in MTDC grids. At the primary control layer, a novel differential voltage droop control is developed, while at the secondary control layer, a modified dc power flow algorithm—employing the new CPFC framework—is implemented. The overall control strategy enables the CPFC to regulate the power flow in the dc transmission line. The primary control guarantees the transient stability of the CPFC, and the secondary control system ensures the desired steady-state operation. The proposed voltage droop control framework helps the MTDC grid to remain stable in the event of a communication failure between the primary and secondary control layers. Static analysis and dynamic simulations are performed on the CIGRE B4 dc grid test system, in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control framework for power flow regulation in MTDC grids.

This paper proposes an effective dc voltage and power-sharing control structure for multiterminal dc (MTDC) grids based on an optimal power flow (OPF) procedure and voltage-droop control implemented in the different hierarchical layers. In the proposed approach, an OPF algorithm is executed at the secondary control level of the MTDC grid to find the optimal reference values for the dc voltages and active power of the voltage-regulating converters. Then, at the primary control level, the voltage-droop characteristics of the voltage-regulating converters are tuned based upon the OPF results. In this control structure, the optimally-tuned voltage-droop controllers lead to the optimal operation of the MTDC grid. In case of variation in load or generation of the grid, a new stable operating point is achieved based on the voltage-droop characteristics. Then by executing a new OPF, the voltage-droop characteristics are returned for optimal operation of the MTDC grid after the load or generation variations. This paper also considers the integration of frequency support loop in the proposed control framework in case of connection of weak ac grids. The simulations performed on a study case inspired by the CIGRE B4 dc grid test system demonstrate the efficient grid performance under the proposed control strategy.