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The large‐scale integration of remote renewable energy resources into existing AC grids is one of the main drivers for the construction of multi‐terminal direct current (MTDC) systems. Today, a few MTDC systems are already in execution stage or even in operation. However, with a growing number of extended MTDC systems, the probability of high‐voltage DC (HVDC) insulation faults is likely to increase and therefore, reliable solutions for handling of such disturbances are crucial in order to maintain high availability. Since most HVDC converters are realised by modular multilevel converters (MMC) converters are based on half‐bridge (HB) modules, they lack an inherent capability to control DC fault currents. Therefore, additional equipment like HVDC breakers needs to be installed as well. Among the various breaker types, the so‐called 'hybrid' DC circuit breaker (DCCB) is considered most popular. This contribution provides a more holistic view on the overall system behaviour, represented AC grid, MMC HVDC converter, DC reactor and DCCB altogether. It discusses the physical interactions of these main components in MTDC systems. In particular, the influence of the electrical parameters of the hybrid DCCB and its required DC reactors on the MMC converter's internal current and voltage conditions is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a modified hybrid dc breaker and a half-bridge modular multilevel converter (MMC) are employed to interrupt the dc fault current in a high-voltage direct current transmission system. In the hybrid dc breaker, parallel to the main branch, a series connection of an energy-absorbing capacitor and a Thyristor stack is employed. When a dc fault current is recognized, the Thyristor stack is triggered and the load commutation switch in the main branch is turned off. In addition, in the fault clearing state, the MMC is programmed to generate zero voltages at all arms. Using this mechanism, a second-order RLC circuit with zero input is formed, and the fault current is cleared in a very short time. A freewheeling path is provided to bypass the dc line when the equivalent inductance seen from the dc line is large. In contrast to conventional approaches, the peak of dc fault current is limited to a specific limit and the necessity to ultrafast mechanical switches is avoided. In addition, the amplitude of arms currents and corresponding insulated-gate bipolar transistors are kept in the safe operating area. A detailed circuit analysis of the new method is given and design formulas are extracted. Simulation results are provided in PSCAD/EMTDC environment, and experimental results are presented for a scaled-down prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High di/dt during the close-open operation process of hybrid dc breaker will cause differential mode interference (DMI) in the energy supply system of the breaker's driver units due to their inductive coupling. The generated DMI may lead to false action of the breaker, which is an important issue that should be carefully considered in design stage. A method to analyze DMI based on time-domain wideband circuit simulations is proposed in this article. First, a time-domain waveform expression of DMI voltage source is derived, and then wideband equivalent circuit models of major components in the energy supply system are established. Furthermore, a standardized design methodology to reduce DMI is suggested. Applying the method to a high-frequency energy supply system of a ±200 kV hybrid dc breaker, simulation results show that the DMI level for two DMI mitigation measures is reduced by about 90% and 80% of the initial value, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different HVDC grid types and the respective protection options are discussed. An earthed bipole HVDC grid was modeled in PSCAD, and using simulation results, the necessity of di/dt limiting inductors to contain the rise of fault currents within the capacity of current hybrid dc breakers is demonstrated. The impact of different inductor sizes on current rise was studied. A fault detection and localization scheme using the rate of change of voltage measured at the line side of the di/dt limiting reactors is proposed. The protection system was modeled and tested under different fault types and locations. The results show that the proposed method of HVDC grid protection is feasible using the current hybrid dc breaker technology. A systematic procedure for setting the necessary protection threshold values is also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]