access icon openaccess Comprehensive understanding of DC pole-to-pole fault and its protection for modular multilevel converters

This is an open access article published by the IET and CEPRI under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
Received 29/05/2018, Accepted 17/07/2018, Revised 12/07/2018, Published 10/08/2018

A modular multilevel converter (MMC) is one of the promising voltage source converter topologies in the field of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. MMCs are vulnerable to the direct current (DC) short-circuit faults due to the high discharge current stress. This study first introduced the simplified equivalent circuits of MMCs under both normal and DC fault operation conditions. Then the MMC fault spread loops and fault energy distribution principles are presented. Moreover, a detailed comparative study of the existing DC fault handling schemes, which are classified as the rigid blocking and flexible blocking methods are carried out. It provides a technical reference for further study on the MMC DC fault protection schemes for the HVDC transmission system.

Inspec keywords: HVDC power transmission; power transmission faults; HVDC power convertors; power convertors; equivalent circuits; fault diagnosis; voltage control; power capacitors

Other keywords: flexible blocking methods; modular multilevel converter; simplified equivalent circuits; DC pole-to-pole fault; MMC DC fault protection schemes; direct current short-circuit faults; fault energy distribution principles; MMC fault; HVDC transmission system; comprehensive understanding; detailed comparative study; rigid blocking blocking methods; high discharge current stress; normal DC fault operation conditions; promising voltage source converter topologies; high-voltage direct current transmission; existing DC fault

Subjects: Control of electric power systems; Power convertors and power supplies to apparatus; d.c. transmission

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