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EE0228

HVDC TRANSMISSION USING VOLTAGE SOURCE CONVERTERS

1

D RAVI SANKAR

V S S HANUMANTHA RAO K

Abstract:
Rapid developments in the field of power electronic devices with turn off capability like
insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) and gate turn off transistors (GTO), makes the voltage
source converters (VSC) getting more and more attractive for High voltage direct current
transmission (HVDC). This new innovative technology provides substantial technical and
economical advantages for direct applications compared to conventional HVDC transmission
systems based on thyristor technology. VSC Application for HVDC systems of high power rating
(up to 200MW) which are currently in discussion for several projects are mentioned. The underlying
technology of VSC based HVDC systems; its Characteristics and the working principle of VSC
based HVDC system is also presented. This paper concludes with a brief set of guidelines for
choosing VSC based HVDC systems in todays electricity system development.

Key words:
IGBT, GTO, VSC, High voltage DC transmission

Conclusion:
In this paper, we have presented the analysis of High voltage DC transmission using VSC,
the number of advantages associated with implementing VSC-based designs for HVDC
applications that result in systems with high reliability and superior operating performance; these
benefits including economic, environmental or technical aspects. Of particular note today is the
ability to control power flow and prevent propagation of severe disturbances, thus limiting blackout
extension. This ability to maintain in dependence of interconnected networks can be of prime
importance when the two systems have different regulatory procedures, notably if two counties,
and also technically if the load frequency control regimes are not compatible. Using HVDC Light,
which gives independent control of reactive power at both stations, in addition to active power flow
control, further enhances these properties.

___________________________________________________
1. III B.Tech EEE,
Avanthi Institute of Engg and Tech.
raviglorious@yahoo.co.in

2. III B.Tech EEE,

Avanthi Institute of Engg and Tech.
bhanu_explore@yahoo.co.in

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Introduction
The development of power semiconductors, especially IGBT's has led to the small power
HVDC transmission based on Voltage Source Converters (VSCs). The VSC based HVDC
installations has several advantages compared to conventional HVDC such as, independent
control of active and reactive power, dynamic voltage support at the converter bus for enhancing
stability possibility to feed to weak AC systems or even passive loads, reversal of power without
changing the polarity of dc voltage (advantageous in multi terminal dc systems) and no
requirement of fast communication between the two converter stations. Each converter station is
composed of a VSC. The amplitude and phase angle of the converter AC output voltage can be
controlled simultaneously to achieve rapid, independent control of active and reactive power in all
four quadrants. The control of both active and reactive power is bi-directional and continuous
across the operating range. For active power balance, one of the converters operates on dc
voltage control and other converter on active power control. When dc line power is zero, the two
converters can function as independent STATCOMs. Each VSC has a minimum of three
controllers for regulating active and reactive power outputs of individual VSC.

Voltage source converters for HVDC

The world of converters may be divided in to two groups that are to be distinguished by
their operational principle.
One group needs an AC system to operate and called as line commutated coverters.
Conventional HVDC systems employ line-commutated converters.
The second group of converters does not need an AC system to operate and is therefore
called as self commutated converters. Depending on the design of the DC circuits this group can
be further divided in to current source converters and voltage source converters. A current source
converter operates with a smooth DC current provided by a reactor, while a VSC operates with a
smooth DC voltage provided by storage capacitor. Among the self commutated converters it is
especially the VSC that has big history in the lower power range for industrial drive applications.

Diagrammatic Representation of VSC-HVDC

Basic working principle

The basic function of a VSC is to convert the DC voltage of the capacitor into AC voltages.
Fig 2 illustrates the basic operating principle. The polarity of the DC
voltage of the converter is defined by the polarity of the diode rectifier. The IGBT can be switched
on at any time by appropriate gate voltages. However if one IGBT of a branch is switched on, the
other IGBT must have been switched off before to prevent a short circuit of storage capacitor.
Reliable storage converter inter lock function will preclude unwanted switching IGBT. Alternating
switching the IGBTs of one phase module as shown successively connects the AC terminals of the
VSC to the positive tapping and negative tapping of the DC capacitor. This results in a stair
stepped AC voltage comprising two voltage levels +Vdc/2 and -Vdc/2. A VSC as shown is there
fore called a 2 level converter.

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The VSC based HVDC transmission

system mainly consists of two converter stations
connected by a dc cable. Usually the magnitude
of AC output voltage of converter is controlled by
Pulse width modulation (PWM) without
changing the magnitude of DC voltage.

Due to switching frequency, that is considerably higher than the AC system power
frequency the wave shape of the converter AC current will be controlled to vary sinusoidal. Special
Pulse Width Modulation achieves this. Besides the 2 level converters, so-called 3 level converters
have been used for high power applications.
A three level VSC provides significant better performance regarding the total
harmonic voltage distortion (THD). However, the more complex converter layout resulting in the
larger footprint and higher investment costs makes 2 level technology the preferred solution for
HVDC from todays point of view.

Pulse width modulation

A converter for interconnecting two electric networks to transmit electric power from one network to
the other, each network being coupled to a respective power generator station. The converter,
having an AC side and a DC side, includes a bridge of semiconductor switches with gate turn-off
capability coupled to a control system to produce a bridge voltage waveform having a fundamental
Fourier component at the frequency of the electric network coupled to the AC side of the converter.
The control system includes three inputs for receiving reference signals allowing to control the
frequency, the amplitude and the phase angle of the fundamental Fourier component with respect
to the alternating voltage of the network coupled to the AC side of the converter. Through
appropriate feedback loops, the converter may be used to maintain at a predetermined level the
power flowing there through or to keep at a preset value the voltage across the DC terminals of the
converter and, in both cases, to maintain the frequency synchronism between the fundamental

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Fourier component and the alternating voltage of the network coupled to the DC side of the
converter.

Characteristics of VSC-HVDC
The principal characteristic of VSC-HVDC transmission is its ability to independently
control the reactive and real power flow at each of the AC systems to which it is connected, at the
Point of Common Coupling (PCC). In contrast to line-commutated HVDC transmission, the polarity
of the DC link voltage remains the same with the DC current being reversed to change the direction
of power flow.

VSC-HVDC Transmission System Model

The 230 kV, 2000 MVA AC systems (AC system1 and AC system2 subsystems) are modeled by damped LR equivalents with an angle of 80 degrees at fundamental frequency (50 Hz) and at the third harmonic. The
VSC converters are three-level bridge blocks using close to ideal switching device model of IGBT/diodes. The
relative ease with which the IGBT can be controlled and its suitability for high-frequency switching has made
this device the better choice over GTO and thyristors. Open the Station 1 and Station 2 subsystems to see how
they are built.

Harmonics in voltage source converters (VSC)

Like all power electronic converters, VSCs generate harmonic voltages and currents in
the AC and DC systems connected. In a simplified manner, from the AC system, a VSC can be
considered a harmonic current source connected in parallel to the storage capacitor .This behavior
is just opposite to those of conventional line commutated converters.

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Harmonics generated depends on

the station topology (e.g. 6 pulse or 12 pulse)

switching frequency of IGBTS

pulse pattern applied

Using 12 pulse configuration instead of 6 pulse will improve harmonic conditions both on AC and
DC side. Characteristic AC side harmonics will have the ordinal numbers
Vac =12n+1; n=1, 2
Characteristic DC harmonics will have the ordinal numbers
Vdc=12n; n=1, 2..
All harmonics will be cancelled out under ideal conditions.
Due to its inherent harmonic elimination capability, the harmonic interface of VSC converter is
rather small in comparison to the conventional line commutated converters.However, harmonic
filters might be necessary on the AC and DC sides depending on the harmonic performance
requirements both for AC and DC sides, AC system harmonic impedance, DC line/cable
impedance and loss evaluation.
VSC HVDC has the following advantages

No need for short circuit power for commutation. Can even operate against black
Networks.

Can operate without communication between stations.

Can operate to control the power continuously in one direction.

No change of Voltage polarity when the power direction is changed. This makes easier to
make multi-terminal schemes.

Possibility to use robust and economically extruded cables for both land and sea.

Small converters that reduce the requirement for space.

VSC based HVDC does not add short circuit power, so there is a great freedom in choice
of topology and interconnection points.

A substantial reduction in system losses, mainly due to the elimination of the transformer
and related equipment. Losses could be reduced by up to 25%.

Other environmental benefit, e.g. the new motor is epoxy-free and therefore easy to
recycle.
APPLICATIONS OF HVDC TRANSMISSION USING VSC
HVDC Light is a recent technology that utilizes Voltage Source Converters (VSC) rather
than line commutated converters. HVDC Light offers advantages due to the possibility to
independently control both active and reactive power HVDC Light employs Insulated Gate Bipolar
transistors (IGBTs), plus other important technological developments:
High voltage valves with series-connected IGBTs
Compact, dry, high-voltage dc capacitors
High capacity control system
Solid dielectric DC cable
In the HVDC Light transmission schemes, the switching of the IGBT valves follows a pulse
width modulation (PWM) pattern. This switching control allows simultaneous adjustment of the
amplitude and phase angle of the converter AC output voltage with constant dc, PWM pattern and
the fundamental frequency voltage in a Voltage Source Converter. With these two independent
control variables, separate active and reactive power control loops can be used for regulation. With
these two independent control variables, separate active and reactive power control loops can be
used for regulation.

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Main differences between HVDC light and conventional

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