Identification and Small-Signal Analysis of Interaction Modes in VSC MTDC Systems

Abstract

Email Print Request Permissions In this paper, a methodology is presented to identify and analyse interaction modes between converters in Voltage Source Converter Multi-Terminal High Voltage Direct Current (VSC MTDC) systems. The absence of a substantial level of energy stored in such power electronics based systems results in fast system dynamics, governed by electromagnetic phenomena. Moreover, interactions between converters are largely influenced by the control parameters and in general, an a-priori identification of interaction modes based on associated time constants is less straight-forward than in AC systems. Furthermore, the extent to which converters interact not only depends on the controller parameters, but is also influenced by the physical characteristics of the HVDC system. The methodology introduced in this paper is based on aggregated participation factors to distinguish between local modes, primarily associated with one terminal, and interaction modes involving multiple terminals. To illustrate the proposed methodology, the influence of droop control parameters, as well as DC breaker inductors, on the system dynamics and the participation of the terminals in system interactions are investigated for a three-terminal MTDC system.