Study of the HVDC dual transmission system under faults in the power converters

Abstract

HVDC transmission systems based on voltage source converters have lately emerged as a good alternative to conventional AC transmission. In these transmission systems multilevel converters have become a promising energy conversion technology. The reliability of the power converters are extremely important since a fault in these equipments may lead to an unavailability for a long period of the transmission system. Thus, this paper will focuses in HVDC dual transmission system under semiconductor failure conditions. As presented in this paper this structure presents interesting characteristics under the point of view the reliability considering a power semiconductor failure. It will present the consequences for the transmission system when there is a semiconductor fault. A study for the change of the modulation system in order to ensure DC link capacitors voltage balance under a fault condition is also presented. Simulation studies are shown in order to confirm the characteristics of the proposed methodology in normal and fault condition mode.