Power losses in the grid are important, and as the power losses decrease the efficiency increases. Not much research has been done recently on the Newton-Raphson Power Flow (NRPF) method in polar form for systems with High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsystems. The point of departure for this thesis is based on decoupling the NR Power Flow method Power flow problems are solved for many fundamental problems in the operation and planning of the power system. Although many methods are available to solve these problems, this thesis focuses on developing an enhanced HVDC power flow method with improved computational efficiency and convergence stability. A comparison of the results with full Newton-Raphson Power Flow method is presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Simulations were conducted on the 14-bus and 30-bus IEEE systems. Two and three converters are shown to improve the voltage magnitude, active and reactive power profile .The overall results indicate which mode is the best mode compared to others depending on the bus importance.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of hybrid converter based arrangements for High Voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission systems. The conventional HVdc transmission systems, which use Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology, require ac voltage and large amounts of reactive power to operate; Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) based HVdc schemes, on the other hand, while maintaining most of the advantages of LCC-based systems, have overcome a number of disadvantages inherent to conventional LCC systems. Their ability to provide voltage support to very weak ac networks through generating reactive power, while delivering real power, makes them an ideal option for providing reliable power to remote locations. These converters suffer disadvantages such as higher costs, sensitivity to dc-side faults, and smaller ratings in comparison to conventional converters. This research exploits a new approach and introduces a hybrid configuration of VSC and LCC converters. The hybrid converter combines the advantages of these two converter types, while trying to stay far from their disadvantages. The thesis investigates and discusses the benefits of using VSC-LCC hybrid converters for HVdc transmission systems in stations where support of ac voltage is mostly absent (very weak ac system). It concludes that Series Hybrid Converter (SHC) configuration is a promising option for very weak ac system applications comparing to Parallel Hybrid Converter (PHC) option. Using simplified mathematical models and extensive effort on digital time simulation with PSCAD / EMTDC program, the technical feasibility of implementing SHC has been demonstrated.

L’objet de ce travail de thèse est l’étude du polyéthylène réticulé chimiquement (PRC) utilisé pour les câbles haute tension à courant continu (HTCC). Les propriétés électriques du PRC ont été largement étudiées en alternatif mais sont moins bien connues dans le cadre d’une contrainte continue. Une meilleure compréhension des propriétés diélectriques et de la durée de vie pourraient permettre aux fabricants et utilisateurs de proposer des tests de qualification et s’assurer du bon fonctionnement des systèmes de câble durant leur exploitation.Ces travaux présentent les câbles utilisés pour le transport HTCC ainsi que les contraintes physiques et chimiques endurées par le PRC en service. Le PRC est issu de la réaction de réticulation du polyéthylène basse densité (LDPE) amorcée par le peroxyde dicumylique. Il en résulte la présence de sous-produits, dont la majorité est évacuée par un traitement de dégazage du câble. Un additif antioxydant est par ailleurs ajouté à l’isolant du câble pour protéger le PRC durant la production puis l’exploitation du câble. Les contraintes appliquées au câble peuvent influencer les propriétés diélectriques. Notamment, la présence de charges électriques piégées (ou charges d’espace) peuvent influencer la durée de vie de l’isolant.Les propriétés d’injection/conduction, les mécanismes de pertes, la rigidité électrique, la charge d’espace et des propriétés chimiques de plaques circulaires de XLPE munies d’électrodes semiconductrices ont été étudiées. Sous l’effet des contraintes thermoélectriques, des charges électriques peuvent acquérir assez d’énergie pour être injectées dans l’isolant, selon différents mécanismes possibles, puis traverser l’isolant jusqu’à atteindre l’électrode opposée selon, là aussi, différents mécanismes. Selon le champ électrique appliqué, le mécanisme d’injection dominant est l’effet Schottky et le mécanisme de transport est le courant limité par charge d’espace (usuellement appelé SCLC). En ce qui concerne les mécanismes de pertes, à faible fréquence, le mécanisme de conduction quasi DC a été identifié à température ambiante tandis qu’à 70, 80 et 90°C, la conduction DC a été mise en évidence. De plus, les pertes augmentent lorsque la température d’étude augmente. La rigidité diélectrique a été déterminée à l’aide d’un panel d’échantillons. Sa valeur, déterminée par la loi de Weibull est de 375 kV/mm à température ambiante. La charge d’espace a été étudiée en utilisant la méthode de l’onde thermique (MOT). Ces analyses ont montré deux types de charges dominantes dans le matériau : homocharge et hétérocharge. La prédominance d’un type de charge par rapport à un autre est influencée par le champ électrique et la température. Le champ électrique total (addition du champ électrique dû à la charge d’espace et avec le champ électrique appliqué) atteint jusqu’à 100 kV/mm en appliquant 60 kV.mm. Les caractérisations chimiques ont montré une température de fusion de 103°C et une cristallinité de 39 %. Avant l’application de contraintes, l’index carbonyle, indiquant la présence de liaisons carbonyles est de 0,5.L’impact de contraintes thermoélectriques sur les propriétés diélectriques du PRC a été étudié à 70, 80 et 90°C sous 30 et 60 kV/mm. Des augmentations de la capacité et du facteur de pertes ont été observées et pourraient être assignées à la consommation presque totale de l’antioxydant à 90°C quelle que soit la contrainte électrique. La charge d’espace a elle aussi montré des évolutions significatives. Des différences ont été observées en fonction de la température, du champ électrique et du temps de vieillissement. Ces résultats ont été utilisés pour proposer une cinématique de vieillissement prenant en compte la charge d’espace et basé sur la consommation d’antioxydant menant à la croissance d’une couche de PRC oxydé contenant de nouvelles liaisons carbonyles comme le montre l’évolution de l’index de carbonyles. / The present work concerns the study of the cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) used for high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation. The electrical properties of XLPE have been widely studied under AC stress, however the behaviour of these materials under high DC stress is less known and needs thorough investigation. The insulation should be better understood in terms of dielectric behaviour and lifetime. A better knowledge of HVDC insulation could allow manufacturers, utilities and TSO’s to propose a relevant qualification processes and to ensure that cable systems will remain safe and operational during their entire lifetime.This work introduces HVDC cables and especially the physical and chemical stresses assumed by the cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation due to operational conditions. XLPE insulation is the result of the reticulation of low density polyethylene (LDPE), obtained with the decomposition of the cumyl peroxide. It causes the presence of byproducts in the insulation. The cables, degassed in order to extract these byproducts contains antioxidant agents, protecting the insulation during the production of HVDC cables and during the exploitation. The stresses can influence the insulation dielectric properties. As example, the presence of electric charges could influence the lifetime of the insulation.The injection/conduction, loss mechanisms, dielectric rigidity, space charge and chemical properties have been investigated at initial state. Under thermal and electric stresses, charges can reach the injection energy according with different mechanisms. Then, charges can be carrier to the opposite electrode with different mechanisms. Dominant mechanisms have been identified: Schottky injection and Space Charge Limited Current (SCLC) conduction, according with applied electric field. Concerning loss mechanisms, the low frequency mechanisms are nearly DC conduction at room temperature and DC conduction for higher temperatures. Moreover, the dielectric loss factor increases when temperature increases. The dielectric rigidity has been measured with Weibull’s law on a panel of 12 samples. The value of this property is 375 kV/mm, at room temperature. The space charges have been measured using the Thermal Step Method (TSM). These analyses show that two types of charge are present in the material (homocharge and heterocharge). This effect is influenced by temperature and electric field. The total electric field (addition of the applied electric field and electric field due to space charge) reaches until 100 kV/mm whereas 60 kV/mm is applied. Concerning the chemical properties of XLPE samples, the melting point has been measured at 103°C and the crystallinity is about 39 %. Before ageing stresses, the carbonyl index is worth 0.5 due to the slight presence of carbonyl bonds.The impact of a combined electric and thermal stress on dielectric properties is studied at 70, 80 and 90°C under 30 and 60 kV/mm. Increases of capacitance and loss factor possibly linked to the nearly total consumption of the antioxidant have been observed at 90°C for each electrical stress. Space charge analysis has shown significant variations. Differences have been observed as a function of ageing test temperature, applied electric field stress and ageing time. These results have been used to propose an ageing mechanism taking into account the development of space charges and based on the consumption of the antioxidant leading to the grow of an XLPE oxidised coat containing new carbonyl bonds as indicated by the carbonyl index after 857 days under stresses.

Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Mención Eléctrica / En la actualidad, la flexibilidad en la operación de sistemas eléctricos, que consiste en la habilidad del sistema de adaptarse dinámicamente a los cambios de condiciones, por ejemplo, balanceando generación y demanda por horas o minutos, o desplegando nueva generación o recursos de transmisión en periodos de años, siendo especialmente atendida en los sistemas actuales con altos niveles de penetración de generación variables como solar y eólica. La flexibilidad de Sistema Eléctricos de Potencia (SEP) mezcla la operación económica y operación técnica, lo cual se ha abordado en esta tesis como una problemática de un proceso maestro-esclavo, siendo la operación económica descrita como el problema maestro y la operación técnica como el problema esclavo. Este último problema se responsabiliza de la estabilidad del sistema y de manejar los recursos para superar cualquier contingencia. Los fenómenos dinámicos que se presentan en los SEP tienen diferente naturaleza así como elementos que los causan, sin embargo lo que los expertos concuerdan es que para que un sistema sea estable, éste debe tener la capacidad de operar en todo instante de tiempo dentro de sus parámetros de tensión, ángulos y frecuencia controlables independientemente de la configuraciones del sistema, contingencias y/o parque generación para abastecer una demanda dada. Los adelantos en los dispositivos IGBT (del inglés Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) que son componentes relevantes de la transmisión HVDC-VSC (del inglés High Voltage Direct Current Voltage Source Converter) han introducido importantes mejoras en la estabilidad de SEP comparación a los sistemas HVDC basado en tiristores. En este sentido, la posibilidad de aportar reactivos al sistema y alimentar a redes pasivas ha sido un gran avance principalmente en redes débiles y en islas eléctricas (como los Sistemas Medianos en Chile), son algunos de los ejemplos de estas perfecciones. El objetivo general de esta tesis corresponde a diagnosticar el aporte de los enlaces HVDC-VSC en la flexibilidad de los sistemas interconectados como en el caso de futuras uniones regionales. Para ello primero se analiza de qué manera se debe modelar el enlace para capturar el fenómeno que se requiere estudiar y su respuesta dentro de varios componentes eléctricos. En segundo lugar la definición de estabilidad en SEP y cómo interactúan cada uno de los componentes eléctricos. En tercer lugar las formas actuales de tipo de conexiones existentes y todas las ventajas/desventajas de tomar conexión sincrónica, o en base a solo enlaces HVDC o híbridas. Por último, se presenta la metodología de incorporación de los enlaces HVDC-VSC en SEP para estudios dinámicos/estáticos realizando las simplificaciones y/o mejoras tanto al detalle del modelamiento de sus componentes físicas como de su control. Con lo anterior, se implementan 3 SEP en los cuales se incorporan los enlaces, observando una mejor respuesta dinámica y estática al tener presente los enlaces HVDC-VSC, permitiendo identificar las mejoraras en la flexibilidad. Los sistemas implementados se basaron en desplegar mayores recursos de control para el caso de las simulaciones dinámicas, lo que lleva a un mejor comportamiento dinámico del sistema (mejor coeficiente de amortiguamiento) y en el caso de las simulaciones estáticas se logra re-direccionar flujos lo que entrega una flexibilidad de red de transmisión. Las simulaciones dinámicas demuestran que la incorporación de los enlaces aumenta el amortiguamiento de las oscilaciones electromecánicas incrementa la respuesta dinámica del sistema teniendo mayores recursos que aporte a la estabilidad del SEP, mientras que las simulaciones estáticas demostraron que la flexibilidad de red permite desplegar mayores recursos del sistema mejorando la utilización de sistema de transmisión y por consiguiente mejorar la seguridad del sistema para abastecer la demanda en cualquier línea temporal.

abstract: The growth of energy demands in recent years has been increasing faster than the expansion of transmission facility construction. This tendency cooperating with the continuous investing on the renewable energy resources drives the research, development, and construction of HVDC projects to create a more reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly power grid. Constructing the hybrid AC-HVDC grid is a significant move in the development of the HVDC techniques; the form of dc system is evolving from the point-to-point stand-alone dc links to the embedded HVDC system and the multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) system. The MTDC is a solution for the renewable energy interconnections, and the MTDC grids can improve the power system reliability, flexibility in economic dispatches, and converter/cable utilizing efficiencies. The dissertation reviews the HVDC technologies, discusses the stability issues regarding the ac and HVDC connections, proposes a novel power oscillation control strategy to improve system stability, and develops a nonlinear voltage droop control strategy for the MTDC grid. To verify the effectiveness the proposed power oscillation control strategy, a long distance paralleled AC-HVDC transmission test system is employed. Based on the PSCAD/EMTDC platform simulation results, the proposed power oscillation control strategy can improve the system dynamic performance and attenuate the power oscillations effectively. To validate the nonlinear voltage droop control strategy, three droop controls schemes are designed according to the proposed nonlinear voltage droop control design procedures. These control schemes are tested in a hybrid AC-MTDC system. The hybrid AC-MTDC system, which is first proposed in this dissertation, consists of two ac grids, two wind farms and a five-terminal HVDC grid connecting them. Simulation studies are performed in the PSCAD/EMTDC platform. According to the simulation results, all the three design schemes have their unique salient features. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2017

abstract: High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is being considered for several long distance point-to-point overhead transmission lines, because of their lower losses and higher transmission capability, when compared to AC systems. Insulators are used to support and isolate the conductors mechanically and electrically. Composite insulators are gaining popularity for both AC and DC lines, for the reasons of light weight and good performance under contaminated conditions. This research illustrates the electric potential and field computation on HVDC composite insulators by using the charge simulation method. The electric field is calculated under both dry and wet conditions. Under dry conditions, the field distributions along the insulators whose voltage levels range from 500 kV to 1200 kV are calculated and compared. The results indicate that the HVDC insulator produces higher electric field, when compared to AC insulator. Under wet conditions, a 500 kV insulator is modeled with discrete water droplets on the surface. In this case, the field distribution is affected by surface resistivity and separations between droplets. The corona effects on insulators are analyzed for both dry and wet conditions. Corona discharge is created, when electric field strength exceeds the threshold value. Corona and grading rings are placed near the end-fittings of the insulators to reduce occurrence of corona. The dimensions of these rings, specifically their radius, tube thickness and projection from end fittings are optimized. This will help the utilities design proper corona and grading rings to reduce the corona phenomena. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2013

With recent advances in power electronic technology, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system has become an alternative for transmitting power, especially over long distances. Multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) systems are proposed as HVDC systems with more than two terminals. In addition, the wind is becoming one of the most important sources of renewable energy in the world, with vast sources available in offshore areas. MTDC systems are attractive solutions for connecting offshore wind farms to AC grids.   This thesis discusses three scopes of MTDC systems: primary control, secondary control, and AC-DC transmission expansion planning.  In the primary control part, sliding mode control and multi-agent control are proposed. The sliding mode control can control the system fast and with very small overshoot and compared to proposed methods in the literature, it is less sensitive to changes in parameters. In the proposed multi-agent control strategy, we aim to find a solution for the problems caused by lack of global signal in the control of MTDC systems.   In the secondary control part, we propose a controller, based on multi-agent systems, which follows the variations of wind and minimize the DC transmission and conversion losses, while considering the price of energy in each AC system and the scheduled injected power to each AC grid. The controller operates in both centralized and distributed modes. In the expansion planning part, we aim to propose a methodology to determine the optimal configuration of the MTDC system. The goal is to maximize the transferred power from the wind farms to the onshore grids while minimizing the investment cost. We propose a two-stage mixed-integer second order cone program (MISOCP) for optimal expansion of both DC and AC networks. The two-stage MISOCP is solved using the parallelized Benders decomposition algorithm. / <p>QC 20170908</p>

En el Sistema Interconectado Central de Chile, los recursos energéticos de menor costo y cercanos a los centros de consumo están próximos a agotarse, razón que ha propiciado la búsqueda de nuevos recursos situados a grandes distancias de los principales centros de demanda. En este contexto, asoma como una solución técnica y económicamente factible el empleo de tecnología HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current), la cual puede transportar grandes niveles de potencia a través de distancias considerables, aportando además una respuesta rápida de control a fenómenos indeseados que se presenten en el extremo receptor AC, conservando así la operación segura y eficiente del sistema. Una de las aplicaciones adicionales de las interconexiones HVDC, es su capacidad de amortiguar los modos de oscilación de potencia interárea, los cuales constituyen el tipo de inestabilidad que produce una mayor amenaza para el sistema, debido a que presentan una baja frecuencia y un amortiguamiento pequeño. La presente memoria de título tiene por objetivo principal validar la técnica que emplea la modulación de potencia del enlace HVDC, a través de la inclusión de un bloque de control suplementario para mitigar los modos de oscilación interárea presentes. Para ello, se realizan dos casos de estudio, utilizando como herramienta el análisis modal y los diagramas de participaciones, empleando como plataforma de simulación el software DigSilent Power Factory en su versión 14.519. El primer caso de estudio corresponde a un caso ampliamente citado en la literatura especializada del tema, consistente en dos áreas, cada una conformada por dos máquinas, unidas por un enlace monopolar de 200 [MW] con una tensión nominal de 56 [kV]. Se desprende de los resultados que, luego de incorporar el control suplementario para modular la potencia por el enlace, se obtiene un modo de oscilación interárea, cuyo factor de amortiguamiento es finalmente de 5.1 %, lo cual está inserto dentro de los valores adecuados para la mitigación de este modo oscilatorio. El segundo caso de estudio realizado corresponde a un enlace HVDC monopolar de 1000 [MW] con una tensión nominal de 500 [kV], interconectado con un equivalente radial reducido del SIC, concentrando su carga en la barra central. Las simulaciones obtenidas para los distintos tipos de contingencias aplicadas muestran un correcto amortiguamiento de las oscilaciones de potencia activa que circula por las líneas. Del análisis se obtiene como resultado que la tasa incremental de amortiguamiento obtenida para el modo interárea es de ξ=14.1%, valor que se encuentra contenido dentro de los márgenes de estabilidad requeridos para este tipo de oscilación, según la Norma Técnica de Seguridad y Calidad de Servicios de Chile. Se concluye finalmente de las simulaciones y resultados obtenidos que la estrategia de control basada en la modulación de la potencia por el enlace HVDC cumple los requisitos exigidos, logrando amortiguar las oscilaciones electromecánicas interárea en un sistema AC.

No description available.

The development of voltage source converter (VSC) based high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission has progressed rapidly worldwide over the past few years. The UK transmission system is going through a radical change in the energy landscape which requires a number of VSC HVDC installations to connect large Round 3 windfarms and for interconnections to other countries. For bulk power long distance transmission, VSC HVDC technology offers flexibility and controllability in power flow, which can benefit and strengthen the conventional AC system. However, the associated uncertainties and potential problems need to be identified and addressed. To carry out this research, integrated mathematical dynamic AC/DC system models are developed in this thesis for small disturbance stability analysis. The fidelity of this research is further increased by developing a dynamic equivalent representative Great Britain (GB) like system, which is presented as a step-by-step procedure with the intention of providing a road map for turning a steady-state load flow model into a dynamic equivalent. This thesis aims at filling some of the gaps in research regarding the integration of VSC HVDC technology into conventional AC systems. The main outcome of this research is a systematic assessment of the effects of VSC controls on the stability of the connected AC system. The analysis is carried out for a number of aspects which mainly orbit around AC/DC system stability issues, as well as the control interactions between VSC HVDC and AC system components. The identified problems and interactions can mainly be summarized into three areas: (1) the effect of VSC HVDC controls on the AC system electromechanical oscillations, (2) the potential control interactions between VSC HVDC and flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) and (3) the active power support capability of VSC HVDC for improving AC system stability. The effect of VSC controls on the AC system dynamics is assessed with a parametric sensitivity analysis to highlight the trade-offs between candidate VSC HVDC outer control schemes. A combination of analysis techniques including relative gain array (RGA) and modal analysis, is then applied to give an assessment of the interactions – within the plant model and the outer controllers – between a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and a VSC HVDC link operating in the same AC system. Finally, a specific case study is used to analyse the capability of VSC HVDC for providing active power support to the connected AC system through a proposed frequency droop active power control strategy.