Ces travaux de thèse portent essentiellement sur la modélisation, l’analyse et la commande des convertisseurs de type MMC intégrés dans un contexte MTDC. Le premier objectif de ce travail est d’aboutir à un modèle dynamique du convertisseur MMC, exprimé dans le repère $dq$, permettant d’une part, de reproduire avec précision les interactions AC-DC, et d’exprimer, d’autre part, la dynamique interne du convertisseur qui peut interagir également avec le reste du système. Le modèle développé peut être linéarisé facilement dans le but de l’exploiter pour l’étude de stabilité en se basant sur les techniques pour les systèmes linéaires à temps invariant. Ensuite, selon le modèle développé dans le repère dq, différentes stratégies de contrôle sont proposées en fonction de systèmes de contrôle-commande existantes dans la littérature mis en places pour le convertisseur MMC. Étant donné que l’ordre du système est un paramètre important pour l'étude des réseaux MTDC en présence de plusieurs stations de conversion de type MMC, l’approche de réduction de modèles à émerger comme une solution pour faciliter l’étude. En conséquence, différents modèles à ordre réduit sont développés, et qui sont validés par la suite, par rapport au modèle détaillé, exprimé dans le repère dq. Finalement, les modèles MMC développés ainsi que les systèmes de commande qui y ont associés sont exploités, pour l’analyse de stabilité en petits signaux des réseaux MMC-MTDC. Dans ce sens, la stratégie de commande associée à chaque MMC est largement évaluée dans le but d’investiguer les problèmes majeurs qui peuvent surgir au sein d’une configuration MTDC multi-constructeurs / This thesis deals with the modeling and control of MMCs in the context of MTDC. The first objective is to obtain an MMC model in dq frame which can reproduce accurately the AC- and DC- interactions, while representing at the same time the internal dynamics which may interact with the rest of the system. This model is suitable to be linearized and to study its stability, among other linear techniques. Then, based on the developed dq model, different control strategies are developed based on the state-of-the-art on MMC controllers. Since the order of the system may be a limiting factor for studying MTDC grids with many MMCs, different reduced-order models are presented and compared with the detailed dq model. Finally, the developed MMC models with different controllers are used for the MTDC studies. The impact of the chosen controllers of each MMC is evaluated, highlighting the potential issues that may occur in multivendor schemes.

Transmission pricing and congestion management are two important aspects of modern power sectors working under a deregulated environment or moving towards a deregulated system (open access) from a regulated environment. The transformation of power sector for open access environment with the participation of private sector and potential power suppliers under the regime of trading electricity as a commodity is aimed at overcoming some of the limitations faced by the vertically integrated system. It is believed that this transformation will bring in new technologies, efficient and alternative sources of power which are greener, self sustainable and competitive. There is ever increasing demand for electrical power due to the changing life style of human beings fueled by modernization and growth. Augmentation of existing capacity, siting of new power plants, and a search for alternate viable sources of energy that have lesser impact on environment are being taken up. With the integration of power plants into the grid depending upon the type, loca- tion and technology used, the cost of energy production also differs. In interconnected networks, power can flow from one point to other point in infinite number of possible paths which is decided by the circuit parameters, operating conditions, topology of network and the connected loads. The transmission facility provided for power transfer has to recover the charges from the entities present in the network based on the extent of utilization. Since power transmission losses account for nearly 4 to 8% of the total generation, this has to be accounted for and shared properly among the entities depending upon the connected generation/load. In this context, this thesis aims to evaluate the shortcomings of existing tracing methods and proposes a tracing method based upon the actual operating conditions of the network taking into account the network parameters, voltage gradient among the connected buses and topology of the network as obtained by the online state estimator/load flow studies. The concept proposed is relatively simple and easy to implement in a given transactional period. The proposed method is compared against one of the existing tracing technique available in literature. Both active and reactive power tracing is handled at one go. The summation of partial contributions from all the sources in any given line of the system always matches with that of the respective base case ow. The AC power flow equations themselves are nonlinear in nature. Since the sum of respective partial flows in a given branch is always equal to the original ow, these are termed as virtual flows and the effect of nonlinearity is still unknown. The virtual flows in a given line are complex in nature and their complex sum is equal to the original complex power flows as in the base case. It is required to determine whether these are the true partial flows. To answer this, a DC equivalent of the original AC network is proposed and is called as the R - P equivalent model. This model consists of only the resistances as that of original network (the resistances of transformers and lines neglecting the series reactance and the shunt charging) only. The real power injections in a AC network i.e. sources into respective buses and loads (negative real power injections) are taken as injection measurements of this R P model and the bus voltages (purely real quantities) are estimated using the method of least squares. Complex quantities are absent in this model and only real terms which are either sums or differences are present. For this model, virtual flows are evaluated and it has been verified that the virtual real power contributions from sources are in near agreement with the original AC network. This implies that the virtual flows determined for the original network can be applied for day-to-day applications. An important feature of the virtual flows is that it is possible to identify counter ow components. Counter flow components are the transactions taking place in opposite direction to the net flow in that branch. If a particular source is produces counter flow in a given line, then it is in effect reducing congestion to that extent. This information is lacking in most of the existing techniques. Counter flows are useful in managing congestion. HVDC links are integrated with HVAC systems in order to transfer bulk power and for the additional advantages they offer. The incremental cost of a DC link is zero due to the closed loop control techniques implemented to maintain constant power transfer (excluding constant voltage or constant current control). Consequently, cost allocation to HVDC is still a problem. The proposed virtual power flow tracing method is extended to HVAC systems integrated with HVDC in order to determine the extent of utilization of a given link by the sources. Before evaluating the virtual contributions to the HVDC links, the steady state operating condition of the combined system is obtained by per-forming a sequential load flow. Congestion is one of the main aspects of a deregulated system, and is a result of several transactions taking place simultaneously through a given transmission facility. If congestion is managed by providing pricing signals for the transmission usage by the parties involved. It can also be due to the non-availability of transmission paths due to line outages as a result of contingencies. In such a case, generation active power redispatch is considered as a viable option in addition to other available controls such as phase shifters and UPFCs to streamline the transactions within the available corridors. The virtual power flow tracing technique proposed in the thesis is used as a guiding factor for managing congestions occurring due to transactions/contingencies to the possible extent. The utilization of a given line by the sources present in the network in terms of real power flow is thus obtained. These line utilization factors are called as T-coefficients and these are approximately constant for moderate increments in active power change from the sources. A simple fuzzy logic based decision system is proposed in order to obtain active power rescheduling from the sources for managing network congestions. In order to enhance the system stability after rescheduling, reactive power optimization has life systems to illustrate the proposed approaches. For secure operation of the network, the ideal proportion of active power schedule from the sources present in the network for a given load pattern is found from network [FLG] matrix. The elements of this matrix are used in the computation of static voltage stability index (L-index). This [FLG] matrix is obtained from the partitioned network YBUS matrix and gives the Relative Electrical Distance (RED) of each of the loads with respect to the sources present in the network. From this RED, the ideal proportion of real power to be drawn by a given load from different sources can be determined. This proportion of active power scheduling from sources is termed as Desired Proportion of Generation (DPG). If the generations are scheduled accordingly, the network operates with less angular separation among system buses (improved angular stability), improved voltage profiles and better voltage stability. Further, the partitioned K[GL] matrix reveals information about the relative proportion in which the loads should draw active power from the sources as per DPG which is irrespective of the present scheduling. Other partitioned [Y ′ GG] matrix is useful in finding the deviation of the present active power output from the sources with respect to the ideal schedule. Many regional power systems are interconnected to form large integrated grids for both technical and economic benefits. In such situations, Generation Expansion Planning (GEP) has to be undertaken along with augmentation of existing transmission facilities. Generation expansion at certain locations need new transmission networks which involves serious problems such as getting right-of-way and environmental clearance. An approach to find suitable generation expansion locations in different zones with least requirements of transmission network expansion has been attempted using the concept of RED. For the anticipated load growth, the capacity and siting generation facilities are identified on zonal basis. Using sample systems and real life systems, the validity of the proposed approach is demonstrated using performance criteria such as voltage stability, effect on line MVA loadings and real power losses.

This project is made for a deeper understanding ofhow frequency and amplitude of the waves that create the controlwave in a Pulse Width Modulated 2-level inverter affect the powerquality and power losses. The results were that a high frequencyreduces the Total Harmonic Distortion but increases the powerloss. The amplitude, however, reduces both the Total HarmonicDistortion and the power loss as it increases. All the analyseswere done in a simulation program called Simulink. The resultscan be applied when improving High Voltage Direct Currentinverters to develop a functional High Voltage Direct Currentgrid that enables wider use of renewable energy sources. / Projektet syftar till att få en djupare förståelse för hur frekvensen och amplituden på de vågor som skapar kontollvågen i en pulsbreddsmodulerad likspänningsomvandlare med två nivåer påverkar effektkvalitén och effektförlusterna. Resultatet av studien var att en hög frekvens minskar ”Total Harmonic Distortion” men ökar effektförlusterna. Amplituden å andra sidan reducerar både ”Total Harmonic Distortion” och effektförlusterna när den ökar. Alla analyserna är gjorda i simuleringsprogrammet Simulink. Resultaten kan appliceras när högspända likspänningsomvandlare vidareutvecklas för att skapa ett fungerande högspänt-likströms elnät som öppnar upp för en bredare användning av förnyelsebara energikällor. / Kandidatexjobb i elektroteknik 2020, KTH, Stockholm

Le transport d’énergie par des lignes HVDC constitue le principal réseau de transmission d’énergie électrique du futur. Les convertisseurs de puissance (par exemple de type MMC) qui constitueront ce réseau devront être capables de gérer des tensions de l’ordre de centaines de kilovolts ce qui rend critique l’alimentation des dispositifs de contrôle (gate-drive) de ces convertisseurs. Il est nécessaire de concevoir des solutions qui garantissent l’alimentation de ces gate-drives avec une isolation.Pour ce faire, un circuit basé sur le principe du flyback et utilisant un JFET normalement passant a été développé. Il est placé en parallèle d’un condensateur typiquement connecté aux bornes d’un bras d’onduleur. Il permet d’alimenter le dispositif de puissance dès qu’une faible tension est appliquée à son entrée. Cette fonction est assurée grâce au caractère normalement passant du JFET. Pour le prototype développé, la tension du bras est de 2 kV. La tension de sortie est régulée à 24 V. De nos jours, des JFET normalement passants avec une tenue en tension supérieure à 2 kV n’existent pas sur le marché. Donc, pour supporter les tensions mises en jeu dans le circuit, une mise en série de JFET SiC normalement passants commandés par un MOSFET Si a été réalisée (montage « super-cascode »). Le circuit développé est capable de fournir 20 W pour alimenter des gate-drives à des potentiels flottants. Le rendement obtenu est proche de 60 %. Aussi, le problème d’isolation est résolu par cette solution d’auto-alimentation. / HVDC power transmission is the future of the electrical energy transmission network. The power converters (e.g. MMC) used in this network will be able to cope with voltages of hundreds of kV, making the power supply of the gate-drive devices in these converters challenging. It is then necessary to design solutions that guarantee the power supply of these gate-drives, while providing high voltage isolation. To do this, a circuit, based on the flyback principle, was developed. It is placed in parallel with a capacitor typically connected to a half-bridge circuit. It has an auto-start feature. This allows to supply the gate-drive as soon as a low voltage is applied to the input of the self-supply system. This is obtained by taking advantage of the normally-ON character of the JFET. In our prototype, the input voltage is 2 kV. High voltage JFETs of 2 kV and higher breakdown voltages are not yet available on the market. So, to achieve this high voltage capacity, a series of Normally-ON SiC JFETs controlled by a low voltage Si MOSFET (Super-cascode circuit) is used in the circuit. The developed circuit is able to supply 20 W at different floating potentials with output voltage regulated at 24 V and an efficiency close to 60%. The isolation problem is then solved using this solution.

Cette thèse porte sur la commande de réseaux multi-terminaux à courant continu (MTDC) basés sur des convertisseurs multiniveaux modulaires (MMCs).Tout d’abord, notre attention se focalise sur l'énergie stockée en interne dans le MMC qui constitue un degré de liberté additionnel apporté par sa topologie complexe. Afin d’en tirer le meilleur parti, les limites de l’énergie interne sont formulées mathématiquement.Afin de maîtriser la dynamique de la tension DC, l’utilisation de ce nouveau degré de liberté s’avère d’une grande importance. Par conséquent, une nouvelle de stratégie de commande, nommée «Virtual Capacitor Control», est proposée. Cette nouvelle méthode de contrôle permet au MMC de se comporter comme s’il possédait un condensateur de taille réglable aux bornes, contribuant ainsi à l’atténuation des fluctuations de la tension DC.Enfin, la portée de l’étude est étendue au réseau MTDC. L'un des défis majeurs pour un tel système est de faire face à une perte soudaine d'une station de convertisseur qui peut entraîner une grande variation de la tension du système. A cet effet, la méthode de statisme de tension est la plus couramment utilisée. Cependant, l'analyse montre que l'action de contrôle souhaitée risque de ne pas être réalisée lorsque la marge disponible de réserve de puissance du convertisseur est insuffisante. Nous proposons donc une nouvelle structure de contrôle de la tension qui permet de fournir différentes actions en fonction du signe de l'écart de la tension suite à une perturbation, associée à un algorithme qui détermine les paramètres de statisme en tenant compte du point de fonctionnement et de la réserve disponible à chaque station. / The scope of this thesis includes control and management of the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)-based Multi-Terminal Direct Current (MTDC).At first, our focus is paid on the internally stored energy, which is the important additional degree of freedom brought by the complex topology of MMC. In order to draw out the utmost of this additional degree of freedom, an in-depth analysis of the limits of this internally stored energy is carried out, and they are mathematically formulated.Then, this degree of freedom of the MMC is used to provide a completely new solution to improve the DC voltage dynamics. A novel control strategy, named Virtual Capacitor Control, is proposed. Under this control, the MMC behaves as if there were a physical capacitor whose size is adjustable. Thus, it is possible to virtually increase the equivalent capacitance of the DC grid to mitigate the DC voltage fluctuations in MTDC systems.Finally, the scope is extended to MMC-based MTDC grid. One of the crucial challenges for such system is to cope with a sudden loss of a converter station which may lead to a great variation of the system voltage. The voltage droop method is commonly used for this purpose. The analysis shows that the desired control action may not be exerted when the available headroom of the converter stations are insufficient. We thus propose a novel voltage droop control structure which permits to provide different actions depending on the sign of DC voltage deviation caused by the disturbance of system voltage as well as an algorithm that determines the droop parameters taking into account the operating point and the available headroom of each station.