Assessment of the impact of MMC‐VSC intrinsic energy on power system stability. Issue 17 (15th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fradley, John; Preece, Robin; Barnes, Mike
• Is Part Of: Journal of engineering. Volume 2019:Issue 17(2019)
• Page Start: 4012
• Page End: 4016
• Publication Date: 2019-04-15
• Subjects: power convertors -- HVDC power transmission -- power system control -- power grids -- renewable energy sources -- power system stability -- synchronous generators -- HVDC power convertors -- damping -- wind power plants -- power transmission control; network support -- synchronous generation -- future power system operators -- ancillary services -- wind power plants -- voltage source converter‐based HVDC -- modular multilevel converter -- intrinsic electrostatic energy -- typical grid‐scale MMC VSC -- power oscillation damping -- supporting simulations -- network performance -- MMC possesses intrinsic energy -- negligible system benefits -- available intrinsic MMC energy -- further improve system stability -- MMC‐VSC intrinsic energy -- power system stability -- renewable energy sources -- high‐voltage direct current interconnectors -- dissimilar characteristics -- operating principles -- synchronous generators -- diminishing provision -- grid stabilisation -- conventional services; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1049/joe.2018.8078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-3305

Abstract

Abstract : Synchronous generation is being displaced by renewable energy sources and high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnectors. These factors will lead to a diminishing provision of ancillary services. Conventional services tendered to provide network support rely on the availability of synchronous generation and because of this, future power system operators will have to develop new ways to obtain the ancillary services required. A technology rapidly gaining in popularity is voltage source converter (VSC)‐based HVDC and further advances in the technology have led to the modular multilevel converter (MMC). Due to the design of an MMC there is intrinsic electrostatic energy that could potentially be utilised to provide ancillary services. This study determines the electrostatic energy available from a typical grid‐scale MMC VSC for network support during disturbances and for power oscillation damping. Supporting simulations are provided to ascertain the impact that this electrostatic energy could have on network performance if utilised. This study displays that although an MMC possesses intrinsic energy, utilising it for frequency response would provide negligible system benefits. However, for POD, the available intrinsic MMC energy did improve system stability which leads to the potential of using multiple MMCs to increase the energy and further improve system stability.