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Novel flexible HVDC transmission converter station topology with DC fault blocking capability

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Abstract

The conventional half-bridge submodule (HBSM)-based multilevel modular converter (MMC) cannot block DC faults. To solve this problem, a novel flexible overhead-line high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission converter station topology is proposed in this study, which provides DC fault blocking capability. By adding blocking submodules (SMs) onto the positive and negative DC buses of a conventional HBSM converter station, a rapid fault current blocking can be achieved in the case of a DC bus short circuit. The DC fault blocking principle of the proposed topology and the rapid fault blocking capability of the blocking SM are analyzed. The quantity of required major components is also calculated. In addition, the IGBT, the system loss and the control complexity quantities are comprehensively compared with those of existing topologies. The validity of the proposed topology is demonstrated based on simulation and experimental studies.

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Acknowledgements

This research work was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA21050302), National Natural Science Foundation of China (51607171), and Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2017180).

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Correspondence to Guoen Cao.

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Huo, Q., Wang, P., Cao, G. et al. Novel flexible HVDC transmission converter station topology with DC fault blocking capability. J. Power Electron. 20, 884–893 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43236-020-00073-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43236-020-00073-z

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