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Control and Protection of Wind Power Plants with VSC-HVDC Connection

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Control and Protection of Wind Power Plants
with VSC-HVDC Connection

By

Sanjay K Chaudhary

A dissertation submitted to
The Faculty of Engineering, Science, and Medicine, Aalborg University
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Energy Technology

Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
2011
Aalborg University,
Department of Energy Technology,
Pontoppidanstraede 101, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark.

Phone: +45 9940 9240

Fax: +45 9815 1411

Web: http://www.et.aau.dk

Copyright © Sanjay K Chaudhary, 2011

Printed in Denmark by UniPrint.

ISBN: 978-87-92846-02-0
 Abstract

Wind power plants are the fastest growing source of renewable energy. The
European Union expects to generate 230 GW wind power, in which the
offshore wind power is expected to contribute 40 GW. Offshore wind power
plants have better wind velocity profile leading to a higher energy yield.
Europe has a huge potential of offshore wind energy, which is a green and
sustainable resource. All these have led to the development of offshore wind
power plants.

However, overall cost of the offshore installation, operation, and

maintenance are higher than those of the onshore wind power plants. Therefore,
the plant size needs to be higher such that the unit cost of energy can be
lowered. An overall increase in operating efficiency would further reduce the
cost of energy, thereby increasing the viability of the project. Multi-MW
variable speed wind turbine generators, of unit sizes between 3-10 MW, have
been developed so as to take advantage of the lower cost per MW of installed
wind power capacity. The current trend is that these large units will comprise
of multi-pole, low-speed synchronous generators equipped with full scale
converters. VSC-HVDC cable transmission is a favourable option for a large
and remote offshore wind power plant, which needs a long distance cable
connection to the onshore power grid. It has lower power losses, higher
transmission efficiency, and fast control of both the active and the reactive
power.

This dissertation presents a test system for the simulation analysis of

different operational and control aspects of a potential wind power plant with
VSC-HVDC connection to the onshore grid. The test system is modelled in the
PSCAD/EMTDC environment for the time domain electromagnetic simulation.
In such a system, the offshore terminal of VSC-HVDC is controlled to
establish the reference voltage waveform in the offshore grid. The ac voltage
controller in the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal has been improved by utilizing
the measured active and reactive power-flows to determine the feed-forward
terms for the current references in the dq-axes.

i
 HVDC transmission decouples the offshore grid frequency from the
onshore grid frequency. Three different methods have been evaluated here for
relaying the onshore grid frequency to the offshore grid, such that the wind
power plant can participate in the grid frequency control. One of the schemes
does not involve communication, while the other two depend upon
communication of onshore frequency signal. Similarly, three different methods
have been evaluated and compared for the fault ride through behaviour of this
system.

The current control capability of the converters in the offshore wind power
plant grid can be utilized to enhance the fault time behaviour of the whole
system. A novel approach has been proposed to allow a calculated amount of
negative sequence current injection from the VSC-HVDC converters as well as
the full scale converters in the wind turbine generators. The proposed approach
is demonstrated to have lower power oscillations, and hence, lower dc voltage
overshoots in the VSC-HVDC system.

On the protection side, the coordination of over-current relays has been

analysed in the new environment. A simple yet reliable scheme utilizing the
well-known over-current relay characteristics has been presented for the
detection of faults and the determination of faulted feeder in the offshore grid.
It is demonstrated that the communication capability of modern relays can help
avoid the potential cases of over-reach.

The test system is modelled for real time simulation in RSCAD/RTDS

platform, such that the physical relays could be connected to it. The
performance of the proposed relay coordination scheme has been tested using
an industrial relay. Moreover, since RTDS simulation allows continuous
simulation of the system in real time, multiple events can be simulated.
Simulation studies have been carried out for the fault detection, circuit breaker
tripping, and system recovery after fault clearance.
 Acknowledgments

My deepest gratitude goes to my supervisors Prof. Remus Teodorescu and

Prof. Pedro Rodriguez for their valuable guidance, inspiration, support, and
continuous encouragement. I would like to thank Dr. Philip C. Kjæer, Peter W.
Christensen and K. H. Søbrink from Vestas A/S for their valuable discussions
and constructive feedbacks during different stages of my research. I would also
like to thank the Technical Reference Committee members, especially Dr. T.
Jonsson, Prof. W L. Kling and Prof. M. Aredes.

This research is a part of Vestas Power Program. I would acknowledge

Vestas Wind Systems A/S and Aalborg University for supporting my research.

I am grateful to Dr. A. M. Gole and Dr. U. Annakkage for the motivating

discussions during my stay at University of Manitoba. I am thankful to Udana
Gnanarathna, Dr. R. Gokaraju and Dr. Amit Jindal.

I would like to thank Dr. Dharshana Muthumuni, HVDC Research Center,

who introduced me the world of PSCAD/EMTDC. I am thankful to Mr. In
Kwon Park and Mr. Gregory Jackson from RTDS Technologies for teaching
me the fundamentals of real time simulation. Jonas Hansen, ABB Denmark,
was very helpful in setting up the relay interface with the RTDS systems.

I express my sincere gratitude to all the colleagues from the Vestas Power
Program and the Department of Energy Technology as a whole for their
friendship and support in various forms.

Lastly I would like to thank my parents, my sister, my wife, and my sons

for their support and encouragement.

Sanjay K Chaudhary
Aalborg, Denmark,
September 2011

iii
4

Contents

Abstract .............................................................................................................. i

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................ iii

Abbreviations .................................................................................................... 9

1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 11

1.1 Background ............................................................................................ 11

1.2 Wind Power Plants ................................................................................. 13
1.3 State-of-the-Art ...................................................................................... 13
1.4 Motivation and Objectives ..................................................................... 17
1.4.1 Simulation Tools and Techniques ................................................................................... 18
1.5 Limitations ............................................................................................. 18
1.6 Thesis Outline ........................................................................................ 19

2 Grid Connection of Wind Power ........................................................ 21

2.1 Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) ............................................................ 21

2.1.1 Wind Turbine Characteristics.......................................................................................... 21
2.1.2 Mechanical Control of Wind Turbines ............................................................................ 23
2.2 Wind Turbine Generators ....................................................................... 24
2.2.1 Type A: Fixed Speed....................................................................................................... 24
2.2.2 Type B: Limited Variable Speed ..................................................................................... 24
2.2.3 Type C: Variable Speed with Partial Scale Frequency Converter ................................... 25
2.2.4 Type D: Variable Speed with Full Scale Frequency Converter ....................................... 25
2.2.5 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG)...................................................... 25
2.3 Wind Turbine Generators with Full Scale Converters ........................... 26
2.3.1 Permanent Magnet Generator with Machine (Generator) Side Converter (PMSG-MSC)27
2.4 Grid Connection of Wind Power Plants ................................................. 27
2.4.1 VSC-based HVDC Transmission .................................................................................... 30
2.5 Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based HVDC ............................ 31
2.6 Summary ................................................................................................ 34

3 System Layout and Main Circuit Parameters ................................... 35

3.1 Main Circuit Components and Parameters ............................................. 35

 5

3.2 Onshore Grid .......................................................................................... 36

3.3 Converter Transformers ......................................................................... 36
3.4 Voltage Source Converters .................................................................... 36
3.5 Tuned Filters .......................................................................................... 37
3.6 Phase Reactors ....................................................................................... 40
3.7 DC Line Capacitors ................................................................................ 41
3.8 HVDC Cable .......................................................................................... 41
3.9 Wind Power Plant Layout ...................................................................... 41
3.10 Neutral Grounding ................................................................................. 43
3.11 Wind Turbine Generator with Full Scale Converter .............................. 44
3.12 Control of the Grid Side Converter of WTG-FSC ................................. 46
3.13 Separation of Positive and Negative Sequence Components ................. 47
3.14 Positive Sequence Phase Locked Loop (PLL) ....................................... 50
3.15 Control of VSC-HVDC system .............................................................. 51
3.15.1 Onshore Grid Converter ...................................................................................................51
3.15.2 Offshore Grid Converter ..................................................................................................53
3.16 Overall Control Structure ....................................................................... 55
3.17 Summary ................................................................................................ 57

4 Operation and Control of WPP with VSC-HVDC Connection ....... 59

4.1 Operational Modes ................................................................................. 59

4.1.1 Charging of VSC-HVDC Lines .......................................................................................59
4.1.2 Energizing the Offshore Grid ...........................................................................................60
4.1.3 Synchronization of the WTGs and Power Control ...........................................................61
4.1.4 Steady State Operation .....................................................................................................63
4.1.5 WPP Shut Down ..............................................................................................................64
4.2 Frequency Control through VSC-HVDC Transmission ........................ 64
4.2.1 German Grid Requirement on Frequency Regulation ......................................................64
4.2.2 Danish Grid Requirement on Frequency Regulation .......................................................65
4.2.3 Frequency Regulation through VSC-HVDC Transmission .............................................66
4.3 Fault Ride Through Using VSC-HVDC Transmission .......................... 70
4.3.1 E.ON Grid Code for Fault Ride Through .........................................................................71
4.3.2 Chopper Resistor for Fault Ride Through ........................................................................72
4.3.3 FRT Using Fast Communication .....................................................................................73
4.3.4 FRT Using Frequency Increase and Voltage Reduction ..................................................75
4.4 Discussion .............................................................................................. 76
4.5 Summary ................................................................................................ 77
6

5 Protection System for Offshore WPP Grid with VSC-HVDC

Connection....................................................................................................... 79

5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 79

5.2 Overcurrent Relay .................................................................................. 80
5.3 Approximate Calculation for the Fault Currents .................................... 82
5.4 Simulation Studies and Observations ..................................................... 85
5.4.1 Single Line to Ground Fault on a MV Feeder ................................................................. 85
5.4.2 Triple Line to Ground Fault on a MV Feeder ................................................................. 87
5.4.3 SLG and LLLG Faults on a HV Feeder .......................................................................... 89
5.4.4 Relay Tripping for Different Types of Faults.................................................................. 89
5.4.5 Over-reach of the HV Feeder Relay ................................................................................ 92
5.5 Discussion and Conclusions ................................................................... 93
5.6 Summary ................................................................................................ 94

6 Negative Sequence Current Controllers............................................. 95

6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 95

6.2 Negative Sequence Controller for the VSC-HVDC ............................... 96
6.3 Negative Sequence Controller for the WTG-GSC ................................. 99
6.4 Simulation Results................................................................................ 101
6.4.1 Single Line to Ground Fault at ‘FA’ ............................................................................. 102
6.4.2 LLG, LLLG and LL Faults at ‘FA’ ............................................................................... 108
6.4.3 Faults at FB ................................................................................................................... 110
6.5 Discussion ............................................................................................ 113
6.6 Summary .............................................................................................. 116

7 RTDS Simulation of the Relay Coordination in the Offshore Grid ....

.............................................................................................................. 117

7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 117

7.2 Experimental Set-up ............................................................................. 118
7.2.1 WTG with FSC Model .................................................................................................. 119
7.2.2 VSC HVDC Controllers................................................................................................ 119
7.2.3 Over-current Limit Control in VSC .............................................................................. 120
7.2.4 Over-current Protection Functions of the Relay ............................................................ 120
7.2.5 Over-current Relay Settings ......................................................................................... 121
7.3 GOOSE Communication Set-up .......................................................... 122
7.4 Simulation and Results ......................................................................... 122
7.4.1 Steady State RTDS Simulation: .................................................................................... 122
7.4.2 Comparison with PSCAD Simulation Results .............................................................. 124
 7

7.4.3 Single Line to Ground Fault on an MV Feeder ..............................................................126

7.4.4 Double Line to Ground (LLG) Fault on an MV Feeder .................................................130
7.4.5 Triple Line to Ground (LLLG) Fault on an MV Feeder.................................................132
7.4.6 SLG Fault on a HV Feeder ............................................................................................133
7.4.7 Overcurrent Relay Trip Times for the Different Faults ..................................................135
7.5 Summary .............................................................................................. 136

8 Conclusions and Future Work .......................................................... 137

8.1 Conclusions .......................................................................................... 137

8.2 Main Contributions .............................................................................. 138
8.3 Future Work ......................................................................................... 139
8.4 Author’s Publication List ..................................................................... 139
8.4.1 Paper Published..............................................................................................................139
8.4.2 Co-authored Pubilcations ...............................................................................................140
8.4.3 Poster Publication ..........................................................................................................141
8.4.4 Paper Submitted to Journals ...........................................................................................141

References ..................................................................................................... 143

Appendix A - Main Circuit Parameters ......................................................... 151

Appendix B - Phase Transformations and Sequence Components ............... 157

Appendix C - Design of a PI Controller for the VSC-HVDC Controllers .... 162

***
 9

Abbreviations

C2L Cascaded Two Level (converter)

CB Circuit Breaker
DFIG Doubly Fed Induction Generator
FRT Fault Ride Through
FSC Full Scale Converter
GCR Grid Code Requirements
GOOSE Generic Object Oriented Sub-station Event (IEC 61850)
GSE Generic Sub-station Event
GTNET Gigabit Transceiver Network Card (RTDS Hardware)
GTAO Gigabit Transceiver Analogue Output Card (RTDS Hardware)
HAWT Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine
HVAC High Voltage Alternating Current
HVDC High Voltage Direct Current
IED Intelligent Electronic Device
IGBT Insulated Gate Bipolar Junction Transistor
IGCT Insulated gate Commutated Thyristor
LVRT Low Voltage Fault Ride Through
MMC Modular Multilevel Converter
NSCC Negative Sequence Current Controller
PLL Phase Locked Loop
PMSM Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
PMSG Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator
PWM Pulse Width Modulation
RTDS® Real Time Digital Simulator
SOGI Second Order Generalized Integrator
VSC Voltage Source Converter
WECS Wind Energy Conversion System
WPP Wind Power Plant
WTG Wind Turbine Generator

***
 11

1 Introduction
1.1 Background

Wind energy is the fastest growing source of renewable energy—globally

the average annual growth rate of installed wind power capacity has been
around 30% in the last decade. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive aims
to produce 20% of the overall energy mix from renewable energy sources by
2020. In order to achieve this, EWEA has set a target to develop 230 GW of
wind power; out of with 40 GW will come from offshore wind power plants
[1]. In 2010, the global installed wind power capacity increased by 24.1% and
reached 197 GW, out of which 86 GW was in Europe. Though a vast majority
of these are onshore wind turbines, the offshore wind power plants are growing
at even faster rate. In 2010, 883 MW of offshore wind power was added,
bringing the total installed offshore wind power capacity to 2946 MW in
Europe [2].

Figure 1.1 shows the growth of both onshore and offshore wind power
plants from 1990 and it is projected till 2030. By 2030, the total installed wind
power capacity will be 400 GW, out of which 150 GW will be offshore wind
power installations. However, due to better capacity factor, the offshore wind
power will be contributing around approximately half of the total wind energy
production, as shown in Figure 1.2. By the year 2050, it is projected that there
will be 350 GW onshore and 250 GW offshore wind power installation.
Thereby, it will be able to meet 50% of the electricity demand in the European
Union [1].

The last decade has seen a tremendous development in electricity

generation from wind farms, also known as Wind Power Plants (WPP). In
Europe, development of several large off-shore wind power plants has been
proposed in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Such offshore wind farm sites
may be up to 100-200 km far from the shore line; so as to take advantage of a
better wind profile, and to avoid any clash of interest like shipping, fishery,
recreation, and visual distraction.
12

400
Total Installed Capacity (MW) Onshore Offshore
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Year
Figure 1.1 Total installed wind power capacity in the EU, projected till 2030 [1].

1200
Offshore Onshore
Energy Production (TWh)

1000

800

600

400

200

0
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Year
Figure 1.2. Wind power energy production in the EU, projected till 2030 [1].

Voltage source converter (VSC) based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) is the latest

transmission technology for connecting distant offshore WPP which need long
distance cable connection. Apart from providing an asynchronous link between
the offshore WPP grid and the onshore power system grid, VSC-HVDC offers
full and independent control of both the active power and the reactive power.
VSC-HVDC transmission is, thus, expected to enhance the integration of the
WPP in the power system grid. On the other hand, the Wind turbine generators,
themselves, are using power electronic converters, thereby increasing their own
controllability and flexibility.
 13

1.2 Wind Power Plants

Unlike conventional power plants, a WPP does not have a deterministic

and controllable prime mover. Wind is a stochastically varying and
uncontrollable source of power for the WPP. Power can be generated only
when sufficient wind is available. In absence of any energy storage system, the
generated energy has to be distributed and consumed at the same time. Another
disadvantage is that mechanical dimensions restrict the size of a wind turbine
generator (WTG) to a few MW capacities. Therefore, a large number of WTGs
have to be installed and interconnected to build a single offshore WPP. To
ensure smooth operation of power system when large amount of wind power is
connected, grid operators have imposed grid code requirements for the WPP to
comply with.

Power electronic converters are employed in the WTGs to provide them the
required flexibility and controllability; either by allowing them to align with
the grid frequency as is the case in doubly fed induction generators; or by
decoupling them from the grid frequency such as in the case of WTG’s with
full scale converters. On the transmission side, VSC-HVDC system provides an
asynchronous link with independently controllable active and reactive power.
Amid such a wide degree of controllability obtained from the power electronic
converters and the variable nature of WTG, their control and co-ordination for
efficient operation is very important.

1.3 State-of-the-Art

Wind power plants comprise of a large number of wind turbine generators

(WTG), each having a unit size of a few MW at the most. In the early 1990s,
the wind turbines mostly employed fixed speed squirrel cage induction
generators. These were followed by the induction generators with limited range
of speed control provided by the introduction of rotor resistance through slip
rings. Nowadays doubly fed induction generators are the most popular ones.
Recently permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) with full scale
converters are gaining popularity for large WTG units.

Grid connection of a large wind power plant is necessary for the

transmission and distribution of the generated electric energy. Bresesti et al. [3]
present a comparison of ac and dc transmission options for the grid connection
14

of offshore wind power plants. It is concluded that VSC-HVDC is the cheapest

option for the grid connection when the plant size is larger than 100 MW and
the distance is longer than 90 km. VSC-HVDC is the latest technology in
HVDC transmission. The first commercial VSC-HVDC transmission was
installed in Gotland, Sweden in the year 1997. Since then ABB has installed
around 12 VSC-HVDC transmission systems. Most of them are for
interconnecting weak grids. A couple of them provide electrical power
transmission to offshore oil rig platforms in Norway. BorWin-I is the first
VSC-HVDC transmission used for the grid connection of a large offshore
WPP. It connects the 400 MW BorWin-1 wind farms in the North Sea to the
onshore substation in Germany [4], [5].

VSC-HVDC systems use fully controllable switches like IGBT and IGCT.
Their turning ‘ON’ and turning ‘OFF’ is controlled by the applied gate pulse.
These switches are usually assembled in a 3-phase, 2-level or 3-level converter
configuration. In VSC based HVDC, the IGBT switches are switched ‘ON’ and
‘OFF’ usually at a switching frequency of 1 to 2 kHz. The HVDC side voltage
is maintained higher than the grid side peak voltages. Hence, the VSC can
produce the desired voltage waveform at fundamental frequency. The output
voltage contains high frequency components, which can be filtered away using
passive filters. VSC can be controlled to produce the terminal voltage of
required magnitude and phase angle such that the desired current can flow
through the phase reactors at its terminals. This ability of the VSC to drive the
desired current waveform in the grid at power frequency enables fast control
and four-quadrant operation on the active-reactive power (PQ) plane [6].

Harnefors describes the control loops for the VSC HVDC transmission
connecting two areas in the power grid in [7]. One terminal regulates the dc
voltage and the reactive power exchange with the grid at one end, while the
other regulates the active and reactive power exchanges at the other end. In [8],
Iov et al present the control structure of the VSC-HVDC for the grid
connection of wind farms with active stall induction generators. The wind farm
side converter controls the wind farm grid voltage and frequency so as to
enable variable frequency operation of the wind farm while maintaining the
volts per Hertz ratio. The grid side VSC controls the dc line voltage and the
reactive power flow to the grid. Direct control of the wind farm side voltage
and its frequency without any inner current control loop is presented in [9]. In
ref [10], an inner current control loop of the VSC controller is used to control
 15

the ac terminal voltage in the offshore grid. This controller is suitable for wind
power plant applications. Variable frequency control is described so as to take
advantage of the improved efficiency of the WPP. In all these studies, DFIG
based wind turbines have been considered.

With the emergence of large wind power plants, the grid operators are
concerned about their impact upon the power system. Therefore, the grid
operators have come up with the Grid Code Requirements (GCR) to be
complied with before the wind power plants can be connected to the grid. The
GCR specifies the operational conditions of voltage, frequency, and power
factor. In the beginning, the wind power penetration in the power system was
small, and they could disconnect during the grid disturbances. However, with
increasing penetration of the wind power in the power system and decreasing
proportion of the conventional synchronous generators, the grid operators
demand that the large wind power plants remain connected to the gird and
assist in its recovery. For instance, the German grid code [11] requires that the
WPP remain connected and supply the reactive current to the grid during low
voltage faults in the power system grid. It also specifies the power ramping rate
during the system recovery after the fault has been cleared. Although it asks for
±2% reserve to be made available within 30 seconds for ±200 mHz change in
frequency, the offshore grid code [12] over-rides this requirement by asking for
only downward regulation. In the Danish grid code [13], both options have
been specified.

Low voltage ride through (LVRT) capability is another challenging

requirement for the WPP. Reference [14] describes the different techniques
available for fast power reduction of the wind power plant or dissipating the
excess power in braking resistors. Feltes et al. [15] describe the different ways
of achieving the LVRT capability and proposes the demagnetization of the
doubly fed induction generator such that the WPP grid voltage can be
suppressed rapidly. Thus, fast voltage reduction can be achieved without
producing the typical short circuit currents; and the related electro- mechanical
stresses can be avoided.

Muyeen et al. [16] have described the use of energy capacitor system
(ECS) composed of power electronic devices and electric double layer
capacitor (EDLC) to enhance the LVRT capability of fixed speed wind turbine
generator system during network disturbances. Use of ECS using EDLC to
16

enhance the transient stability of multi-machine power system including WPPs

is presented in [17].

In power systems, the synchronous machines provide the inertial response

to sudden variations in frequency due to instantaneous load-generation
unbalance. The wind turbine generators with their power electronic converter
interface do not automatically respond to grid frequency variations. Therefore,
there is a genuine concern that increasing penetration of wind energy in the
power system will lead to reduction of inertia. Hence emulation of inertia or
virtual inertia is expected from the wind turbine generators. Spanish Grid code
has indicated the requirement of inertial response to grid frequency
disturbances as a future perspective [18].

Reference [19] describes that the kinetic energy can be extracted from the
WTGs using power electronic converter controls to supply the active power
proportional to the frequency deviation, and thus inertia can be emulated. In
[20], Ullah et al. describes that a wind farm can provide a short-term active
power support utilizing the rotational energy of the turbine blades which is
particularly beneficial in a hydro-dominated power system grid. The
contribution from the wind turbines gives extra time for the hydro generators to
ramp up their generation. Reference [21] presents the primary frequency
regulation capability by maintaining the reserve power generation capability
through their de-loaded operation by pitch angle control of wind turbines.

Jensen and Fuchs [22] describe the methods of allocation the generation
reserve as well as the different ways to relay the grid frequency to the offshore
wind-farm when there is an asynchronous VSC-HVDC connection between
them.

Recently, Marquardt has invented the multi-level modular converters [23].

The cascaded two level converters (C2L) from the ABB, multi-level modular
converters (MMC) from Siemens, and the hybrid chain link converters from
Alstom are the examples of the new converter topologies for application in the
VSC-HVDC transmission [24]–[26]. These new topologies of VSC-HVDC
claim superior performance in terms of reduced power losses and lower
harmonic content.
 17

1.4 Motivation and Objectives

Technical literature and statistics of the wind power growth shows the
enthusiasm in the development and grid connection of wind power plants.
However, there are very little publications in the field of the faults and
transients in the offshore grid, which does not have any directly connected
synchronous machinery. There are converters at all the terminals. Their control
and the network topology will determine the response to faults. There is a need
for investigating the system response to the faults in the offshore grid. This
project intends to investigate such faults in the offshore wind power plants
connected by VSC-HVDC.

The main objective is to demonstrate control and operation of wind power

plant (WPP) with voltage source converter based high voltage DC (HVDC)
transmission showing robustness against offshore grid faults using the co-
ordinated control of power converters in the wind turbine generators and the
HVDC.

The hypotheses are listed below:

 Large wind turbine generators will be equipped with full scale

converters to comply with the grid code requirements. Offshore
wind power plants far off from the shore may require long
submarine cable transmission. When VSC-HVDC transmission is
used for the grid connection, the offshore grid may have power
electronic converters at all the terminals.
 The output current of the power electronic converters can be
controlled. In the event of faults, the fault current can be controlled
within safe limits by the current limit control acting in the
converters. This will reduce the stresses on the converters as well
as other offshore grid components.
 As an extension of the previous point, negative sequence currents
may be injected by the power electronic converters. Controllers
can, therefore, be designed to control the negative sequence
currents during asymmetric faults in the offshore grid, and thus
minimize the power oscillations.
18

 Since a persistent fault in the offshore grid is detrimental to the

operation of the whole WPP, a protection scheme would be
necessary for its detection and isolation. Further since there are
converters at all the terminals, and the offshore grid has mostly
radial topology, use of the over-current relays might be possible.

1.4.1 Simulation Tools and Techniques

PSCAD/EMTDC software developed by the HVDC Research Centre,

Canada, has been used for the modelling and simulation of the test system. It is
a powerful simulation tool for the detailed modelling and time domain
simulation of electromagnetic transients in power system. Apart from the
standardized models for most of the power system components and control
blocks, it allows the users to define the new models of the controllers and
components. The controllers for the VSC-HVDC and the wind turbine
generators are not available as standard modules, and they have been modelled
here so that their detailed control structures could be simulated.

Real Time Digital Simulation (RTDS) has been used as it facilitates the
hardware in loop simulation. An industrial overcurrent feeder protection relay,
REF615 from ABB, was interfaced with the real time simulation model of the
test system. Thus, the relay coordination was experimentally verified as a part
of validation exercise.

MATLAB/Simulink has been used for other numerical calculations and

frequency domain analysis of the controller and filters.

1.5 Limitations

Two-level converters have been simulated and studied. Recent

development of multi-level converters has rendered the two-level converters an
obsolete technology for future VSC-HVDC transmission projects. However, it
is expected that the concepts and theories developed in this thesis regarding the
offshore wind power plants and its grid connection using VSC-HVDC
transmission would give useful insights in the understanding and investigation
of the new systems.
 19

Only ac collector grid layout has been considered here for the wind power
plant. The turbine generators are assumed to be permanent magnet synchronous
generators equipped with full scale converters. Moreover, a simplified model
has been used for the wind turbine generator and its full scale converter instead
of the detailed model. The turbine, generator, and the generator side converter
are collectively modelled as a power source with a first order transfer function.
The focus here is on the operational behaviour of the grid side converter of the
WTG-FSC, the collector grid network and the VSC-HVDC transmission to the
grid.

The onshore grid has been modelled here as Thévenin’s equivalent voltage
source.

WPP and VSC-HVDC have been considered here as a single system. This
implies that the VSC-HVDC control is used to facilitate the grid integration of
the wind power plant. The onshore grid terminal is assumed to be the point of
common coupling where the grid code requirements have to be fulfilled. These
assumptions are justified when the WPP and VSC-HVDC are owned and
operated by a single entity. When the transmission is provided by the grid
operator, the grid operator may impose the grid code requirements to be
fulfilled at the offshore terminal as envisaged in [12], or they may continue to
operate in tandem to optimize the overall system.

1.6 Thesis Outline

The organization of the thesis is as follows:

Chapter 2 gives a brief introduction of wind turbine generators and the grid
connection of wind power plants using VSC-HVDC.

Chapter 3 describes the layout and modelling of the test system being
studied. Main circuit parameters for the system components have been derived
and discussed. A collector grid layout and the aggregation of wind turbines
have been described here. An improved controller for the offshore VSC-HVDC
terminal is presented for the wind power applications followed by the overall
control structure of the system.
20

The operation and control of the complete integrated system is described in

Chapter 4. Some operational aspects, like the grid frequency control through
VSC-HVDC, and the low voltage fault ride through in the event of onshore
grid faults, have been described and demonstrated.

Chapter 5 proposes a simplified algorithm for the estimation of fault

currents using the scalar current source models of the WTG converters.
Transient simulation of faults in the offshore grid using detailed models of the
WTG controls and VSC-HVDC is described and the results are compared. The
results are used for the coordination of the over-current relays in the offshore
grid. The work is later extended in Chapter 7.

Chapter 6 proposes a negative sequence current control algorithm for the

control of dc power oscillations, and therefore, the dc voltage oscillation in the
VSC-HVDC system. The controller performance is tested using transient
simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC.

Chapter 7 describes the hardware in loop simulation of the test system with
an industrial over-current relay. Different fault cases have been simulated. The
performance of the relay coordination in terms of the detection of fault events
and subsequent tripping has been presented. It corroborates the observation for
the relay coordination settings.

Finally, chapter 8 summarizes the conclusions of this project and lists some
of the areas for future research.
 21

2 Grid Connection of Wind Power

Moving mass of wind possesses kinetic energy. For a long time wind mills
and sails have been used for harnessing the wind energy. Nevertheless,
conversion to electrical energy is a recent development of the twentieth
century. Depleting fossil fuel reserves and the focus on sustainable
development through the use of renewable energy sources have been the key
motivators for the rapid development of wind energy conversion systems
(WECS) in the last couple of decades. Large wind turbine generators of the
order of 2–6 MW have been developed and the units of 10 MW sizes are under
development [27].

Tens or hundreds of wind turbine generator units are installed and

connected together through a network of medium voltage cable systems
forming the collector system network, thereby forming a large wind farm. A
growing penetration of wind energy into power system demands that the wind
farms behave more like a power plant, and they comply with the rules of grid
connection, or the grid code requirement (GCR). Hence, these days the wind
farms are referred to as wind power plants (WPP).

This chapter presents an introduction of WECS, collector system and the

grid connection of WPP.

2.1 Wind Turbine Generator (WTG)

A wind turbine generator comprises of a wind turbine for harnessing the

kinetic energy of the wind into the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft
which drives the generator. The three-blade, upwind horizontal axis wind
turbine (HAWT) is the most popular turbine. It has three air-foils or blades
connected to a central hub assembly mounted on the top of a high tower. The
drive train, generator and the transformers are usually housed in the nacelle on
the tower. A gear box assembly may be used to rotate the generator at a
sufficiently high speed for electrical power generation.

2.1.1 Wind Turbine Characteristics

The kinetic energy possessed in wind is given by

22

(2.1)

where, is the density of air ( ), V is the volume of air considered and

is the velocity of wind ( ).

The volume of wind passing through area swept by the turbine blades in
a second is, . Therefore, the total mechanical power is,
(2.2)

It is impossible to extract all the kinetic energy from the wind. The fraction
of power harnessed by the wind turbine is given by its coefficient of
performance, Cp.

(2.3)

According to Betz, the theoretical upper limit of is .

Modern 3-blade wind turbines have an optimal in the range of 0.52 to 0.55
when the power is measured at the rotor hub. After deducting the losses in the
drive train and the generator, the optimal value of lies in the range of 0.46
to 0.48 [28]. The value of depends upon the tip speed ratio, and the pitch
angle of the blade, and the turbine characteristics. Tip speed ratio is defined
as the ratio of rotor blade tip speed and the wind velocity.

( ) (2.4)

For a given turbine design, the measured data for ( ) can be

approximated by a non-linear function of the type [29],

(2.5)
( ) ( ) ,

where, ( )
 23

Slootweg et al. have presented a table of coefficients for the commercial

constant speed and variable speed wind turbines in [29]. The turbine
characteristic for the performance coefficient ( ), given in [30], is a
special case of (2.5),

( ) ( )
(2.6)
where, .

Figure 2.1 gives a plot of - characteristics using (2.6) with parameters

as given in (2.6).

1 de g
0.5
Performance Coefficient (C )
p

0.4
5 de g 2 de g

0.3

1 0 de g
0.2

1 5 de g
0.1
2 5 de g

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Tipspeed ratio ()

Figure 2.1. - characteristics of a typical wind turbine.

2.1.2 Mechanical Control of Wind Turbines

Equations (2.2)–(2.7) reveal that the power absorbed by the wind turbines
depends upon the operational speed of the turbine and the blade pitch angle. In
a variable speed wind turbine, the turbine speed can be controlled to achieve an
optimal tip speed ratio ( ), and therefore maximum efficiency can be achieved
over a range of wind speed. When the wind speed varies, the turbine rotor and
generator speed vary, while the torque remains fairly constant. Thus, the
24

mechanical stress is reduced. Maximum power point tracking over a wide

speed range enables increased energy capture, improved power quality, and
reduced mechanical stress on the wind turbine. Apart from this, the turbine
speed should be limited within safe design limits in presence of strong wind
conditions. Stall control has been used for fixed speed wind turbines. Fast pitch
control mechanism is used to regulate the power in variable speed wind
turbines [28]. The blades can be turned out or into the wind as the power output
varies. Such a fast control provides good power control, assisted start-up and
emergency stop.

2.2 Wind Turbine Generators

Wind turbine generators can be grouped into four categories [28]:

 Type A: Fixed speed

 Type B: Limited variable speed
 Type C: Variable speed with partial scale frequency converter.
 Type D: Variable speed with full scale frequency converter.

2.2.1 Type A: Fixed Speed

Fixed speed wind turbines comprise of squirrel cage induction generator

(SCIG) or wound rotor induction generator directly connected to the grid
through a step-up transformer. Usually, a soft-starter is used to provide the
smooth start-up, and a capacitor bank provides the reactive power
compensation. Fixed speed operation implies that any wind fluctuation would
result into the fluctuation of the mechanical torque and the electrical power.
While the mechanical torque fluctuations cause high mechanical stress, the
electrical power fluctuations lead to voltage fluctuation and flicker effects in
the case of weak grids. Such wind turbines use stall control, pitch control, or
active stall control [28].

2.2.2 Type B: Limited Variable Speed

Variable speed operation over a small range of around 0-10% can be

achieved by using wound rotor induction generator with variable rotor
resistance connected to the rotor winding through slip rings [30]. The
 25

mechanical power control is achieved by pitch control. Excess energy is

dissipated into the rotor resistance.

2.2.3 Type C: Variable Speed with Partial Scale Frequency Converter

A doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) with partial scale converters

allows speed control in a range of ±30 around the synchronous speed. The sizes
of the converters are approximately 30% of the nominal generator power [31].
The partial scale converter injects voltage in the rotor circuit at the slip
frequency to vary the slip, and thus, the variable speed operation is achieved.

2.2.4 Type D: Variable Speed with Full Scale Frequency Converter

The generator is connected to the grid through a back-to-back converter

system with a common dc-link. This converter is rated to the full power of the
converter and hence it is also known as full scale converter (FSC). Since the
generator is decoupled from the grid frequency, synchronous generators as well
as induction generators can be used. However, an induction generator usually
have a fewer number of pole pairs. Operation of the wind turbine at the normal
speed of 20–22 rpm will need a gear ratio of 68 for a four pole machine. On the
other hand, synchronous machines can be designed with multiple pole pairs
thereby reducing the synchronous speed. Multi-pole structure and frequency
decoupling enables these to be operated at very low speeds, and hence, the
gear-box can be avoided. Such a drive system is referred to as direct drive.
Annular generators from Enercon are of this type. However, the diameter of the
machine tends to be very large for large power ratings and low speed
operations. Therefore, a single stage gear-box is used, as in the case of ‘Multi-
brid’ [31].

2.2.5 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG)

Synchronous generators are widely used in power generation system. The

mechanical speed ( ) of a P-pole synchronous machine operating at the
frequency, f is given by

(2.7)
26

This implies that a multi-pole synchronous machine can be operated at very

low mechanical speeds. In a direct drive synchronous generator, the multiple
number of poles brings down the synchronous mechanical speed to the nominal
speed of the rotor, and hence, there is no need of a gear-box. However, the
machine diameters tend to be very big to accommodate a large number of
poles. In the Multi-brid concept, a single stage gear-box is used to bring down
the size and weight of the generator. Direct drive permanent magnet
synchronous generators (PMSG) have 35% lower losses than the DFIG and
approximately 32% lower than that of the direct drive synchronous generators
with wound rotors. If a single stage gear-box is used, the losses increase, but
there is a 75% reduction in weight as the synchronous speed is higher [27].

2.3 Wind Turbine Generators with Full Scale Converters

Variable speed wind turbines may have a wound rotor synchronous

generator, permanent magnet synchronous generator or an induction generator.
In all the cases, the generator dynamics is controlled by the machine side
converter for the optimum or specified power generation. A schematic of wind
turbine, gear-box (which is absent in direct-drive topology), PMSM, FSC, L-C-
L filter and the unit transformer is shown in Figure 2.2. In this section, the wind
model, aerodynamics, shaft model, and permanent magnet synchronous
generator with the controlling converter are briefly described.

Mechanical Electrical

MSC GSC
WTG#3
Gear PMSG
Unit
Full Scale Converter LCL Filter Transformer
Turbine with braking resistor

Figure 2.2 Wind Turbine, PMSG, FSC, L-C-L output filter and unit transformer.

Mechanical power available in the wind and the power that can be
harnessed depend upon the wind velocity and the operating point of the wind
turbine (2.3). For simulation studies, a model of wind can be represented by a
sum of average, ramp, gust and noise components as given by,

(2.8)
 27

where, are the average (base), gust, ramp and noise

components of the wind speed in m/s [29], [32]. The wind turbine generator
shaft dynamics can be modeled in terms of a set of three coupled masses
representing the blade, the hub, and the generator. Slootweg et al. [29]
recommends using two mass representation of the drive train to include the
dynamics of the low speed shaft.

2.3.1 Permanent Magnet Generator with Machine (Generator) Side

Converter (PMSG-MSC)

Permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is a synchronous

machine, where the field flux is generated by the permanent magnets instead of
the field excitation winding. Strachan and Jovcic [33], [34] describe modelling
and control of PMSG and the machine side converter in the synchronously
rotating reference frame. The generator torque can be precisely controlled by
vector control of the stator currents. The direct axis current is controlled to zero
value such that the torque becomes proportional to the quadrature-axis current.
It is used to drive the machine and hence the turbine at optimal speed. The
machine side converter provides the required voltage at the machine terminals
so as to achieve the stator current control.

As described in next chapter, the wind turbine, drive train, the generator,
and the generator side converter are not modelled in detail, but they are
collectively modelled as a power source with first order transfer function.

2.4 Grid Connection of Wind Power Plants

Large wind power plants can be connected to the high voltage power
system grid through high voltage ac (HVAC) or high voltage dc (HVDC)
connection. Most of the operational wind farms are close to the shore and
hence they are connected using HVAC connection. For instance, Horns Rev
Wind farm uses 21 km of submarine cable and 36 km of onshore cable for the
HVAC transmission of 160 MW at 150 kV [35].

Recently some large wind power plants are being developed in the North
Sea, far from the coast. They need long distance cable transmission for grid
connection. A high voltage submarine cable has a large shunt capacitance given
by [36],
28

(2.9)
( )

where, C is the cable capacitance, is the permittivity of the cable

insulation, is the geometric mean distance between the conductor cores,
and r is the radius of the conductor core.

Long distance HVAC cable transmission suffers from the excessive

reactive current drawn by the cable capacitance. The var generation by
submarine cables depends upon the rated voltage and length of the cable.
Typically, it is 100–150 kvar/km for 33 kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)
cables, 1 Mvar/km for 132 kV XLPE cables, and 6–8 Mvar/km for 400 kV
XLPE cables [3]. Such a large amount of var generation increases the cable
losses, reduces the power transfer capability, and requires reactive shunt
compensation to absorb the excessive reactive power; and thereby avoid over-
voltage. Presently ac cables have a maximum cable rating of about 200 MW for
a 200-km long three-phase cable, at a voltage level of 150–170 kV. It will
require inductive compensation at both ends to absorb the var generated. For a
shorter distance of 100 km, voltage ratings may be raised to 245 kV, thereby
increasing the power transfer capability to 350 MW [37]. Thus, HVAC
transmission is not feasible for large offshore power plants requiring cable
transmission over long distances. After a detailed techno-economical
evaluation, Bresesti et al. concluded in [3] that VSC-HVDC is the cheapest
option for connecting a 100 MW (and larger) wind power plants at distances
longer than 90 km from the shore.

At present several large VSC-HVDC projects like BorWin-I and II,

DolWin-I, HelWin-I are under development for the connection of offshore
wind power plants in the North Sea [38] as shown in Figure 2.3. Unlike HVAC
transmission systems, there is no reactive power generation or absorption in
HVDC transmission systems. Hence, HVDC transmission is very suitable for
bulk power transmission over long distances. This has been one of the driving
factors for the development of HVDC systems since the first commercial
installation in Gotland in the year 1954.
 29

SylWin
BorWin

HelWin
DolWin

Figure 2.4. Offshore wind power plants with VSC-HVDC connection (Source: TenneT TSO
GmbH).

The advantages of HVDC systems are fast and reversible power flow,
asynchronous and decoupled connection of two grids, power flow control and
power oscillation damping capabilities. Though a large number of large line
commutated converter (LCC) based HVDC systems are operational for bulk
power transmission and/or asynchronous connection between two grids, none
of them is associated with wind farms.

LCC-based HVDC terminals use thyristor-bridge converters, which require

a stable ac voltage for commutation. These converters are operated by delaying
the phase of current ideally between 0° and 180° with respect to the associated
voltage waveform. Hence, the current is always lagging behind the voltage.
Such converters always absorb reactive power [36]. The reactive power (var)
requirement for the LCC terminals is of the order of 60% of the active power
rating; though actual reactive power absorption depends upon the power flow
level. Large capacitive filters are used to filter out the low frequency
harmonics, and simultaneously provide reactive power to the terminals.
Another problem lies in the fact that LCC-based HVDC cannot be connected to
weak ac grids due to the risk of commutation failures and voltage instability.
The strength of ac grid with respect to the LCC-based HVDC rating is
measured in terms of short circuit ratio (SCR), and effective short circuit ratio
(ESCR), which accounts for the reactive power compensation provided at the
terminals [36].
30

2.4.1 VSC-based HVDC Transmission

High voltage, high power two-level or three-level voltage source converters

(VSC) are use d in HVDC applications. It is possible to switch the insulated
gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches in the VSC at a frequency of a few kHz
for pulse width modulation to control the phase of the current with respect to
the voltage waveform. Both active and reactive power exchange can be
independently controlled. This enables the four quadrant operation of the
converter as shown in Figure 2.5.

1.5
Q
MVAmax
1
Vc=1.15pu
0.5

Vc=1.0pu
0
P
Vc=0.85pu
-0.5

-1

Converter end Q vs P Grid end Q vs P

-1.5
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

Figure 2.5. Four quadrant operational capability of a VSC.

The advantages of VSC-HVDC over the LCC-HVDC are listed below [39]:

I. VSC-HVDC occupies around 4-6 times less footprint area as it

does not require additional reactive power compensation, and
passive harmonic filters tuned at high frequencies can be used. In
the case of LCC, the filters are bulky as they are tuned at relatively
lower frequencies of 11th and 13th harmonic and they have to
provide reactive power compensation to the HVDC converters.
Moreover, multiple numbers of such filters are used, such that they
can be switched as per the load levels.
 31

II. VSC-HVDC allows continuous control of reactive power

independent of the active power flow. LCC-HVDC has a limited
and discrete control over reactive power flow, as the capacitive
banks have to switched ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ for reactive power control.
Therefore, VSC-HVDC can support voltage regulation like a
STATCOM while the VSC-HVDC has a limited voltage regulation
control.
III. VSC-HVDC can provide fault ride-through and black start
capabilities.
IV. VSC-HVDC can be connected to weak ac grids as well as passive
grids. LCC-HVDC requires a strong ac grid with a minimum short
circuit ratio of 2.0.
V. Power reversal in LCC-HVDC involves current interruption as the
voltage polarity has to be reversed. In case of VSC-HVDC, no
such interruption is encountered as the current direction is reversed
for power reversal.
VI. LCC-HVDC operates on current source converter topology. Hence,
at least 5-10% of dc power flow is required for their operation.
There is no such constraint on VSC-HVDC.
VII. VSC-HVDC allows power reversal by the reversal of current
direction. Therefore, it is more amenable to multi-terminal
operation in comparison to LCC-HVDC, where the current
direction cannot be changed.

Due to these advantages VSC-HVDC is suitable for the grid connection of

the offshore wind power plants to the onshore grids. BorWin-I HVDC is the
first HVDC connection to an offshore wind farm. It connects the 400-MW
Borkum-2 wind farms to the German Grid. The wind turbine generators, of 5-
MW unit size, are connected to a 33-kV collector grid. The voltage is first
stepped up to 170 kV ac voltage and then the offshore HVDC converter
converts it to ±150 kV dc voltage. The transmission link comprises of 128 km
of submarine cable and 75 km of underground cable before connecting to the
380 kV ac grid at Diele.

2.5 Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based HVDC

Recently modular multi-level converters (MMC) have been developed for

HVDC applications [41], [42]. The MMC comprises of a large number of half-
32

bridge converters, usually referred to as sub-modules, with isolated capacitors

in cascade connection. Such a multi-level configuration provides modularity,
scalability, and the ac output voltage has very low harmonic content [23]. The
switching frequency can be reduced, and hence, the switching losses get
reduced as well. Due to these benefits, the new topology has rendered the two-
level or three-level VSC topologies obsolete for the new VSC-HVDC
installations. After the first VSC-HVDC connection to the Borkum-2 wind
power plant, which is now known as BorWin-I, all the new VSC-HVDCs, viz.
BorWin-II, HelWin-I, DolWin-I, SylWin-I, connecting the wind farms in the
North Sea are of the MMC-HVDC type (Figure 2.4).

A multi-level converter comprises of a number of unit sub-modules of a

low unit voltage ratings connected in series to attain the required high voltage
level as shown in Figure 2.6. Each sub-module comprises of a pair of
complimentary IGBT switches connected in series across the sub-module
capacitor. When the switch T1 is ON, the capacitor voltage, the sub-module is
referred to as turned ON, and the voltage Vc appears across the sub-module
terminals. In the ON state of the sub-module, its capacitor gets charged or
discharged depending upon the direction of its current, Ism . When the switch T2
is turned ON, and the switch T1 is OFF, the sub-module capacitor is by-passed
and the sub-module output voltage is 0. Thus by controlling the complimentary
switches T1 and T2, the output voltage of a sub-module can be controlled. Since,
there are a large number of sub-module units connected in series; a multi-level
output ac voltage waveform can be generated by controlling the ON or OFF
state of the sub-modules between the ac voltage terminal and the dc pole. At
any instant, the ac terminal voltage for phase-A is given by,

(2.10)

where, are the number of sub-modules in ON state in the upper and

lower multi-valves of the same phase. Similarly, other phase voltages can be
obtained. From (2.10) it is obvious that when the voltage drop across the
reactors are ignored, the total number of sub-modules in a phase is related to
the dc pole voltage by the relation,
 33

(2.11)

Multi-valve
Ia,up
Sub-Module (SM) SM1 SM1 SM1
IC
SM2 SM2 SM2
T1

+
ISM Vc C SMnp SMnp SMnp
-
Lc
T2 Va Ia Vb

Vdc
VSM Vc

Lc

SM1 Vc SM1 SM1

If T1=1, T2=0, àVSM=Vc, IC=ISM,
If T1=0, T2=1, àVSM=0,IC=0
SM2 SM2 SM2

SMnn SMnn SMnn

Ia,lo

Figure 2.6. Modular multi-level voltage source converter.

Since the multi-level output ac voltage has a lower harmonic content, hence
the tuned filters, which are mandatory in a two-level or three-level converters,
are not required in an MMC. The converter sub-modules are switched at a low
frequency, but the effective frequency turns out to be very high due to the large
number of sub-modules connected in series. Due to low frequency switching,
the overall losses are lower [43]. On the flip side, the number of IGBT switches
required for a given converter is double of that required in a two-level
converter.

The multi-level output ac voltage has a lower harmonic content and hence
the tuned filters, which are mandatory in a two-level or three-level converters
are not required. The converter sub-modules are switched at a low frequency,
but the effective frequency turns out to be very high due to the number of sub-
34

modules connected in series. Due to low frequency switching, the overall

losses are lower [43]. On the flip side, the number of IGBT switches required
for a given converter is doubled.

An application of MMC-HVDC for the connection of wind power plants

was presented in [41]. Nevertheless, the two-level VSC-HVDC system has
been considered in this project. The project deals with the analysis of the
operation and control of the WPP with VSC-HVDC connection to the grid with
respect to the normal as well as the faulted conditions. Most of the findings of
this project can be extended to the MMC-HVDC systems as well with
necessary modifications.

2.6 Summary

Wind power plants have been briefly introduced in this chapter. VSC-
HVDC transmission has several advantages over the high voltage ac
transmission, especially for the grid integration of large and remote offshore
wind power plants. Consequently, all such plants have been proposed to have
the VSC-HVDC connection. MMC-HVDC is the latest development in VSC-
HVDC transmission. However, this project does not involve the actual
converter design, and the two-level VSC-HVDC will be used in this project.

***
 35

3 System Layout and Main Circuit Parameters

A 400 MW offshore wind power plant with VSC-HVDC connection to the

onshore grid was considered as the test system. A single line drawing is given
in Figure 3.1. In this chapter, the different components of the system are
described. Some of the main circuit parameters were assumed on the basis of
system ratings, while others were determined.

WTGs MV Collector Grid & HV Feeders VSC-HVDC Transmission

GSC LCL
Filter MV feeder #1
36 kV Coll. System
Bus#1 150 kV

170 kV
#1 Coll Bus #1 150 kV
MV feeder #2 HV feeder #1 Xph1
Vc1 Offshore
VSC
#2 36 kV Coll. FB
Bus#2
Vdc1
36 kV Coll.
MV feeder #3 150 kV
Bus#3
Coll Bus #2 ±150 kV,
#3 1400A,
HV feeder #2 200km
MV feeder #4 HVDC Cable

#4 FA
Vdc2
36 kV Coll.

170 kV
400MW offshore WPP Bus#4 Onshore Grid
(Th- Eqvt.)
Feeder circuit breaker (CB) Onshore
o/c relay current transformer (CT) Vg VSC
400 kV

Figure 3.1. Single line diagram (SLD) of the test system (a 400 MW WPP with VSC-HVDC
connection to the grid).

3.1 Main Circuit Components and Parameters

The test system comprises of the following main components:

i. Onshore grid
ii. Converter transformers
iii. Tuned filters
iv. Phase reactors
v. Voltage source converters
vi. HVDC capacitors
vii. HVDC cables
viii. 150-kV submarine cables
36

ix. Three-winding transformers

x. Zig-zag grounding transformers
xi. Wind turbine generators with L-C-L filters

3.2 Onshore Grid

The onshore grid is represented by a Thevenin’s equivalent of a 400-kV

voltage source with series impedance. The grid impedance is estimated on the
basis of the WPP short circuit ratio at the point of grid connection. The
resistive and inductive parts of the impedance are determined from the grid
angle. For simulating the plant behaviour, the Danish grid code specifies the
ratio of wind power plant capacity to the grid short circuit MVA, which is also
referred to as the short circuit ratio. It should be considered as 10, and the grid
angle should be considered as 84.3° which means that the reactance to
resistance ratio ( ratio) should be 10 [13].

3.3 Converter Transformers

Converter transformers are required to interface the VSC output voltage to

the grid voltage. The onshore converter transformer has the nominal voltage
ratio of 400/170-kV as it interfaces the 170-kV VSC with the 400-kV onshore
grid. The offshore converter transformer has the nominal voltage ratio of
170/150 kV to connect with the offshore collector grid at 150 kV. The
transformer is sized at 450 MVA in line with the system base of 445 MVA for
400-MW WPP. Tap changers are provided to bring down the grid side nominal
voltage −15% in 12 steps of 1.25%. The leakage reactance is assumed to be
14%, and the losses are 0.5% no load loss and 0.5% full load copper loss.

3.4 Voltage Source Converters

Two-level voltage source converters have been considered here for the
VSC-HVDC transmission system. Sine-triangle modulation at the 39th
harmonic (i.e. 1950 Hz for 50-Hz ac system) switching frequency has been
assumed, which represents the first generation of the VSC-HVDC converter.

Sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (SPWM) of two level converters

generates odd harmonics at the switching frequency and its multiples along
 37

with the sidebands around them. The harmonic components in the output is
given by the expression [44],

( ) ( ) ∑ ( ) ( ) { ( )}

( ) (3.1)
∑ ∑ ( ) ( ) { ( ) ( )}

where, ( ) = instantaneous line to ground voltage,

= pole to pole dc voltage,
M = modulation index
= fundamental and carrier frequencies
, = phase angles of the fundamental and the carrier
frequency at time, ( )
( ) = i-th order Bessel function of the first kind with the
argument, .

The amplitudes of the harmonic components decrease with the reciprocal

of the multiple number m of the switching frequency. Hence, the harmonics
around the first and second multiples of the switching frequency (i.e. the 37 th,
39th, 41st, 77th, and the 79th harmonics) have relatively higher amplitudes. A plot
of the harmonic spectrum of a two-level converter is given in Figure 3.2.

The triplen harmonic voltage components constitute the zero sequence and
hence they do not appear in the expression for the line-to-line voltage. The
harmonic currents can, however flow at these frequencies, as the grounded
filters provide the path for the zero sequence currents.

3.5 Tuned Filters

The high frequency harmonics generated by the PWM can be filtered by

using passive tuned filters. Such a filter is usually characterized by the tuned
resonant frequency, quality factor and shunt reactive power injected at the
power frequency.

The admittance function of the filter shown in Figure 3.3 is given by (3.2).
38

( ) (3.2)

Frequency Spectrum
0.9
Fundamental
0.8 Component

0.7 Component at
Switching Frequency
0.6
Magnitude (pu)

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 3.2 Frequency spectrum of a two level voltage source converter (Modulation index=0.9).

R L

Figure 3.3. Tuned filter circuit.

Two such filters, tuned at the 39th and 78th harmonic frequencies, are used
at each of the two VSC-HVDC terminals in this test system. They have the
quality factors of 25 and 6 respectively, and they inject 0.06 pu and 0.03 pu of
reactive power respectively. From these data, the resistance, inductance and
capacitance are calculated as described in Appendix A. The admittance versus
frequency characteristics of these filters are shown in Figure 3.4 and Figure 3.5.
 39

Admittance of Filter #1 (Tuned at 1950 Hz)

20

Admittance (dB)
-20

-40

-60
90

45
Phase (deg)

-45

-90
2 3 4
10 10 10
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 3.4. Bode plot of 39th harmonic filter admittance.

Admittance of Filter #2 (Tuned at 3900 Hz)

0

-10

-20
Admittance (dB)

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70
90

45
Phase (deg)

-45

-90
2 3 4
10 10 10
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 3.5 Bode plot of 78th harmonic filter admittance.

40

3.6 Phase Reactors

Phase reactors are required to interface the PWM converter with the grid. It
provides the attenuation of current ripples, as the maximum peak-to-peak ripple
current is given by,

( )( ) (3.3)

where, , and

Reactor terminal voltages

100
Converter end
kV

0 Filter end

-100
0.1 0.104 0.108 0.112 0.116 0.12
Voltage across phase reactor
200
kV

-200
0.1 0.104 0.108 0.112 0.116 0.12
Current through the reactor
1

0
kA

-1
0.1 0.104 0.108 0.112 0.116 0.12
Time (s)
Figure 3.6. Phase reactor voltage and current waveforms

Figure 3.6 shows the ripple currents through a 19.3 mH phase reactor
driven by a VSC with 300 kV dc link voltage at the switching frequency of
1950 Hz. A large phase reactor would mean a higher impedance to the ripple
current, and hence, lower current ripples. However, too high value would slow
down the dynamics of the converter. In this project a phase reactor of 0.12 pu
size has been used.
 41

3.7 DC Line Capacitors

DC line capacitors provide the filtering of current ripples on the dc side as

well as maintain the dc voltage for the operation of the VSC. These are sized
on the basis of the dc link voltage and power handling capacities of the
converter [45]. Typically, the size is given in terms of time constant, defined
as,

(3.4)

In other words is the time taken to charge the capacitors to the nominal dc
voltage level, when they are charged by the rated current. For the VSC-HVDC
system in this project, a time constant of 2 ms has been used [45], [46]. This
gives the capacitor size of 35.5 µF from each of the dc lines to the ground.

3.8 HVDC Cable

Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables are used in VSC-HVDC

transmission. Nominal power rating of 400 MW at ±150 kV dc voltage requires
a current flow of 1.33 kA. Assuming a current density of 1.2 A/mm2, the
required copper cross section area is 1111 mm2. In BorWin 1 HVDC of similar
ratings, XLPE insulated copper cables of 1200 mm2 conductor cross section
were used. The calculations are given in Appendix A. An insulation thickness
of 12 mm is assumed.

3.9 Wind Power Plant Layout

The 400-MW wind power plant is divided into four clusters. Each cluster
has fifteen WTGs installed on three radial feeders as shown in Figure 3.7(a).
There are five 6.7 MW turbines on each feeder, referred to as a string. Thus, the
total capacity of feeder becomes 33.5MW. The IEEE Working Group Report
[47] states that the underground feeder strings are generally rated for around 25
to 30 MW due to soil thermal conditions and practical cable sizes. Three WTG
feeder strings are connected to the same collector bus in parallel combination.

Under rated power generation conditions, the radial feeder current will
increase as the number of turbine connections increase along the cable length
42

towards the collector bus. Hence, the cable cross-section near the collector bus
should be larger than the cable cross-section at the remote end. Here three
different cable cross sections, viz. 95 mm2, 240 sq. mm2, and 400 mm2 have
been used as shown in Figure 3.7(a).

95 sq.mm Cu Cable 240 sq.mm Cu Cable 400 sq.mm Cu Cable

6.7MW
1A 2A 3A 4A 5A
C12a C23a C34a C45a C5Ta
WTG Feeder #A

36 kV collector bus
1B 2B 3B 4B 5B
C12b C23b C34b C45b C5Tb
WTG Feeder #B

1C 2C 3C 4C 5C
C12c C23c C34c C45c C5Tc
WTG Feeder #C

(a) WTG layout in the test WPP layout

33.3 MW

Eqvt. WTG Feeder #A

36 kV collector bus

100 MW 36 kV collector bus

Eqvt. WTG Feeder #B Eqvt.

Aggregated WTG Feeder

Eqvt. WTG Feeder #C

(b) Equivalent WTG (c) Equivalent aggregated WTG

cable strings cable feeder

Figure 3.7. Layout of a wind power plant and its aggregate model.

The equivalent parameters for the equivalent WTG feeder string #A in

Figure 3.7(b) can be calculated on the basis of active and reactive power loss in
the feeder for the rated current flow from each of the WTGs [48]. It is given by,
 43

∑
, ∑ (3.5)

where, is the series impedance and is the shunt susceptance of the mth
section. is the equivalent series impedance, and is the total shunt
susceptance of the equivalent feeder.

Equation (3.5) is based upon the assumption that there are m WTGs
connected to the cable section m, and each of them contribute the same nominal
current to the cable. As the three feeder strings appear in parallel at the
collector bus, the equivalent feeder impedance, and susceptance,
as shown in Figure 3.7(c) are given by their parallel combination [48]. These
are given by,

(3.6)

The WTG feeders are connected to the 36-kV terminals of the three-
winding step-up transformer as shown in Figure 3.1. Such a connection is
inspired from [49]. The collector grid voltage was selected as 36 kV, instead of
the more popular 33-kV systems, in order to optimize the cable size for the
adopted power ratings. The 150-kV terminals of the three-winding transformer
are connected to the converter transformer through 150-kV high voltage (HV)
cable feeders.

3.10 Neutral Grounding

The WTG end of the 36-kV medium voltage (MV) cable feeders are
connected to the delta winding terminals of the unit transformer, which has the
YnD5 winding configuration. Even the other end of the MV feeder is connected
to the delta winding terminals of the plant step-up transformer at the collector
bus. Thus, both the ends of the MV feeders in the WPP collector grid are
terminated to the delta winding terminals of the transformers, which pose high
impedance to the flow of the zeros-sequence currents. Therefore, the MV
feeders remain ungrounded. When there is a single line to ground fault, zero-
sequence currents are produced which cannot flow in an ungrounded system.
Consequently, the fault current is low but over-voltages of the order of 1.73 pu
or even higher in the case of arcing faults are produced [50].
44

An ungrounded system or the system with high resistance grounding

(HRG) system enables uninterrupted system operation even in the event of a
single line to ground fault. Due to high impedance of the zero sequence
network, the fault current is very small, and fault detection is difficult. The
system need not be interrupted as such. However, it results in over-voltages on
the healthy phases, and oscillating neutral conditions appears in the presence of
unbalanced operations. Moreover, the overvoltage raises the probability of
another fault, thereby, leading to a line-line fault. Therefore, HRG is not
favoured for high voltage applications. HRG systems can be applied on 2.4-kV
and 4.16-kV systems, though they are mostly used on power systems of
voltages up to 600V ac [51].

The system grounding can be provided by the addition of a star-delta

transformer with the grounded neutral and the delta winding terminals in open
circuit, a zig-zag grounding transformer, or a T-connected grounding
transformer. Zig-zag transformer is commonly employed as grounding
transformer in power systems as it is less expensive, and relatively smaller in
size [52].

Figure 3.8 shows the winding configuration of a zig-zag grounding

transformer and its phasor diagram for the positive sequence components. Each
of the three limbs has two sets of windings denoted by letters (A1, B1, or C1)
and (a1,b1, or c1). Series connection of the two windings of different phases
ensures that they carry the same current; and since the two windings on the
same limb are wound in opposite direction, the net flux due to the zero
sequence current is zero. Therefore, it has low impedance for the zero sequence
currents, which is effectively the leakage reactance of the transformer. At the
same time, it offers very high impedance, which is effectively the magnetizing
reactance of the transformer core, for the positive and negative sequence
components [52].

3.11 Wind Turbine Generator with Full Scale Converter

The wind model, aerodynamics, gear system, the synchronous generator

and the generator side converter are collectively modelled as a first order low-
pass transfer function with an assumed time constant of 20 ms. Mechanical
power from the wind is provided as an input to the transfer function. Its output
 45

is an equivalent dc current source connected to the dc link of the full scale

converter as shown in Figure 3.9.

A
B
C B

c1

A1
a1 b1 c1
C
B1 N C1 b1
A1 B1 C1

a1
I0 I0 I0
N
3I0
A
RN
(b)

(a)
Figure 3.8. Neutral grounding zig-zag transformer. (a) Winding configuration; (b) Phasor
diagram.

LCL Filter
L1 L2
36 kV
Chopper
Resistor
Vdc.lk

(a) WTG-FSC with LCL filter and Unit Transformer

LCL Filter
Vdc.lk

(b) Current source Model of WTG

Figure 3.9 Model of an aggregated WTG with its LCL filter and step-up transformer.

The grid side converter (GSC) is controlled to maintain the dc link voltage
balance by evacuating the excess power to the offshore grid. It is equipped with
an L-C-L filter, and the unit transformer in grounded wye-delta connection.
The grounded wye is on the low voltage (LV) side towards the GSC, and the
delta connection is on the medium voltage (MV) side. Such a connection
46

isolates the zero sequence impedance of the MV grid from the individual WTG
LV circuit and provides a solid ground reference for the WTG [47]. There is a
load-break switch to disconnect the WTG when required.

3.12 Control of the Grid Side Converter of WTG-FSC

Positive sequence current control approach has been considered here for the
grid side converter (GSC) of the WTG-FSC system. Accordingly, for a given
transfer of active power, and reactive power, the positive sequence
current references of WTG-GSC are given by,

( )
(3.7)
( )
}

where, are the positive sequence voltage components across the

capacitor of the LCL filter of the WTG. The terms, are the positive
sequence current references along the -axes in the stationary reference
frame. Proportional resonant controllers are used to implement the current
control, as shown in Figure 3.10.

Kp


i +
Ki
+
x
vwt .
- -
w
i vwt .
x

Kp


i +
Ki x
vwt .
+ +
- - +
i w
vwt .
x

Figure 3.10. Proportional resonant current controllers for the WTG GSC.
 47

The overall control structure along with the schematics of a WTG-GSC is

shown in Figure 3.11. The current control equations are given below:

( )( ) (3.8)

( )( ) (3.9)

Equation (3.7) requires the estimation of the positive sequence components

from the three phase measured voltage variables. The next section describes the
extraction of the positive sequence components and the positive sequence
component based phase locked loop (PLL).

- to
+ +
- +

(a)

Unit
WTG-GSC
Transformer
(Average Model)
LCL Filter 3.3 kV 36 kV DSOGI
to
AFLL

to

(b) (c)

Figure 3.11. WTG GSC (a) controller, (b) schematics and (c) WTG current and voltage signal
transformations.

3.13 Separation of Positive and Negative Sequence

Components

The sequence components of a three-phase voltage or current can be

obtained using Clarke’s transformation and the second order generalized
integrator (SOGI) based filters. The extraction of positive and negative
sequence components is described here with respect to the three-phase voltage.
The same process is applied to extract the sequence components of the current
as well.
48

The measured three-phase voltage quantities can be converted into two-

phase equivalent along the - axes using the Clarke’s transformation as
follows,

[ ] [ ] (3.10)
[ ]

The -axis is aligned with the axis of phase A, while the -axis leads the -
axis by 90º For a set of balanced three-phase positive sequence
voltages the positive sequence components and have
the same magnitude as that of . The component is in phase with the
phase A voltage , and lags by 90º. Likewise, for a set of balanced
three-phase negative sequence voltages, the negative
sequence components and have the same magnitude as that of .
The component is in phase with the phase A voltage ; while the
component leads by 90º.

A set of unbalanced voltages can be decomposed into balanced positive,

negative and zero sequence components. In absence of the zero-sequence
components, the positive sequence components, ( ) and the negative
sequence components ( ) in the - axes are given by the
transformations [53],

[ ] [ ][ ] (3.11)

[ ] [ ][ ] (3.12)

Here, the multiplication of a vector by , introduces a phase lag of

90º without changing its magnitude. This implies that the phase shifted
components of the components and are required. A derivation of these
equations is given in Appendix B. It is obvious from (3.9) and (3.10) that,

[ ] [ ] [ ] (3.13)
 49

In-phase and quadrature components of the input voltage signal are

required in (3.11), (3.12). These are obtained using the second order
generalized integrator (SOGI), which is tuned at the nominal power frequency.
Hence, it is also referred to as SOGI quadrature signal generator (QSG). Figure
3.12 gives a block diagram of SOGI-QSGs for the voltage components along
the - axes.

-
+ +
-

-
+ +
-

Figure 3.12. Block Diagram of SOGI quadrature signal generator (QSG)

By Mason’s loop gain formula, the transfer functions of the SOGI-QSG for
the in-phase component along the -axis, and its quadrature component,
are given by,
( )
(3.14)
( )
( )
(3.15)
( )

At, the tuned frequency, , the gains are unity.

( ) ( )
( )
| and ( )
| (3.16)

The parameter ‘’ determines the bandwidth. At the resonant frequency,

the in-phase signal is extracted from the input signal with unity gain;
while the components at all other frequencies get attenuated as shown by curve
#1 in Figure 3.16. A quadrature signal which lags the in-phase signal by
90°, is generated with unity gain at the resonant frequency as given by (3.16).
Similar analysis is applicable for the components, and .
50

Once the instantaneous voltage components along the -axes, and their
90° phase-shifted components are available, the positive and negative sequence
components can be calculated using (3.11) and (3.12). The curve #3 represents
the frequency response of the positive sequence component along the -axis in
Figure 3.13

10
2
0
3
Magnitude (dB)

-10 1
-20

-30
(1) (2) (3) 0.5
-40
90
45 1&3
Phase (deg)

0
-45 2
-90
-135
-180
10 50 100 400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 3.13. Bode plot of SOGI-QSG (Curve #3 is for the positive sequence components).

3.14 Positive Sequence Phase Locked Loop (PLL)

A positive sequence PLL has been developed using the positive sequence
voltage components along the -axes. Since the voltage vector is aligned
along the d-axis, the q-axis component is applied to the proportional integral
(PI) controller to get the frequency ( ) and the phase angle ( ) as shown in
Figure 3.14.

to +
d-q +

Figure 3.14. Positive sequence phase locked loop.

 51

3.15 Control of VSC-HVDC system

The VSC-HVDC transmission system has two converters: the onshore

converter, VSC#1, and the offshore converter, VSC#2. The basic control
scheme of these converters is described here.

3.15.1 Onshore Grid Converter

The onshore VSC controller (VSCC#2) regulates the HVDC voltage and
the reactive power (or ac terminal voltage) exchanged with the onshore grid. Its
block diagram along with the terminal schematic is shown in Figure 3.15.
Conventional vector control of currents in the dq- axes in the rotating reference
frame has been applied here. The converter terminal voltage ( ) are
related to the grid voltatge ( ) at the filter bus by Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law (KVL) in the rotating reference frame by,

(3.17)

(3.18)

where, is the frequency, and are the resistance and inductance of the
phase reactor. The grid voltage ( ) is measured at the filter bus. It is
shown by the vector symbol, ( ) in Figure 3.15(b). The phase
reactor current ( ) flows into the converter, as shown by the three phase
symbol, .

The proportional-integral (PI) controller acts upon the current deviation

from the reference current signals ( ) to produce the voltage references
for the converter( ) as given below,

( ) ∫( ) (3.19)

( ) ∫( ) (3.20)
52

The outer loops regulate the dc line voltage, of the VSC-HVDC

transmission on the onshore terminals and the reactive power flow, to the
grid. Since the PLL is aligned such that the grid voltage appears along the d-
axis in the synchronous rotating reference frame, the reference for d-axis
current control will regulate the active power flow, and hence, the dc voltage.
Similarly, the q-axis current control will control the reactive power exchange
with the grid as given by,

+
−

+ +

+ + −
− −
+

+
− V/Q
Control

(a)

Rpr, Lpr Xt2

Vdc

Vg
Onshore VSC

(b)

Figure 3.15. Onshore VSC-HVDC; (a) Controller block diagram; (b) Circuit schematic

( ) ∫( ) (3.21)

( ) ∫( ) (3.22)

where, the superscript ‘*’ indicates the reference quantities.

The parameters of these three PI-controllers were tuned using pole

cancellation technique. It is described in the Appendix B. A kind of derivative
 53

controller has been added in the d-axis current controller in order to improve
the transient performance.

3.15.2 Offshore Grid Converter

The basic function of the offshore VSC controller is to maintain the voltage
and the frequency in the offshore WPP grid. Since the frequency is predefined
as external reference to this converter, a PLL is not required [8], [10]. Likewise
the onshore VSC controller, this controller, too, can be modelled in the
synchronously rotating reference frame (or the dq frame given by the Park’s
transformation) and then the PI controllers can be used. However, separate
controllers are required when the positive and negative sequence current
controllers have to be implemented. The positive sequence PI controller is
described here as the basic controller; and the negative sequence current
controller will be described in Chapter 6.

The block diagram of the controller in synchronously rotating reference

frame is given in Figure 3.16. The governing equations of the inner current
control loop of the controller are similar to (3.19)-(3.20) except that the voltage
feed-forward terms are removed. They are as follows:

( ) ∫( ) (3.23)

( ) ∫( ) (3.24)

The outer voltage control loop is basically a positive sequence voltage

controller. It generates the intermediate current references, ( ) from
the error between the reference voltage, ( ) and the positive sequence
voltage ( ) offshore grid voltage measured at the filter bus. The
equations are given below,

( ) ∫( ) (3.25)

( ) ∫( ) (3.26)

When the WPP is operating, it injects the active and reactive power to the
offshore VSC-HVDC terminal. The corresponding current can be measured
and added to the current reference as feed-forward terms as explained in [10].
When the currents were directly measured and applied as feed-forward terms,
54

the transient performance of the controller is not good as the feed-forward

current terms are much dominant than the reference generated by the outer loop
controller. Therefore instead of measuring the current, active and reactive
power is measured and the current feed-forward terms due to WPP injection are
calculated using the measured positive sequence voltage ( ), as
follows,

[ ] [ ] (3.27)

This ensures that the advantage that the voltage is always aligned along the d-
axis in the positive sequence; thereby leading to improved performance during
transients and recovery from faults.

The power frequency current drawn by the tuned filters can be calculated
by,

[ ] [ ][ ] (3.28)

where, is the effective capacitance of the filter at power frequency.

Finally, the overall current reference ( ) is given by,

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] (3.29)
 55

+ − + −
− − − −

(a)

Vdc1
Rpr, Lpr
VSC1
WPP

(b)
Figure 3.16. Offshore VSC controller.

3.16 Overall Control Structure

Additional controllers can be added on top of the individual converter or

turbine controllers as shown in Figure 3.17 for specific purposes.
56

V*ac_WPP f*ac_WPP
Pref_WPP VHVDC1
HVDC-Volt Vac
& fac control
WPPC
V1*ac_WPP
ax

f1*ac_WPP
m
ij _

ij
P
P

Vac_WPP
droop
VSCC#1
fWTG Iac_WPP
PLL 6 FP

VSC#1

Filters

HVDC Transmission Cable

V*HVDC Q*ac_grid or
V*ac_rms_grid
Fgrid_fb LFC
V1*HVDC
PLL qGrid
VHVDC2
VSCC#2
Vabc_grid Iabc_grid
6 FP

VSC#2
Filters

Figure 3.17. Overall control structure of the WPP with VSC-HVDC connection.

This figure shows the overall control scheme for the participation of the
offshore wind power plant in the onshore grid frequency control as well as low
voltage ride through. No communication is envisaged here. The dc reference
voltage of the HVDC system is varied as a function of the measured grid
frequency. The dc voltage rise is sensed by the offshore grid converter, which
responds by changing the offshore grid frequency. Thus, the onshore grid
frequency can be conveyed to the offshore grid through a point to point VSC-
HVDC link. The scheme is described in detail in the next chapter.
 57

Similarly additional control functions can be provided for the purpose of

fault ride through control.

3.17 Summary

A test system comprising of a large wind power plant with VSC-HVDC

connection to the onshore grid has been presented here. Main circuit
parameters have been determined (by assumption, by reference or by
computation). The WTG and the VSC-HVDC controllers have been described
as well. It is considered as a benchmark test system for this project.

***
 59

4 Operation and Control of WPP with VSC-HVDC

Connection

This chapter demonstrates the simulation results of different operational

modes—the energization of the VSC-HVDC and the WPP, ramping up of the
power, followed by ramping down and the subsequent shut-down of the whole
system. A single line to ground fault is simulated to show the robustness of the
control structure. Finally the frequency regulation and fault ride through cases
have been demonstrated.

4.1 Operational Modes

A sequence of events was simulated to demonstrate the normal operation of

the WPP with VSC-HVDC connection to the onshore grid. The WPP and VSC-
HVDC is started from completely de-energized state, and the power is ramped
up to the rated values. Afterwards the power is ramped down, and the whole
system is de-energized in the end. The sequence of events is listed in Table 4.1.

4.1.1 Charging of VSC-HVDC Lines

In the beginning, the VSC-HVDC, as well as the offshore WPP grid, was in
de-energized state. When the circuit breaker (CB) is closed, the onshore VSC-
HVDC terminal got connected to the grid through the converter transformer.
Though the VSC was blocked, the anti-parallel diodes in the VSC conducted,
and a large inrush current flowed in to charge the HVDC capacitors. The cable
capacitance and the dc capacitors on the dc side of the rectifier were charged to
the peak line to ground voltage levels, i.e. ±138.8 kV or 277.6 kV pole-pole
voltage when the ac side was connected to the 170 kV (line–line, rms) grid as
shown in Figure 4.1.

The initial magnitude of inrush current was limited by the impedance of the
grid, converter transformers and the phase reactors. Even then, pre-insertion
resistors were required to avoid the sudden current surge flowing to the VSC.
In this simulation, pre-insertion resistors of 1 k was used for a period of 70
ms. Then the onshore VSC was de-blocked so that the dc line voltages got
regulated to the nominal dc voltage level of 300 kV.
60

Table 4.1. Event list for the demonstration of the normal operating modes of the WPP with
VSC-HVDC connection

Time Event
0.00s All CBs are open. All controllers are disabled
0.05s Onshore grid CB is closed. Pre-insertion resistance is 1 k. By pass
resistance remains in circuit for 70 ms.
0.20s The onshore VSC is de-blocked. Its controller is enabled.
0.40s The offshore VSC is de-blocked and its controller is enabled. The
offshore converter transformer is connected by the circuit breaker.
0.50s The WTG controllers are enabled.
0.60s The WTG #1 breaker is closed. Other WTG breakers get closed
sequentially.
1.40s Power reference is set to 400MW. This power order gets divided to
the four aggregated WTGs. Maximum rate of change of power is
250MW/sec.
4.5s A single line to ground fault is applied at the point ‘FA’ on the
feeder connecting WTG 4. (The fault is not a part of normal
operation. It is included here just to show that the complete control
system can withstand a transient fault).
5.40s Power order is set to 0. Power order falls at the rate of 250 MW/sec.
8.40s The WTG1 circuit breaker is opened.
9.60s The WTG voltages are set to 0. WPP circuit breaker is opened.
9.80s The offshore VSC is blocked.
10.40s Onshore VSC voltage reference is set to 0.
10.90s Onshore VSC is blocked and the onshore grid transformer is opened.

4.1.2 Energizing the Offshore Grid

After the VSC-HVDC voltage was stabilized, the offshore VSC was de-
blocked. Its controller ramped up the ac reference voltage and the offshore
voltage gradually built up. After the nominal voltage level had been attained in
the offshore-grid, the WTG cable strings were sequentially connected to the
collector bus in order to avoid undue oscillations. At this point of time, the
WPP was fully energized, and the WTGs were ready for synchronization.
Figure 4.2 shows the voltage and current waveforms under these conditions. A
 61

small power flowed from the onshore grid to meet the no load losses of the
system.

1
Vac (pu)
0

-1
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
0.5
Iac (pu)
0

-0.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
1
Vdc (pu)
0.5

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Idc (pu)
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Time (s)

Figure 4.1. Energization of the VSC HVDC system. Vac is the filter bus voltage of the onshore
VSC-HVDC terminal, Iac is the current through the onshore phase reactors, Vdc is the dc link
voltage, and Idc is the dc line current.

4.1.3 Synchronization of the WTGs and Power Control

In this case, the WTGs were running at rated voltage but with no load
generation. First they had to get synchronized to the offshore grid voltage. The
positive sequence voltage was estimated from the terminal voltage using dual
second order generalized integrator (DSOGI) filters, and synchronization was
achieved using the frequency locked loop (FLL) [53], [54]. When the power
generation picked up, the dc-link voltage regulation set the power reference for
the WTG-GSC. However, the actual power control lied with the WTG, and
machine side converter controls. The reactive power reference might have been
set by an auxiliary terminal voltage regulation loop or it could be externally set.
In the simulated case, it was set to zero. Positive sequence current references
were generated from the estimated positive sequence voltage, and the active
and reactive power orders as per (3.7). Then, they were controlled using the
62

proportional resonant controllers in the stationary reference frame as described

in the previous chapter.

1
Vac (pu)
0

-1
1.28 1.285 1.29 1.295 1.3 1.305 1.31
0.5 Iac (pu)
0

-0.5
1.28 1.285 1.29 1.295 1.3 1.305 1.31
1.01
Vdc (pu)
1

0.99
1.28 1.285 1.29 1.295 1.3 1.305 1.31

0.05
0
Idc (pu)
-0.05
1.28 1.285 1.29 1.295 1.3 1.305 1.31
Time (s)

Figure 4.2. Waveforms when the offshore collector grid was energized and the WTG units were
connected. Vac ‒ the filter bus voltage of the onshore VSC-HVDC terminal; Iac ‒ the current
through the onshore phase reactors; Vdc ‒ the dc link voltage; and Idc ‒ the dc line current.

1
Vac (pu)
0

-1
3.28 3.285 3.29 3.295 3.3 3.305 3.31
1

0
Iac (pu)
-1
3.28 3.285 3.29 3.295 3.3 3.305 3.31
1.02
Vdc (pu)
1

0.98
3.28 3.285 3.29 3.295 3.3 3.305 3.31
-0.9

-1
Idc (pu) Pg (pu)
-1.1
3.28 3.285 3.29 3.295 3.3 3.305 3.31
Time (s)

Figure 4.3. Steady state operation at full load. Vac ‒ the filter bus voltage of the onshore VSC-
HVDC terminal. Iac ‒ the current through the onshore phase reactors; Vdc ‒ the dc link voltage;
and Idc ‒ the dc line current.
 63

4.1.4 Steady State Operation

Figure 4.3 shows the ac voltage and current waveform at the onshore VSC-
HVDC terminal when the WPP was generating nominal 1 pu power. The dc
link voltage ripple was less than 1%, while there was significant ripple in the
dc current even at nominal power ratings. The dc current was measured
between the HVDC cable and the dc capacitors.

Figure 4.4 shows that the WTGs had to absorb the reactive power
throughout the operating range as the collector grid is capacitive in nature. It
also shows the impact of a transient single line to ground fault of 150 ms
duration at a 36 kV collector bus (for WTG#4).

During the single line to ground fault, power flow got disturbed for some
time and power output from WTG #1 also got affected. High ripples were
observed on the HVDC system during the fault, but they settled down to
nominal levels soon after the fault was cleared.

1
Pg (pu)
0.5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
1
Pwtg1 (pu)
0.5
Qwtg1 (pu)
0
-0.5
0 2 4 6 8 10
1.5
1
0.5
Vdc (pu)
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
1.5
1
Idc (pu)
0.5
0
-0.5
0 2 4 6 8 10
Time (s)

Figure 4.4. Full operating range (with a single line to ground fault at 4.5 s).
64

4.1.5 WPP Shut Down

In this step the reference power to the WTGs was set to zero and the power
generation was ramped down as shown in Figure 4.4. Then the whole plant was
shut down in a controlled way. First the WTGs were shut down, and then the
offshore VSC-HVDC terminal was blocked. Then the onshore VSC was
blocked. The dc system had trapped dc voltage which would take a long time to
discharge by itself. Discharge resistors had to be connected to ensure a quicker
discharge.

4.2 Frequency Control through VSC-HVDC Transmission

Traditionally the conventional power plants have been providing the grid
frequency support in terms of inertial response, primary, secondary and tertiary
frequency regulation in the event of power unbalances. With the increase in the
penetration of wind power in the power system, grid operators are putting
regulations for the participation of wind power plants in frequency regulation.
The German and Danish grid codes are briefly discussed here and then a
simulation study of grid frequency control in the wind power plant with VSC-
HVDC connection is presented.

4.2.1 German Grid Requirement on Frequency Regulation

Grid codes specify the frequency control capabilities of the power

generation plants for grid connection. The German Grid code [11] states that all
generating plants should be capable of reducing their output power at the rate
of 1% of the rated power per minute across the entire range of operation. Large
generating plants of 100 MW or larger plant sizes must be able to contribute to
the primary frequency regulation with a control band of at least 2% of the rated
power and adjustable frequency power droop characteristics. The total primary
control power must be activated within 30s for a quasi-stationary frequency
deviation of ±200 mHz, and it must be supplied for at least 15-minute duration.
This gives a droop characteristic of 20% regulation i.e. the active power
generation changes by 100% for 20% change in frequency. The insensitivity
range must be less than ±10 mHz.

An over-frequency in the grid implies that there is excess of generation

than the load demand and hence the power plants are required to cut down the
 65

generation. Wind power plant generation can be brought down by varying the
operating point through the control of pitch angle,  and tip speed ratio, .
There are problems when there is under-frequency and the power generation
has to be ramped up. Since wind energy is not a controllable source of power,
power cannot be ramped up if it is already operating under maximum power
point tracking regime. De-rated operation (i.e. less than maximum available
wind power) has been proposed to provide margin for eventual frequency
support [22]. Deviations and amendments were provided in the Grid code for
offshore wind [12], whereby offshore wind power plant has to reduce power
generation during over-frequency conditions in the grid as shown in Figure 4.5.
When the grid frequency exceeds 50.1 Hz, power has to be reduced at the rate
of 98% per Hz drop in the grid frequency, and 25% per second of the active
power available at the moment. The unit should be disconnected after 10
seconds if the frequency remains at or above 51.5 Hz.

50.1 Hz fGrid

DP=98% of PM /Hz

DP

Figure 4.5. Active power reduction at over-frequency.

4.2.2 Danish Grid Requirement on Frequency Regulation

The Danish grid requirement for frequency regulation is shown in Figure

4.6 [13]. There are two regulation curves: the first one provides only the
downward regulation during over-frequency, while the second has a provision
for both upward and downward regulations. If the wind power plant is
generating the maximum available power, then it can provide only downward
regulation when there is over-frequency. It cannot participate in the upward
regulation required during under-frequency. On the other hand, if it is
generating a de-rated amount of power as given by the set-point value at
downward regulation, it can participate in both the upward and downward
66

regulation. A de-rated operation would imply an undue loss of energy and

revenue by virtue of reduced generation under normal frequency conditions.

Production in % of the production without

Possible value Deadband
100
frequency control

50
Set-point value at
Downward regulation

47 48 49 50 51 52 53
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 4.6. Frequency regulation with and without previous downward regulation (Denmark grid
code [13])

4.2.3 Frequency Regulation through VSC-HVDC Transmission

VSC-HVDC transmission provides an asynchronous connection between

the offshore and the onshore grids. The offshore grid frequency is completely
decoupled from the onshore grid frequency. Therefore, for the participation of
the offshore WPPs in frequency regulation, either the grid frequency has to be
relayed to the offshore grid or the power order to the offshore wind power plant
should be continuosly updated and communicated as per the grid frequency
conditions. As described in [22], there can be three different ways of relaying
or communicating the onshore grid frequency to the offshore wind power plant
(Figure 4.7):

4.2.3.1 Using the dc voltage and offshore grid frequency

The onshore VSC-HVDC reference voltage is changed in proportion to the

onshore grid frequency. If the frequency is increasing the dc voltage reference
is increased. Consequently, the dc voltage at the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal
increases too. The offshore VSC terminal voltage is measured and compensated
for the voltage drop across the HVDC line impedance to estimate the nominal
dc voltage. A deviation in the estimated dc voltage from the nominal is used to
 67

modify the frequency reference for the offshore grid. Therefore, if there is an
increase in the onshore grid frequency, the dc voltage is raised and eventually
the offshore grid frequency is raised. The grid converters in the WTGs sense
the frequency increase, and therefore, decrease their generation as per the pre-
set droop characteristics. This is shown in Figure 4.7(a).

f*ac V*dc
P* fg2
LFC-1 PLL
LFC-2
WPPC
(1+k2DVdc)f*ac (1+k1Df)V*dc
Vdc
fWTG Vgrid
(1-k3Df)P* VSCC#1 VSCC#1
PLL
6 FP

Filters
Filters

(a) No Communication used

f*ac
P* fg2
LFC-1 Delay, Td PLL

WPPC
(1+k2DVdc)f*ac V*dc
fWTG Vgrid
VSCC#1 VSCC#1
(1-k3Df)P* PLL
6 FP

Filters
Filters

(b) Communication of onshore grid frequency to the offshore VSC-terminal

P*

Delay, Td
fg2 PLL
WPPC

f*ac V*dc
Vgrid
VSCC#1 VSCC#1
(1-k3Df)P*
6 FP
Filters
Filters

(c) Communication of onshore grid frequency to the WTGs

Figure 4.7. Frequency regulation by WPP through VSC-HVDC connection.

68

1.005
Fgrid2 wn2
1

0.995
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1.06
Vcc1est
1.03

1
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1.005
FRMF wn1
1

0.995
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1.02
PMF
1
0.98
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
0.85
Ps1 Psg
0.8

0.75
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Time (s)

Figure 4.8. Frequency regulation through VSC-HVDC using the dc voltage and offshore
frequency for relaying – change of dc voltage, offshore frequency and the power flows.

Figure 4.8 and Figure 4.9. show the simulation results for this case. A
frequency change was simulated by introducing the step changes in the
frequency (Fgrid2) voltage source model for the onshore grid. The onshore
grid PLL measured the grid frequency (wn2). It was used to change the dc
reference voltage of the onshore VSC-terminal using a multiplication factor
(DCVMF). Consequently the HVDC voltage on the onshore terminal changed
(Vdc2). The offshore HVDC terminal voltage (Vdc1) changed as well. It was
compared with the nominal offshore voltage estimated (Vdc1est) for the
measured load current and the offshore frequency (wn1) was changed. The
WTG-FSC then changed the power reference to the WTG-FSC as per the pre-
set droop and frequency regulation was achieved.

The power generated, (Ps1) and hence injected (Psg) to the grid, changes
are shown in the Figure 4.8. It is represented by the curve FRC1 in Figure 4.10.
 69

1.005
Fgrid2 wn2

0.995
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1.02 DCVMF

0.98

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1.05

Vdc2 Vdc1
0.95
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1.06
Vdc1est
1.04

1.02

1
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Time (s)

Figure 4.9. Frequency regulation through VSC-HVDC using the dc voltage and offshore
frequency for relaying – change of dc voltage, and estimation of the voltage change.

4.2.3.2 Communicating the onshore grid frequency to the offshore

grid VSC-terminal and then varying the offshore grid
frequency

The onshore grid frequency is directly communicated to the offshore grid

VSC-converter using communication channels. The offshore VSC-HVDC
changes the offshore grid frequency such that the onshore grid frequency is
replicated. The advantage is that the dc voltage need not be changed in this
method.

In the simulation study, a filter with 100 ms time constant was used at the
onshore frequency measurement. It was assumed to account for both the
filtering delay and the communication delay. The resultant power flow for
frequency regulation is shown by the curve FRC2 in Figure 4.10. .
70 0.995
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

0.8
FRC1
FRC2
0.79 FRC3

0.78

0.77

0.76
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Figure 4.10. Comparison of the power flow change as a result of frequency regulation using the
three methods.

4.2.3.3 Communicating the onshore grid frequency to the offshore

WPP

If reliable communication is available, this is the most suitable method as

the only delay is due to communication delay. No disturbance in the HVDC
voltage or the onshore grid frequency is introduced as such. The power curve
FRC3 shows this kind of regulation with an assumed time delay of 100 ms
which is modelled here as a first order transfer function.

Since frequency control involves relatively slow variation of power and the
full response has to be achieved in a period of 30s, all three methods are
equally suitable.

4.3 Fault Ride Through Using VSC-HVDC Transmission

When there is a fault on the onshore ac grid, the ac grid voltage at the point
of common coupling (PCC) dips, thereby reducing the power transfer
capability from the onshore VSC-HVDC terminal. Power flow to the VSC-
HVDC can be rapidly controlled by the other terminal when it is connected to
two strong power system grids. However, when it is connected to a wind power
plant, it is not so convenient. The rating of the VSC-HVDC is almost the same
as that of the wind power plant rating. Since the WPP power generation cannot
be brought down instantaneously, the excess power gets accumulated in the
VSC-HVDC system capacitance, thereby, leading to over-voltage in the dc
system.
 71

4.3.1 E.ON Grid Code for Fault Ride Through

According to the E.ON Netz Grid Code [11], large generating stations of
sizes 100 MW or larger must stay connected and provide voltage support to the
grid in the event of nearby faults for a period of up to 150 ms as shown in
Figure 4.11. The generating unit must remain connected as long as the
operating point (voltage and duration) remains above the limit Line 2. A
conditional disconnection is allowed if it the operating point lies between Line
1 and Line 2. Further the generating plant should be capable of providing
voltage support during grid disturbances.

Limit Line 1
Highest value of thethree L-L grid

Limit Line 2

100%
voltages

70%

45%

15%

0 150 700 1500 3000

Time in ms
Time when fault
occurs

Figure 4.11. Fault Ride Through (FRT) requirement of E.ON Netz Grid Code [11].

A reactive current of the order of 2 pu per pu voltage drop should be

injected when the voltage drops below the ±10% dead-band [11] and absorbed
at the same slope for voltage rises as shown in Figure 4.12.. As per the grid
codes for the offshore generation plants [12], the dead-band is ±5% at the point
of common connection which is considered the offshore point. In this project,
the VSC-HVDC is a dedicated transmission for the wind power plant, and the
point of common coupling is assumed to be at the onshore inverter station.
72

Reqd. Additional
reactive current
D IB/I n

Dead band
Slope ≥ 2.0 pu

-50% -10% 10% 20%

Voltage Drop/rise
D U/Un

-100%

Figure 4.12. Reactive current injection requirement for voltage support during grid disturbances.

4.3.2 Chopper Resistor for Fault Ride Through

Chopper controlled resistor is used to dissipate the excess power, and thus
limit DC voltage rise within safe levels; while the WTGs are signaled to reduce
their generation as quickly as possible [46]. It is installed in HVDC Nord E.ON
1 (now referred to as BorWin 1) to prevent dc over-voltages by temporarily
dissipating the excess power [55]. In variable frequency drives, it is referred to
as braking resistor and is used to dissipate the braking energy [56]. A similar
arrangement is provided in the WTG-FSC to limit the dc link over-voltages
[57]. In this section the performance of the chopper resistor in the FSC is
evaluated for controlling the HVDC system over-voltage during low voltage
faults in the onshore grid.

Mathematically, the power transferred between the converter terminals and

the PCC bus is given by the power transfer relationship

( ) (4.1)

where, is the power transferred from the converter to the grid and is the
reactance between the converter and the grid. and indicate the voltage and
the voltage phase angle at the converter and the grid terminals, which are
 73

identified by the subscripts c and g respectively. According to (4.1), the power

transferred from the converter to the grid will decrease to zero as the grid
voltage magnitude dips to zero due to the fault in the onshore grid. If Pwpp is the
wind power plant production being injected to the VSC-HVDC transmission,
and Ceq is the equivalent capacitance of the dc lines and the capacitors in the
VSC-HVDC system, the dc voltage rise will be given by,

√ ∫( ) (4.2)

The dc overvoltage can be avoided if the surplus power, i.e. ( )

can be dissipated by a chopper controlled resistor in the HVDC system. If we
assume that the steady overvoltage in the dc system has to be restricted to 10%
of the nominal value, the value of the chopper resistor is given by,

( )
(4.3)

The operation of chopper controlled resistor is similar in the case of the full
scale converters of the WTGs and the VSC-HVDC. Hence the equations (4.2) –
(4.4) are applicable to all of them, with their respective ratings and limits.

Since every WTG-FSC is equipped with a chopper controlled resistor for

dissipation of excess power, the chopper controlled resistor in the VSC-HVDC
system can be eliminated by controlling the power injected onto the VSC-
HVDC system. Ref. [58] mentions three approaches of fast power reduction for
fault ride through. Fault conditions can be relayed to the offshore grid by the
variation of the offshore grid frequency and reduction of offshore grid voltage.
Both of these can be combined together to increase the efficacy.
Communicating the fault to the WTG is given a low ranking in this paper as the
perceived communication delay is of the order of 10–100 ms.

4.3.3 FRT Using Fast Communication

A simulation study was carried out on the test system to observe the
overvoltage during a severe fault in the onshore grid. The onshore grid voltage
drop to 0.01 pu was simulated. Due to the transformer impedance between the
74

fault point and the filter bus and the reactive current injection from the VSC-
HVDC, the filter bus voltage showed a higher residual value.

The rms voltage profile at the VSC-HVDC terminal filter bus is shown in
Figure 4.13(a).

1
AC voltage (pu)

AC voltage at onshore VSC-HVDC filter terminal

0.5

0
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
(a)
2
HVDC voltage (pu)

1.5
DC voltage at onshore VSC-HVDC terminal
1

0.5
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
1
To offshore VSC-HVDC
Power-flow (pu)

To onshore grid
0.5

0
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
(b)

Figure 4.13. FRT using fast communication to block the WTG-FSCs during the fault in the
onshore grid. (a) AC voltage at the HVDC filter bus; (b) DC voltage rise and power flow during
the fault.

Because of the fault, there was a rapid increase in the dc voltage. The dc
overvoltage was detected and a power ramp down command was
communicated to the WTG-GSCs. A discrete delay of 8 ms was assumed for
communication delay in this study. Therefore, the power injection from the
offshore grid could not be stopped immediately, but only after the
communication delay, as shown in Figure 4.13 (b). As a result of this, the peak
transient dc voltage was 1.51 pu. When the communication time delay was
increased to 10 ms, the overvoltage was 1.55 pu.

From these observations, it is obvious that this method is highly sensitive

to the speed of communication between the VSC-HVDC and the WTG-GSCs.
 75

4.3.4 FRT Using Frequency Increase and Voltage Reduction

Apart from the FRT using fast communication, two additional methods
have been described in literature. In one of them, the offshore grid frequency is
raised fast and the power reduction by the WTGs depend upon their controls
similar to the droop control to reduce the power output as the terminal
frequency increases. The WTGs have to sense the frequency rise, and
accordingly, ramp down the power reference to the WTG-GSCs. Thus, this
depends very much upon the times taken by the PLLs in the WTG-GSCs to
note the changed frequency, and then the time taken by the WTG-GSC
controllers to reduce the output power. The WTG-GSC is assumed to be
capable of fast power reduction, by virtue of chopper resistors on their dc link.
In the long term, the turbine operating point is changed to reduce the
generation.

As shown in Figure 4.14, there was a large over-voltage of 1.86 pu during

the fault ride through using the offshore grid frequency increase. Moreover, the
over voltage was persistent as there was no other means to evacuate the power
and thus decrease the dc voltage unless the onshore grid was restored. Even the
recovery of the offshore wind power generation was found to be slow.

2
HVDC voltage (pu)

1.5
DC voltage at onshore VSC-HVDC terminal
1

0.5
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
1
To offshore VSC-HVDC
Power-flow (pu)

To onshore grid
0.5

0
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

Figure 4.14. FRT of WPP with VSC-HVDC connection using offshore grid frequency increase.
76

In the other method, the offshore grid voltage is ramped down fast such
that the power-flow in the offshore grid is impaired and the WTG-FSCs cannot
inject power into the offshore grid.

In the simulation for this case, the offshore grid voltage was rapidly
ramped down when the offshore VSC recorded the voltage rise. Power-flow to
the HVDC terminal decreased rapidly and the maximum dc over-voltage was
limited to be 1.26 pu as shown in Figure 4.15. Even the power recovery after
the onshore grid voltage recovered was fast in comparison to the previous two
cases.

1.5
DC voltage at onshore VSC-HVDC terminal
1

0.5
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
1
To offshore VSC-HVDC
To onshore grid
0.5

0
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

Figure 4.15. FRT of WPP with VSC-HVDC connection using offshore grid voltage reduction.

4.4 Discussion

Elimination of the chopper controlled resistors was proposed as the dc

over-voltage could be limited using the fault ride through techniques. However,
large transient over-voltages may appear during the onshore grid faults. The
severity of such transients depends on both the extent of the voltage dips as
well as the adopted control method. Based on the simulations results, the rapid
reduction of voltage gives the minimum overvoltage. In this case, the low
voltage conditions of the onshore grid is replicated in the offshore grid, and
then the power flow to the HVDC system gets reduced in a way similar to the
reduced power evacuation to the onshore grid. The WTG-GSCs do not need
depend upon the PLL dynamics, like in the case when frequency rise is used for
FRT.
 77

In all these cases, it was presumed that the WTG-FSC had some means,
like the chopper resistors or energy storage, which could absorb the excess
energy that could not get evacuated by the WTG-GSC.

4.5 Summary

This chapter described the different operating modes of the WPP with
VSC-HVDC connection under normal conditions. Later the control modes for
providing frequency regulation support to the grid and the fault ride through
during low voltage faults in the grid are demonstrated.

Enabling frequency control through the VSC-HVDC link was

demonstrated using the three methods described in literature. Since frequency
regulation is a slow phenomenon acting over a period of 30s, all three methods
were found to be equally acceptable .

For fault ride through conditions, rapid reduction of voltage is found to be

the best method to limit the dc link overvoltage transient. It was demonstrated
that the rapid voltage reduction method could limit the dc overvoltage to 1.26
pu even for the severe faults in the onshore grid. This method of FRT could be
used, and the chopper resistors can be eliminated completely.

***
 79

5 Protection System for Offshore WPP Grid with VSC-

HVDC Connection

This chapter analyses faults in the offshore collector system grid. First a
simple numerical method is proposed to get approximate values of the fault
current levels under different operating conditions. Then the EMT simulation is
run to ascertain the actual fault currents and test the coordination of the over-
current relays at the strategic locations in the collector system.

5.1 Introduction

Commercial wind turbine generators are of few MW unit size. Therefore, a

wind power plant of a few hundred MW capacity deploys a few hundred wind
turbine generators (WTG). Large offshore wind power plants (WPP) are spread
over a large area (e.g. 35 sq. km for the 300 MW Thanet Offshore Wind Farm
in the UK [59]). Since offshore maintenance work is expensive and time
consuming [27]; the protection system should be secure and reliable. Any fault
in the collector system will adversely affect power generation of the whole
WPP. Therefore, fault detection and isolation of the faulted sections is very
important in order to facilitate the operation of the healthy sections of the
offshore WPP.

Protection of a radial feeder is a well-understood topic. In a conventional

radial feeder network, the coordination of over-current relays is conducted with
the knowledge of the short circuit current contribution from the rotating
machines. However, the offshore wind power plant collection grid is different
as rotating machines are connected to the grid through full-scale power
electronic converter interfaces. Such converters have limited short-circuit
current capability [60] in the range of 1.1 to 1.5 pu. Moreover, they tend to
generate more harmonic components during faults and transients. Coordination
of over-current relays in such a radial collector system needs to be studied and
validated. Further, since an offshore grid is composed of a large number of
closely laid short cable sections, conventional distance protection logic is not
applicable.

Most of the studies on WPP protection are focused on their response to grid
disturbances and low voltage fault ride through requirements imposed by the
80

grid operators [15], [60]–[62]. Several other studies address the impact of
distributed generation on the protection and relay coordination in the
distribution system [63], [64]. Reference [65] describes a protection scheme
using IEC-61850 process bus communication for the adaptive setting and
coordination of protective devices in smart grids with inverter connected
distributed power generation. An integrated protection and control system for
wind farms is presented in [66] using the IEC-61850 communication and a
centralized relaying unit with parallel-processing ability.

Apart from the limited short circuit current capability of the inverters, their
dependence upon the controller, PLL, and terminal voltage for synchronization
affect their response to short circuit faults. If the converter current exceeds
permissible limits the converter switching gate pulses are momentarily blocked.
The harmonic levels in the terminal voltage and current waveforms increase
due to the transients and disturbances as well as the non-linear response from
the converters.

This chapter presents a simplified approach for the estimation of fault

currents, and then a coordination strategy for the protection scheme using over
current relays has been proposed. It is verified through electromagnetic
transient (EMT) simulation. In Chapter 7, an experimental verification using a
physical relay in a real time simulation with RTDS is presented.

5.2 Overcurrent Relay

Over-current relays with very inverse time characteristics can be coordinated

to detect and discriminate faults in the cable feeders connected to the collector
bus of the offshore WPP. Since several WTGs are connected to a common
cable feeder, they may be provided with a common circuit breaker, as in the
Horns Rev I layout [67].

When there is a short circuit fault in a feeder, the over-current relay should
trip the circuit breaker and isolate the faulted section. The following points are
particularly helpful in the relay coordination procedure:

I. Each WTG-GSC is protected by its own current limit controller.

II. The VSC-HVDC (VSC1 in Figure 3.1) is the largest converter in the
wind power plant grid in terms of absolute ratings Therefore; it has the
maximum contribution to the fault currents; though other WTG-GSC’s
also contribute to the fault current.
 81

III. All the power electronic converters are capable of limiting their
current output to their over-current limits, which is assumed here to be
1.10 pu for the WTG-GSC’s and 1.15 for the VSC-HVDC converter.

Relay co-ordination studies are done to set the pick-up current (Ipick-up) and
time dial setting such that proper discrimination is attained for the different
types and strengths of faults. As per, IEEE Std. C37-112 [68], the over-current
relay trip time, t(I), for the relay current transformer (CT) current ‘I’ is given
by (5.1),

( ) ( )
(5.1)
( )

where, for very inverse characteristics and

Ipick-up is the relay pick up current setting. The characteristic curve is shown in
Figure 5.1. The trip time given by (5.1) can be modified by the time dial setting
to obtain the actual trip time of the relay.

4
3.5
Pick-up Current Ratio (M)

3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Relay Pick-up Time (s)

Figure 5.1. Very inverse characteristics of the over-current relay (IEEE Std. C37-112) [69].

In a conventional relay coordination study, the pick-up current is set-up on

the basis of short circuit analyses. High short circuit currents are observed in
conventional power systems and the relays are coordinated with other relays
such that they trip for the faults in their own zone. The trip time is adjusted by
using their time multiplier settings.
82

5.3 Approximate Calculation for the Fault Currents

The following assumptions are made in the calculation of fault currents:

1. The grid side converter of WTG-FSC tends to act as current source, to

evacuate the generated power. The WTG with their converters are treated
as current sources, operating at their maximum current limits [69].
2. The VSC-HVDC behaves as a current source when the fault current tends
to exceed the maximum current limit.
3. Shunt capacitances of the filters and the cables are neglected.
4. Pre-fault load conditions have been ignored.
5. All the current sources are assumed to be in phase, thereby giving the
worst case results as the fault currents get added up.
6. Symmetrical and steady state fault conditions have been assumed.

With these assumptions, the equivalent positive sequence circuit of the

offshore collector grid is shown in Figure 5.2. Fault currents are computed for
the three-phase short-circuit faults at locations FA and FB for six different
cases as follows:

C1. ALL WTG feeders are operational.

C2. WTG feeder #1 (or #2) is switched off.
C3. WTG feeder #3 is switched off.
C4. WTG feeders # 1 and 2 are switched off
C5. WTG feeders # 1 and 3 are switched off
C6. WTG feeders # 1, 2 and 3 are switched off.

The results for these six cases are summarized in Table 5.1 and Figure 5.3.
Fault currents are given in per unit values with the base current defined
corresponding to the MVAs of their respective sections, as shown in Figure
5.2. Therefore, 1-pu current in the converter transformer section will be
equivalent to 2-pu current in the high voltage (HV) feeder section and 4-pu
current in the medium voltage (MV) feeder section. Consequently, the per unit
fault current appears to be higher for the faults in the MV feeder, compared to
those for the faults in the HV feeder.
 83

36kV, 112.5MVA 150kV, 225MVA 150kV, 170kV,

WTG filter, transformer and cable Iw1 450MVA 450MVA
Iw12
R
Circuit Breaker
WTG#1 R Relay with CT
R
Iw2
R
WTG#2 3 wdg. Iconv
150 kV (HV) Phase
transformer
Reactor
Cable
Iw3

Transformer
Conv.
R IHVCT
WTG#3
R VSC_HVDC
Iw4 IMVCT FB
R
FA
WTG#4

Figure 5.2. Equivalent positive sequence schematic of the offshore WPP.

Table 5.1. Fault Current and its components through different sources and CTs.

Case-I Case-II Case-III Case-IV Case-V Case-VI

Sources
I_HVDC 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15
Iwtg #1 1.10 1.10 1.10 x x x
Iwtg #2 1.10 x 1.10 x 1.10 x
Iwtg #3 1.10 1.10 x 1.10 x x
Iwtg #4 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10
Fault at FA
Fault current 9.00 7.90 7.90 6.80 6.80 5.70
HV_CT 3.40 2.85 3.40 2.30 2.85 2.30
MV_CT 7.90 6.80 6.80 5.70 5.70 4.60
Fault at FB
Fault current 4.50 3.95 3.95 3.40 3.40 2.85
HV_CT 3.40 2.85 3.40 2.30 2.85 2.30
MV_CT 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.15

It gives a preliminary estimate of the fault current levels that may be

expected in an offshore grid with power electronic converters on all terminals.
Further, it highlights that the faults on the MV WTG feeders can be easily
detected by conventional over-current relays. The output of the MV WTG
feeder CTs are higher than 4 pu when the fault is on the MV feeder; whereas it
is limited 1.1 pu when the fault is on the HV cable feeder.
84

Fault Currents for fault at FA (in pu)

10
Fault
8 MV CT
HV CT
6

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Fault Currents for fault at FB (in pu)

5

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Figure 5.3. Estimated fault and CT currents for the short-circuit faults at FA and FB.

Theoretically, the HV feeder will carry the same fault currents for both the
fault locations. Though the fault currents are more than twice the nominal
currents, there is no discrimination between the three-phase faults on the MV
feeder and those on the HV feeder. Therefore, additional information like the
pick-up of the MV feeder relay might be used to block the tripping of HV
feeder relay for the faults detected on the MV feeder. In absence of such
information, time grading of the HV and MV feeder relays might be used. The
HV feeder might be set with higher time multiplier setting such that it trips in a
longer duration, with a margin long enough to ensure that the MV feeder relay
would have tripped its circuit breaker and the fault would have been isolated if
it were on the MV feeder. However, it would be a slow relay for the faults on
the HV feeder.

In the fault simulation studies for the relay coordination, the over-current
relay pick-up current was heuristically set at 1.25-pu levels for both the MV
and HV feeder sections .The trip time was multiplied by 50 ms.
 85

5.4 Simulation Studies and Observations

The system layout described in Chapter 3 was modelled and simulated

using the electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation software PSCAD.
Simulation studies were carried out for all the six cases listed in the previous
section, and for the different types of faults listed below:

I. Single line to ground (SLG),

II. Double line to ground (LLG),
III. Triple line to ground (LLLG),
IV. Line-to-line (LL), and
V. Triple Line (LLL)

Out of these, the triple line to ground (LLLG) fault and triple line (LLL)
fault are the symmetrical faults. They would be identical in the cases where the
zero sequence components are completely absent.

The studies were carried out with fault resistance of 0.01 pu (1%) and 0.20
pu (20%). The faults were separately applied at the points FA on the MV feeder
for WTG #4, and at the point FB on the HV feeder #2. Since the objective was
to demonstrate the relay performance, breaker tripping operation was not
simulated.

5.4.1 Single Line to Ground Fault on a MV Feeder

A single line to ground (SLG) fault was applied for 150 ms at FA on the
MV feeder. The fault current waveforms along with the pick-up and trip of the
relays are shown in Figure 5.4. The MV relay picked up (i.e. its internal output
is greater than 0.95) at 4ms, and the HV feeder relay picked up at 27ms. In the
simulated period of 150 ms, it reached a maximum of 0.308. This implied that
it would have tripped in 487 ms, if the fault had been persistent.

The peak fault current was 11.59 pu, while the MV feeder relay observed a
peak fault current of 10.55 pu. However, Fourier analysis shows that the
fundamental component was only 8.77 pu for the fault current, and 7.93 pu for
the current through the MV feeder relay CT. The peak fault current in the HV
feeder relay was 3.61 pu, and its fundamental component was 2.39 pu.
86

A comparison of these fault current with the estimated values is given in

Table 5.2. The low value of fundamental component indicates the high
harmonic content in the current waveforms.

10
I_fault (pu)

-10
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
10
I_MV (pu)

-10
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
4
2
I_HV (pu)

0
-2
-4
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
1.5
MVR_trip
1
OC Relay

MVR_pk_up
0.5 HVR_pk_up
0
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
Time (s)
Figure 5.4. Fault current and relay trip signal corresponding to a SLG fault at FA for 150 ms.

Table 5.2. Comparison of estimated* and simulated fault currents for LLLG Faults

Base SLG Fault, Simulated LLLG Fault, Simulated

Estimated
Fault Current (kA, peak (pu) peak (pu)
(pu)
rms) total fundamental total fundamental
(SLG Fault Total 1.80 9.0 11.59 8.77 8.4 2.56
at FA on
MV CT#4 1.80 6.8 10.55 7.93 6.8 2.41
MV
Feeder) HV CT#2 0.87 2.85 3.61 2.39 3.3 1.36

(Fault at Total 0.87 4.5 8.6 2.14 7.1 1.80

FB on HV MV CT#4 1.80 1.1 2.1 0.52 1.9 0.11
Feeder)
HV CT#2 0.87 3.4 7.5 1.87 6.2 1.71
*
The fault currents were estimated for a symmetric (LLL) fault.

Figure 5.5 shows the HVDC voltage and power oscillations during the SLG
fault. The peak voltage is recorded at 1.49 pu, and the minimum power at 0.37
pu during the fault. The power outputs from the four WTGs are shown as well.
Even though the fault is on the feeder containing WTG #4, all other WTGs get
adversely affected. The system recovered only after the fault had been cleared.
 87

1.5

Vdc2 (pu)
1.2
1
0.8
0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
0.8
Phvdc

0.6
0.4
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
P_wtg (pu)

1
0.8

3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3

Time (s)

Figure 5.5. HVDC voltage, power and WTG power generation during the SLG fault at FA.

5.4.2 Triple Line to Ground Fault on a MV Feeder

The fault current and the current through the MV feeder CT for a three-
phase to ground fault at FA on the MV feeder #4 are shown in Figure 5.6.

The LLLG fault was applied for 300 ms. The peak fault current was 8.4 pu,
while the MV feeder relay observed a peak fault current of 6.8 pu. The peak
fault current in the HV feeder relay was 3.3 pu as shown in Figure 5.7. The
maximum dc overvoltage was recorded at 1.22 pu, which is much lower than
1.48 pu in the case of SLG fault. The power flow however dropped down to 0.
Even the WTG power generation recovery was found to be slower than that in
the case of the SLG fault described earlier.

In spite of the high peak currents, the fundamental components were

significantly low as shown in Table 5.2. The fundamental component of the
fault current was 2.56 pu and the current through the MV feeder relay CT was
2.41 pu. The MV relay picked up (i.e. its internal output was greater than 0.05
units) after 6 ms, and it tripped after 278 ms. The pick-up of HV feeder relay
would have taken a very long time (estimated to be 2.8s) to trip.
88

(i) Fault Currents (in p.u.) (ii) Current through MV CT (in pu)
10 10
Ph. A Ph. A
5 5
0 0
-5 -5
-10 -10
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3
10 10
Ph. B Ph. B
5 5
0 0
-5 -5
-10 -10
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3
10 10
Ph. C Ph. C
5 5
0 0
-5 -5
-10 -10 4.
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2
3
Time(s) Time(s)

Figure 5.6. LLLG fault at FA. (i) Fault currents; (ii) Fault current through the MV CT.

(i) Current through HV CT (in pu) (ii) Voltage and Power (in pu)
4 1.4
Ph. A (a) Vdc2
2 1.2

0 1

-2 0.8

-4
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4
4 1
Ph. B
(b) Phvdc
2
0.5
0
0
-2

-4 -0.5
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4
4 1.5
Ph. C (c) Pwtg
2 1

0 0.5

-2 0

-4 -0.5
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4
Time(s) Time(s)

Figure 5.7. LLLG fault at FA. (i) Fault currents through the HV CT; (ii) HVDC voltage; power
and WTG power generation curves.
 89

5.4.3 SLG and LLLG Faults on a HV Feeder

The fault and CT current waveforms during the SLG fault and the LLLG
fault separately applied at FB on the HV feeder #2 are shown in Figure 5.8.
Their peak amplitudes during the fault and the corresponding fundamental
component values have been compiled in Table 5.2.

Even though the peak amplitudes of the fault current were of the order of
8.6 pu for the SLG fault and 7.1 pu the for the LLLG fault, the low
fundamental component content implied the high amount of harmonic
components, which was also obvious from the waveforms in Figure 5.8. The
low fundamental component affected the fault detection and the relay trip times
were observed as 273 ms, and 343 ms after the fault incidence for the SLG and
LLLG faults respectively.

Single Line to Ground Fault, at FB Triple Line to Ground Fault, at FB

8
5
I_fault (pu)

I_fault (pu)

4
0 0
-5 -4
-8
4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08 4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08
2 2
I_MV (pu)

I_MV (pu)

0 0

-2 -2
4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08 4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08
5
5
I_HV (pu)

I_HV (pu)

0 0
-5
-5
4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08 4 4.02 4.04 4.06 4.08
Time (s) Time (s)

Figure 5.8. Fault and CT current waveforms for the SLG and LLLG faults at FB. Only Phase A
waveform is shown for the LLLG fault.

5.4.4 Relay Tripping for Different Types of Faults

All different types of faults at FA and FB were simulated for the different
cases. The trip time response of the relays were recorded and plotted as shown
in Figure 5.9 for the fault resistance of 1% (i.e. 0.01 pu) and in Figure 5.10 for
the fault resistance of 20% (i.e. 0.20 pu). In both the cases, the SLG faults,
which are the most common faults in the power system, got detected fastest of
all. The timings for the different faults are tabulated in Tables 5.3 and 5.4.
90

Fault at FA (Rf =1%)

300

250

Relay Trip Time (ms)

200 Case - 1
Case - 2
150
Case - 3
100 Case - 4

50 Case - 5
Case - 6
0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Type of Fault

Fault at FB (Rf =1%)

450
400
350
Relay Trip Time (ms)

300 Case - 1
250 Case - 2
200 Case - 3
150 Case - 4
100
Case - 5
50
Case - 6
0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Type of Fault

Figure 5.9. Relay trip times for the different faults at FA and FB in different cases when the fault
resistance was 1%.

Fault at FA (Rf =20%)

400
350
Relay Trip Time (ms)

300
Case - 1
250
Case - 2
200
Case - 3
150
Case - 4
100
Case - 5
50
Case - 6
0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Type of Fault

Fault at FB (Rf = 20%)

900
800
700
Relay Trip Time (ms)

600 Case - 1
500 Case - 2
400 Case - 3
300 Case - 4
200
Case - 5
100
Case - 6
0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Type of Fault

Figure 5.10. Relay trip times for the different faults at FA and FB in different cases when the
fault resistance was 20%.
 91

Table 5.3 Over-current relay trip time (in ms) for different faults in different cases with 1% fault
resistance.
Fault Relay Case #1 Case #2 Case #3 Case #4 Case #5 Case #6
MV 46 45 47 46 46 58
SLG
HV 174 160 150 160 147 140
MV 72 91 86 63 71 62
LLG
HV 192 226 202 198 212 205
MV 278 236 228 219 247 196
LLLG
HV 328 360 313 382 365 394
MV 135 135 125 133 126 134
LL
HV 363 361 314 308 299 354
MV 233 236 284 215 257 201
LLL
HV 325 388 322 410 374 388
HV Relay Over-reach (Times greater than 500 ms are projected values)
SLG HVx 467 386 648 397 739 1134
LL HVx 486 1250 367 663 666 759

Table 5.4 Over-current relay trip time (in ms) for different faults in different cases with 20%
fault resistance.
Fault Relay Case #1 Case #2 Case #3 Case #4 Case #5 Case #6
MV 53 222 225 215 218 217
SLG
HV 273 273 211 283 214 242
MV 71 154 157 163 165 196
LLG
HV 231 295 220 501 321 458
MV 185 281 297 335 364 375
LLLG
HV 343 372 252 809 561 824
MV 136 146 153 137 142 144
LL
HV 479 494 468 452 469 557
MV 236 159 294 149 150 207
LLL
HV 418 554 456 674 559 594
HV Relay Over-reach (Times greater than 500 ms are projected values)
SLG HVx 467 x x x x x
LL HVx 486 1022 712 929 704 728

Table 5.5 Mean trip time of the over-current relay (in ms) and the corresponding standard
deviation as a percentage of mean for the different faults in different cases.
Fault at FA, Rf=1% Fault at FB, Rf=1% Fault at FA, Rf=20% Fault at FB, Rf=20%
Mean
Std Dev. Mean Std Dev. Mean Std Dev. Mean Std Dev.
(ms)
SLG 48 9% 155 7% 192 32% 249 12%
LLG 74 15% 206 5% 151 25% 338 32%
LLLG 234 11% 357 8% 306 21% 527 43%
LL 131 3% 333 8% 143 4% 486 7%
LLL 238 11% 368 9% 199 27% 543 16%
92

Table 5.5 shows the mean and the standard deviation of the trip times for
the faults in different cases. The low standard deviation indicates that the relay
trip times do not vary much in the different cases. Moreover, the trip times are
longer in the symmetrical fault cases due to low magnitude of the fundamental
component as was observed in the previous cases.

5.4.5 Over-reach of the HV Feeder Relay

Table 5.3 and 5.4 reveal some of the cases when the HV feeder relay
tripped unduely. SLG and LL faults are listed here, as these two faults had a
strong influence on the HV feeder relay getting excited. When the fault
resistance was 0.01 pu, the HV feeder relay tripped within 367 ms for an LL
fault in case #3. Though the the over-reach tendency of the HV feeder relay
was reduced when the fault resistance was 0.2 pu, it picked up within 467 ms
for an SLG fault in case #1.

The tabulated results show the HV feeder relay trip times for the cases
when they were tripping within the fault simulation time of 500 ms. For other
cases, the internal output of the relay has been projected to estimate the
probable trip time of the relay if the fault had been persistent.

Such over-reach of the HV feeder relay can be avoided by changing the

relay pick-up current settings or time multiplier settings. However, the relay
characteristic will change for all the fault instances. Its speed and sensitivity
will decrease if the pick-up current level is increased. If the pick-up current
setting is raised, the relay will lose sensitivity to high fault impedance faults, as
well as the trip will be delayed for all other faults.

The relay may also be made slower by increasing the time multiplier
setting. However, such changes will increase the relay trip time for all the fault
cases.

Since modern communication relays are equipped with communication

capabilities, the pick-up signal from the relays on the MV feeder can be relayed
to block the HV feeder relay, at least for a period of time taken by the MV
feeder relay and the circuit breaker to operate. Thus, the latter would be
delayed from undue tripping for the faults on the MV feeder which is outside
its main zone of protection.
 93

5.5 Discussion and Conclusions

The algebraic addition of the current contribution from all the converters
gave an approximate estimate of the fault current levels. Table 5.2 compares
the estimated and simulated results. There were significant differences between
them. Moreover, the fundamental components of the fault currents were
significantly lower than their peak components, due to the presence of
harmonics. For instance, in the case of an SLG fault at FA, the fundamental
components were approximately matching the estimated values, with a
maximum error of 17%. The maximum instantaneous values were following
the trend, but they were on the higher side by an error of up to 55%.

On the other hand, for the symmetrical LLLG fault case, the maximum
instantaneous values were matching with the maximum error being 16%. The
fundamental component was much lower as the error varied in the range of 52-
72%. Further analysis revealed that the fundamental component of the current
from the VSC-HVDC converter was in the range of 0.58 to 0.69 pu against the
1.15 pu as assumed in the simplified calculations. This error itself would
introduce an error of about 1 pu in the HV feeder CT and 2 pu in the MV
feeder CT as the current bases change.

The comparison was worse for the faults on at FB the HV feeder. On one
one hand, the maximum instantaneous peak values of the fault currents were
higher by 91-121% for the SLG fault, and by 58-82% for the LLLG fault. On
the other hand the maximum fundamental components were lower by 45-53%
for the SLG faults. For the LLLG fault at FB, the fundamental component of
the fault current and the HV feeder CT current were lower by 60% and 50%
respectively, while that of the MV feeder CT was lower by 90%. Moreover, in
this case, the fundamental component was very low at only 0.11 pu while the
peak was on the higher side at 1.9 pu against the estimated value of 1.1 pu for
the MV feeder CT

Such observations indicate the highly non-linear behaviour of the

converters in the converter connected grid. The non-linearity resulted from the
current limit controls in the VSC-HVDC converters and the saturation of the
converters in the WTG-GSC models. Further, the presence of huge amount of
capacitance and the inductors at the VSC filters would also aggreviate the
94

situation. The harmonic analysis of the currents during the fault and the role of
the VSCs as well as other components were not investigated further.

The results were, thus, very much different from those of the synchronous
machines. The latter are typically characterized by the sub-transient and
transient time constants, which indicate their response to short circuit
conditions. Simulation results, thus, emphasize that conventional fault analysis
techniques would not be applicable as the converter current response was very
different from those of the rotating machines. Therefore, a detailed EMT
simulation analysis with proper representation of the converter PLL and
controller dynamics is necessary for the thorough analysis of fault currents and
relay co-ordination.

5.6 Summary

This chapter investigates the over-current relay coordination in offshore

WPP grid, which is connected to power electronic converters at all the
terminals. A simplified numerical approach to estimate the symmetrical fault
currents by using the current source representation of the WTG-FSC has been
proposed and compared against the results from the EMT simulations. Though
some correlation can be drawn between the two, the large differences warrant
EMT simulation with the detailed model of the power electronic converter
controllers to obtain the actual fault currents under different operating
conditions.

The relay coordination in this study was achieved on the basis of nominal
current levels as the offshore grid had a radial network topology. The relay trip
times were quite long in some cases, which could be improved on the basis of
the EMT simulation results. The low standard deviation of the relay trip times
in different operating cases indicate the critical role of the VSC-HVDC
converter in the relay coordination.

***
 95

6 Negative Sequence Current Controllers

This chapter presents the use of the power electronic converters to control
the injection of negative sequence currents in the offshore grid such that the
power oscillations can be minimized. The WTG-FSCs are controlled to inject a
constant active power using both the current sequences depending upon the
terminal voltage. The VSC-HVDC converters control the negative sequence
currents to minimize the power oscillations in the HVDC system, thereby
minimizing the dc voltage oscillations.

6.1 Introduction

There are plenty of power electronic voltage source converters (VSCs) in a

WPP—right from the FSCs in the WTGs to the VSC-HVDC. The current
control capability of these converters can be utilized to control the negative
sequence current injection in the offshore WPP grid during the unbalanced
operating conditions arising out of asymmetric faults.

Reference [70] presents the control of WTG-GSC during unbalanced grid

conditions. Rotating reference frame has been used for the implementation of
the current controller. This requires two separate controllers. The need for
power reduction during unbalanced grid conditions has been highlighted. Four
different control alternatives for the control of control of grid connected
converters under unbalanced voltage conditions have been described in [71].
In these articles, a three phase voltage source has been considered as the grid
model which produces sinusoidal waveforms even under unbalanced voltage
conditions. The control of the grid side converter (GSC) of a WTG-FSC using
the sequence components of currents is presented in [72], [73].

Analysis and control of VSC-HVDC system connecting two power system

grids was presented in [45], [74]. Negative sequence currents were injected to
achieve the predetermined power flow under the given unbalanced terminal
voltage conditions. Both these methods assumed that the power flow was
known in advance. However, in a VSC-HVDC connection to the wind power
plant, the power level depends upon the prevalent wind conditions, and it is not
precisely known beforehand. Hence, the VSC-HVDC terminal is controlled to
96

maintain the voltage reference like an infinite bus, such that the generated
power can be collected [75].

An offshore grid with WTG-FSC units and VSC-HVDC transmission is

different from the case when at least one terminal is connected to the
conventional grid. Here all the terminals are connected to the VSCs. The VSC-
HVDC converter sets up the reference voltage. During faults and unbalanced
operating conditions, they themselves may go in current limiting mode. Any
injection of the negative sequence current will also affect the offshore grid
voltage profile.

This chapter presents a novel method of estimating the negative sequence

current injections by the VSC-HVDC to eliminate the power oscillations. Prior
information of active power flow is not required in this method. Though the
control approach have been described here with reference to the VSC-HVDC
with two level converters, it is also applicable to the multi-level converters as
their interaction with the grid remains similar as far as current injection control
is concerned [41].

6.2 Negative Sequence Controller for the VSC-HVDC

Extraction of positive and negative sequence components from the three

phase measurements of the voltage has been described in Chapter 3, Section
3.13. The equations (3.11-3.12) give the positive and negative sequence
components of the voltage in the stationary reference frame. These can be
converted to the positive and negative sequence components in the rotating
reference frame as follows,

[ ] [ ][ ]
( ) ( ) (6.1)

[ ] [ ][ ]

( ) ( ) (6.2)

where, is the phase angle of the positive sequence voltage vector

determined by the PLL.
 97

Similarly, the positive and negative sequence current components can be

written as,

( ) ( ) (6.3)
and,
( ) ( ) (6.4)

Then, in terms of the sequence components of the voltage and the current,
the expression for the instantaneous active and reactive power ( )
can be written as,

( )( ) (6.5)

Using (6.1) – (6.4) in (6.5), we get, as described in [73] and [74],

(( ) ( ) ) (( )

( ) )

[( )( ) ( )( )
( )( )
( )( ) ] (6.6)

Thus, under unbalanced operating conditions when both the positive and
negative sequence voltages and currents are present, the expression for the
active power, which is the real part of (6.6), comprises of an average power
, and oscillatory cosine and sine terms ( ) as given below,

( ) ( ) (6.7)

where,
( )

( )

( )
98

Power oscillations can be eliminated if the coefficients of both of the

oscillatory terms and are equated to 0, as follows:

[ ] [ ] [ ] (6.8)
[ ]

Equation (6.8) gives the values of negative sequence current components

( ) in terms of the positive and negative sequence components of the
voltage at the filter bus and the positive sequence component of the current in
the phase reactors of the offshore VSC-HVDC. Thus, the references, (
) for the negative sequence current components can be calculated using
(6.8) and are given by,

[ ] [ ] [ ][ ]

Or,
( ) ( )
[ ] [ ][ ] (6.9)
( ) ( )

Thus, the active and reactive power references are not required in this
formulation. It is an advantage as the offshore VSC-HVDC does not have
information about instantaneous active and reactive power at the point of
common coupling (PCC). This converter is merely controlled to maintain the
positive sequence voltage at the specified nominal value at the PCC, under
normal operating conditions, irrespective of the power-flow levels.

Moreover, it is obvious from (6.9) that the negative sequence current

references are 0 under balanced operating conditions, when there are no
negative sequence voltage components in the offshore grid voltage.

When the negative sequence controllers are enabled, the negative sequence
current references are generated as per (6.9). A separate negative sequence
current control loop is written (in the rotating reference fame) as follows,
 99

( )
(6.10)
∫( )

( )
(6.11)
∫( )

The terms for the voltage drop across phase reactor ( ) are negative
in (6.10)–(6.11) as compared to those in (3.20)–(3.21) for the positive sequence
current control. This is due to the fact that negative angle ( ) is used in the
Park’s transformation and the negative sequence current has apparently
negative frequency. The phase angle ( ) is the one obtained from the positive
sequence PLL.

Separate current controller loops are employed for the positive and
negative sequence current control in the rotating reference frame (dq- axes)
used for the VSC-HVDC converter control as shown in Figure 6.1. The
positive sequence controller is essentially the same as the one in Figure 3.16, as
only positive sequence is being controlled in the normal operating mode. When
the negative sequence controller is enabled, the negative sequence current
references are generated, and they are added to the positive sequence current
references. The positive and negative sequence voltage references for the
converter cannot be added directly as the two reference frames are rotating in
opposite directions. Hence, the two sets of voltage references are converted into
the phase variables by using inverse Park’s transformation and then added
together.

6.3 Negative Sequence Controller for the WTG-GSC

It was described in Chapter 3, Section 3.12 that the WTG-GSC regulates

the dc link voltage of the WTG-FSC. Such a voltage regulation controller gives
a reference active power to be evacuated by the WTG-GSC. The reactive
power reference may be provided by a reactive power controller or
specified externally. In this study, the reactive power is assumed to be 0. For
the evacuation of the active power, under unbalanced operating voltage
conditions the positive and negative sequence current references,
in the -axes are given by [77],
100

Positive sequence voltage controller with inner current control loop

+ d-q
to
+ − + −
- − − − abc
+

d-q
to
+ −
− − abc

Negative sequence current controller

(a)

Vdc1
Rpr, Lpr
VSC1
WPP

(b)
Figure 6.1. Offshore VSC-HVDC controller with negative sequence current (a) Controller block
diagram; (b) Schematic.

( ) (6.12)

( ) (6.13)

where, ( ) ( ) are the positive and negative sequence

components of the voltage measured at the WTG terminals.

The overall current references are given by:

(6.14)
(6.15)

The denominator in (6.12) and (6.13) is the difference between the squared
magnitudes of the positive and negative sequence voltages. During a fault, the
positive sequence voltage tends to decrease while there is significant amount of
negative sequence voltage. Thus, the denominator may be very small; thereby
 101

leading to large amplitudes of the current references. Therefore, it is proposed

that the negative sequence current controller (NSCC) in the WTG-GSC be
disabled when there is a high proportion of negative sequence component in the
WTG terminal voltage. In this study, the NSCC is blocked when the proportion
of the negative sequence voltage component is higher than 70% of the positive
sequence voltage component, and only positive sequence current control is
applied for the evacuation of the active power, . Under such circumstances,
the negative sequence voltage components ( ) are substituted by (0, 0)
in (6.12) and (6.13) and hence only positive sequence current references are
generated. The modified equations are given below:

(6.16)
( )

(6.17)

It should be noted here that (6.16) and (6.17) replace (6.12) and (6.13) only
for the duration while the NSCC is blocked due to high proportion of the
negative sequence components ( ) in the terminal voltage as described
above. With this replacement, (6.14) and (6.15) are used to get the overall
current references.

6.4 Simulation Results

The effect of negative sequence current control strategy was studied

through simulation of faults in the offshore grid. Faults were applied for 150
ms and the performance of the negative sequence controller in reducing the dc
bus voltage overshoot on the HVDC lines was observed. First, single line to
ground (SLG) faults at FA and FB were studied in detail. Afterwards, other
types of faults at these two locations were studied.

Since the negative sequence controllers could be applied in the WTG-GSCs

and the offshore VSC-HVDC controllers, there were four combinations as
given below:

1. Negative sequence controller was enabled in both the WTG-GSC and

the offshore VSC-HVDC (W1H1)
2. Negative sequence controller was enabled only in the WTG-GSC
102

(W1H0).
3. Negative sequence controller was enabled only in the VSC-HVDC
(W0H1).
4. All the negative sequence controllers are disabled (W0H0).

6.4.1 Single Line to Ground Fault at ‘FA’

Figure 6.2 shows the effect of the negative sequence current controllers on
the dc over voltage in the VSC-HVDC transmission system.

The peak DC line voltage overshoot was reduced to 1.15 pu for the case
W1H1, while it was 1.46 pu, 1.22 pu, and 1.52 pu for the cases W1H0, W0H1,
and W0H0 respectively.

DC overvoltage during single line to ground fault at ‘FA’

1.5
W0H0
1.25
Vdc (pu)

1
0.75
0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
1.5
W1H0
1.25
Vdc (pu)

1
0.75
0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
1.5
W0H1
1.25
Vdc (pu)

1
0.75
0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
1.5
W1H1
1.25
Vdc (pu)

1
0.75
0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25
Time (s)
Figure 6.2 DC link voltage over-shoot in the VSC-HVDC system for SLG fault at FA for the
cases: W0H0, W1H0, W0H1, and W1H1.

The effect of these controllers on the power-flow to the HVDC system is

shown in Figure 6.3. The power flow was less oscillatory when the NSCCs
 103

were enabled. However, it was observed that the average power transferred to
the VSC-HVDC during the fault was higher in W0H1 than that in W1H1. The
reason is that the WTG-GSCs went into current limit control mode, and the
current references given by NSCC were scaled down, thereby limiting the
output power during the fault.

The excess power which could not be evacuated to the VSC-HVDC would
have to be dissipated in the WTG-FSC chopper resistors. Power and voltage
oscillations were higher and the damping was poor when the NSCCs in the
WTG-GSCs were disabled.

Power-flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC

1 W0H0
Ps1 (pu)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2

1 W1H0
0.8
Ps1 (pu)

0.6
0.4
0.2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
W0H1
1
0.8
Ps1 (pu)

0.6
0.4
0.2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
W1H1
1
Ps1 (pu)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
Time (s)

Figure 6.3. Power flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal during the SLG fault at FA for the
cases: W0H0, W1H0, W0H1, and W1H1.

Figure 6.4 shows the three-phase voltage waveforms at the filter bus of the
offshore VSC-HVDC for the four cases during the SLG fault at FA. A
comparison of the cases W1H1 and W0H1 against W1H0 and W0H0 reveals
that the NSCC on the VSC-HVDC was more effective in reducing the high
104

frequency oscillations in the voltage waveforms. Enabling the NSCC on the

WTG-GSC had a small impact in reducing these oscillations. It was justified as
the VSC-HVDC was the largest converter in the offshore grid and voltage was
measured closer to this converter. The transient peak ac voltage was reduced to
1.35 pu for the case W1H1 from 2.49 pu for the case W0H0. A comprehensive
summary of the peak dc voltage overshoot, the minimum power-flow and the
ac voltage transient peaks is presented in Table 6.1.

AC voltage waveform
2 W0H0
Vs1 (pu)

-2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
2 W1H0
Vs1 (pu)

-2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
2 W0H1
Vs1 (pu)

-2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
2 W1H1
Vs1 (pu)

-2
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
Time (s)

Figure 6.4. Grid voltage at the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal during the SLG fault at FA for the
cases: W0H0, W1H0, W0H1 and W1H1.

The power oscillations could not be eliminated as anticipated by (6.8)-(6.9)

as the actual negative current flow could not be controlled to the estimated
reference levels as shown in Figure 6.5. It happened so as the required ac
voltage output was too high for the VSC-HVDC converter.
 105

Table 6.1. Effect of NSCC on the peak values of voltages, currents and power flow during SLG
fault at FA
W1H1 W1H0 W0H1 W0H0
Case
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
DC line voltageVDC 0.79 1.15 0.67 1.46 0.80 1.22 0.59 1.52
Power-flow to VSC-HVDC 0.51 0.97 0.30 0.97 0.66 1.07 0.34 0.99
AC voltage (at HVDC filters), Ph. A −1.31 1.35 −2.20 2.36 −1.42 1.46 −2.49 2.37
AC voltage (at HVDC filters), Ph. B −1.26 1.29 −1.75 1.63 −1.47 1.35 −1.61 1.46
AC voltage (at HVDC filters), Ph. C −1.14 1.14 −2.37 2.32 −1.01 1.49 −2.40 2.40
Neg. Seq. d-axis current −0.15 0.52 −0.08 0.78 0.00 0.59 −0.05 0.83
Neg. Seq. q-axis current −0.28 0.30 −0.04 0.21 −0.36 0.06 −0.48 0.22

Negative Sequence Current (during single line to ground fault at FA)

1
W1H1
0.5
Idn (pu)

0
Idn ref
-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W0H0
0.5
Idn (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W1H1
0.5 Iqn ref
Idn (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W0H0
0.5
Idn (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
Time (s)
Figure 6.5. Negative sequence d and q axes currents during the SLG fault at FA for the cases:
W1H1 and W0H0.

Figure 6.5 shows the negative sequence current flows during the SLG fault
at FA in the cases W1H1 and W0H0.
106

Positive Sequence Current (during single line to ground fault at FA)

1
W1H1
Idp (pu)

0.5

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W0H0
0.5
Idp (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W1H1
0.5
Iqp (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1
W0H0
0.5
Iqp (pu)

-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
Time (s)
Figure 6.6. Positive sequence d and q axes currents during the SLG fault at FA for the cases:
W1H1 and W0H0.

NSCC brought down the d-axis negative sequence current to a level less
than 0.52 pu compared to 0.83 pu when it was disabled. Although the NSCC
had only a small impact on the q-axis negative sequence current, it showed less
oscillation during the fault and during post fault recovery. Without the NSCC,
the negative oscillations continued for some time even after the fault had been
cleared.

Though the same positive sequence controllers were used in both cases,
enabling the negative sequence components led to a reduced level of
oscillations in the positive sequence current as shown in Figure 6.6. This
signified an overall improvement in the system performance.
 107

When the NSCCs were enabled, positive and negative sequence

components of the filter bus voltages were less oscillatory; even though the
magnitude of the negative sequence voltage components increased (Figure 6.7).
The positive sequence voltage on the d-axis reached a minimum of 0.83 pu in
case of W1H1 while it fell down to 0.52 pu in W0H0. Similarly, the positive
sequence q-axis voltage was limited within a range of −0.08 pu and 0.15 pu in
the case of W1H1; while it varied between −0.39 and 0.48 pu in the case of
W0H0.

Sequence components of the ac voltage

1 Vdp
Vdp , Vdn (pu)

W1H1
0.5

0
Vdn
-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
1 Vdp W0H0
0.5
Vdp , Vdn (pu)

0
Vdn
-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3

1 W1H1
Vqp
0.5
Vqp , Vqn (pu)

0
Vqn
-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3

1 W0H0
Vqp , Vqn (pu)

Vqp
0.5

0
Vqn
-0.5
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3
Time (s)
Figure 6.7. Positive and negative sequence d- and q axes voltage components for the SLG fault
at FA for the cases: W1H1 and W0H0.
108

6.4.2 LLG, LLLG and LL Faults at ‘FA’

The dc voltage overshoots for the different fault cases, namely LLG, LLLG
and LL faults at the point FA are shown in Figure 6.8. The NSCCs were most
effective during an LL fault as the peak dc voltage overshoot was restricted to
1.20 pu in W1H1 as compared to 1.31 pu in W0H0. For all other faults, there
was no significant improvement in minimizing the dc over-voltage.
Nevertheless, the over-voltages were observed to be lower than the one which
appeared in the case of SLG fault described earlier. During the LLG fault, the
dc voltage overshoot increased from 1.12 pu to 1.17 pu. During the LLLG
fault, the dc voltage overshoot was 1.19 pu in W1H1 against 1.22 pu in W0H0.
Still, there was an overall reduction in peak-to-peak oscillation levels as the
minimum dc voltage was higher in W1H1. The NSCCs were not expected to
have any significant effect during the LLLG fault because of its symmetric
fault characteristic. It was studied just to confirm that the NSCCs did not
deteriorate the fault.

DC overvoltages
LLG - W1H1 LLG – W0H0
1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

Vdc (pu)

1 1

0.8 0.8
0.6 0.6
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15

LLLG - W1H1 LLLG – W0H0

1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

Vdc (pu)

1 1
0.8 0.8
0.6 0.6
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15

1.4 1.4
LL - W1H1 LL – W0H0
1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

Vdc (pu)

1 1
0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15
Time (s) Time (s)
 109

Figure 6.8. DC voltage overshoots in the VSC-HVDC lines for different faults at FA for the
cases: W1H1 and W0H0.

Figure 6.9 shows the power flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal
during the different faults in the offshore collector grid at FA. In the case of LL
fault, there was some improvement in power-flow as the minimum power-flow
level was 0.44 pu in W1H1, which was remarkably high in comparison to the
minimum power-flow level of 0.08 pu in W0H0. However, there was only a
small change in power-flow level during the LLG and LLLG faults.

Power-flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC

1 1

0.75 0.75
Ps1 (pu)

0.5 Ps1 (pu) 0.5

0.25 0.25

0 0 LLG – W0H0
LLG - W1H1
4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3
1 1

0.75 0.75
Ps1 (pu)

Ps1 (pu)

0.5 0.5

0.25 0.25

0 LLLG - W1H1 0 LLLG – W0H0

4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3
1 1

0.75 0.75
Ps1 (pu)

Ps1 (pu)

0.5 0.5

0.25 0.25

0 LL - W1H1 0 LL – W0H0

4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3

Time (s) Time (s)
110

Figure 6.9. Power flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal during different faults at FA for the
cases: W1H1 and W0H0.

Table 6.2. Effect of NSCC on the Peak Values of dc Voltage Overshoot and Power-flow During
Different Faults
SLG LLG LLLG LL
Parameter Case
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
Fault at FA
DC line voltage W1H1 0.79 1.15 0.73 1.17 0.75 1.19 0.79 1.15
(p.u.) W0H0 0.59 1.52 0.66 1.12 0.67 1.22 0.59 1.31
Power-flow to VSC- W1H1 0.51 0.97 −0.08 0.96 −0.09 0.96 0.51 0.97
HVDC (p.u.) W0H0 0.34 0.99 −0.03 0.96 −0.01 0.96 0.08 0.96
Fault at FB
DC line voltage W1H1 0.75 1.28 0.64 1.12 0.68 1.10 0.75 1.28
(p.u.) W0H0 0.68 1.34 0.74 1.09 0.69 1.06 0.70 1.39
Power-flow to VSC- W1H1 0.46 1.02 −0.11 0.97 −0.11 0.97 0.46 1.02
HVDC (p.u.) W0H0 0.19 0.97 −0.13 0.97 −0.09 0.97 0.28 0.96

Table 6.2 gives a summary of the minimum and maximum values of the dc
voltage and power flow to the VSC-HVDC during the different types of faults
at FA.

6.4.3 Faults at FB

The effect of the NSCCs was studied for the different faults on the HV
cable feeder at FB (Figure 3.1) in the offshore grid, close to the converter
transformer terminal. Soon after the fault event, the NSCCs in WTG-GSCs got
blocked as described in Section 6.3. Hence, only the positive sequence currents
were injected in this case (similar to W0H1).

Figure 6.10 shows that, during the SLG fault, the dc voltage overshoot
reduced to 1.28 pu in W1H1 from 1.34 pu in W0H0. Similarly, during the LL
fault, it reduced to 1.24 pu in W1H1 from 1.39 pu in W0H0. As the NSCCs in
the WTG-GSCs got de-blocked after fault clearance, the post fault oscillations
were lower in W1H1 than in W0H0.

Besides, there was a marked improvement in power-flow to the VSC-

HVDC terminal (Figure 6.11). During the SLG and LL faults, the minimum
power-flow level increased to 0.46 pu and 0.54 pu respectively in W1H1 from
0.19 pu and 0.28 pu respectively in W0H0. Although, the case W1H1 was
somewhat oscillatory during the fault, the NSCCs contributed to better
 111

damping of post fault oscillations—these oscillations were lower in the case

W1H1 than in the case W0H0.

DC overvoltage

1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

1 1
0.8 0.8
SLG - W1H1 SLG – W0H0
0.6 0.6
5 5.1 5.2 5 5.1 5.2

1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

Vdc (pu)
1 1
0.8 0.8
LL - W1H1 LL – W0H0
0.6 0.6
5 5.1 5.2 5 5.1 5.2
1.4 1.4
1.2 1.2
Vdc (pu)

Vdc (pu)
1 1
0.8 0.8
LLG - W1H1 LLG – W0H0
0.6 0.6
5 5.1 5.2 5 5.1 5.2
Time (s) Time (s)

Figure 6.10. DC link voltage over-shoot in the VSC-HVDC system during the SLG, LL and
LLG faults at FB for the cases: W1H1 and W0H0.
112

Power-flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC

1 1
Ps1 (pu)

Ps1 (pu)
0.5 0.5

0 SLG - W1H1 0 SLG – W0H0

5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5 5.1 5.2 5.3
1
1
Ps1 (pu)

Ps1 (pu)
0.5 0.5

0 LL - W1H1 0 LL – W0H0
5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5 5.1 5.2 5.3
1 1
Ps1 (pu)

Ps1 (pu)
0.5 0.5

0 LLG - W1H1 0 LLG – W0H0

5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5 5.1 5.2 5.3
Time (s) Time (s)
Figure 6.11. Power flow to the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal during the SLG, LL and LLG
faults at FB for the cases: W1H1 and W0H0.

Figure 6.12 shows the ac voltage waveforms at the VSC-HVDC filter bus
during the SLG and LL faults at FB for the two cases W1H1 and W0H0. By
allowing the negative sequence current control, the converter generated the
unbalanced ac voltage waveform with a low harmonic content. The ac current
was unbalanced, but it allowed the flow of power transfer. When the NSCC
was disabled, a lot of harmonics were generated as the converter attempted to
maintain a balanced sinusoidal voltage profile in the network with
asymmetrical fault.
 113

AC voltage (ph. B) during the fault at FB

2 SLG – W0H0
Vac (pu) 0

-2
5 5.05 5.1 5.15 5.2 5.25
2 SLG - W1H1
Vac (pu)

-2
5 5.05 5.1 5.15 5.2 5.25
2 LL – W0H0
Vac (pu)

-2
5 5.05 5.1 5.15 5.2 5.25
2 LL - W1H1
Vac (pu)

-2
5 5.05 5.1 5.15 5.2 5.25
Time (s)

Figure 6.12. Filter bus voltage of the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal during the SLG and LL
faults at FB.

6.5 Discussion

The simulation results show that maximum over-voltages appear during the
SLG and LL faults. Incidentally, the proposed NSCC method (W1H1) was
most effective in reducing the dc voltage oscillations in these very faults.
Moreover, SLG fault is the most common fault of all the faults in a typical
power system. When the faults were applied at FB, the reduction in dc over-
voltage was less in comparison to the reduction observed during the faults at
FA. Nonetheless, in case of SLG fault at FB, it was accompanied by a marked
increase in the power-flow during the fault event.

One of the objectives of using the NSCC in the WTG-GSC was to

eliminate the power oscillations, and hence the voltage oscillations, in the dc
link of the WTG-FSC. However, this study focused on the impact of NSCC on
the dc voltage overshoot in the VSC-HVDC and the over-all power-flow.
114

Enabling the NSCC in WTG-GSC decreased the average power-flow as

observed by the comparison of power-flow in the cases W1H1 and W1H0
against W0H1 and W0H0 (Figure 6.3). It happened so due to the fact that the
overall current references demanded by the NSCC as per (6.12)-(6.13)
exceeded the maximum current limit of the WTG-GSC (which was assumed as
1.1 pu on its own base); and therefore, they went into current limit mode.

For the SLG and LL faults at FB, the NSCCs in the WTG-GSCs got
blocked soon after the fault inception due to high proportion of the negative
sequence component in the WTG terminal voltage. Consequently, the power
transfer was higher, but it was accompanied with relatively higher dc voltage
oscillations in the VSC-HVDC system.

Besides when the positive and negative sequence current references are
generated as per (6.12) and (6.13) or (6.16) and (6.17), the WTG-GSC cannot
control the reactive power. A different strategy might be used such that the
WTG-GSC may control active and reactive power injection using positive
sequence current control under normal operating conditions. The NSCCs may
be enabled only during faults and other unbalanced operating conditions.

Although the NSCC was effective in reducing the dc voltage oscillations, at

least during the SLG and LL faults, the power oscillations were not completely
eliminated as expected. There was a persistent error between the negative
sequence current reference and the actual negative sequence currents as shown
in Figure 6.5. Physical limits of the VSC-HVDC terminal, due to nominal dc
voltage ratings, limited the maximum ac voltage that could be generated by a
voltage source converter. During the SLG fault at FA, the peak amplitude of the
converter reference voltage for phase A was 1.57 pu (i.e. ±217.9 kV) as shown
in Figure 6.2. It would be impossible to achieve when the nominal dc pole-pole
voltage of VSC-HVDC was only 1.08 pu (i.e. ±150 kV). In reality, the dc pole
voltage itself was going through transients. Similarly, during the SLG fault at
FB, the peak amplitude of the converter reference voltages for phase B was
1.91 pu (i.e. ±265.8 kV) as shown in Figure 6.14.
 115

AC reference voltage and actual voltage

1
Ph. A
Vac (pu)
0

-1
4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2

1 Ph. B
Vac (pu)

-1
4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2

1 Ph. C
Vac (pu)

-1
4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2
Time (s)
Figure 6.13. AC voltage reference (to the VSC) and actual voltage (measured at the filter bus)
during the SLG fault at FA in case W1H1.

AC reference voltage and actual voltage

2
Ph. A
1
Vac (pu)

0
-1
-2
4.98 5 5.02 5.04 5.06 5.08 5.1 5.12 5.14 5.16 5.18
2
Ph. B
1
Vac (pu)

0
-1
-2
4.98 5 5.02 5.04 5.06 5.08 5.1 5.12 5.14 5.16 5.18
2
Ph. C
1
Vac (pu)

0
-1
-2
4.98 5 5.02 5.04 5.06 5.08 5.1 5.12 5.14 5.16 5.18
Time (s)
Figure 6.14. AC voltage reference (to the VSC) and actual voltage (measured at the filter bus)
during the SLG fault at FB and case W1H1.
116

6.6 Summary

Negative sequence current injection control strategy has been formulated

here for the special case of offshore wind power plants where the power
reference for the VSC-HVDC converter is not available beforehand.
Simultaneously the WTG converters have been provided with the negative
sequence current control scheme to eliminate the oscillations in the active
power.

It is demonstrated here that the simultaneous application of NSCCs in the

VSC-HVDC and the WTG-GSCs reduce the dc voltage overshoot and the
oscillations in the power flow to the VSC-HVDC, especially during the
asymmetric faults. Post fault oscillations decays fast when the NSCCs are
enabled. They are also effective in the reduction of high frequency component
in the filter bus voltage.

***
 117

7 RTDS Simulation of the Relay Coordination in the

Offshore Grid

RTDS® simulation has been used to verify the proposed relay coordination
for the protection of the offshore WPP grid. The test system model has been
developed in RTDS, and then interfaced with a physical over-current relay
through an amplifier. This chapter shows that the faults are detected, when
they lie within the zone of protection and the associated circuit breaker is
tripped to isolate the fault.

7.1 Introduction

Computer simulation provides a lot of insight into the real world

phenomena. However, the simulation models are idealized to some level as all
physical details cannot be modelled and simulated. For instance, the
communication time lag, inherent filtering and the delay present in data
acquisition, or even stray parameters and noises may affect the interaction
between different components and controllers in a power system. Transient
network analyzers (TNA) were developed to build an analog equivalent model
of the power system such that the switching phenomena on the transmission
lines could be studied. Multiple π-sections using inductors and capacitors were
used to model the transmission lines, and circuit breakers were modelled by
switches to simulate the electromagnetic characteristics in the scaled analog
equivalent. In [78], Hirakami and Neugebauer describe the use of mini-
computers with the TNA to take advantage of the digital computers and the
analog network model. A real time digital TNA was first described in [79]

With the development of computer hardware and different EMT simulation

programs, very large system models can be handled in great details nowadays.
Even then, it is of prime importance to test the numerous interactions of a
physical piece of controller hardware with the power system under different
operating conditions.

Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS®) is a platform which enables the

interconnection of physical hardware devices with the digital EMT simulation
of power system in real time with a typical time step of 50 s. [80]. Power
electronic converters can be simulated with a small time step of around 2-3 s.
118

Physical hardware devices like relays or controllers can be interfaced with the
simulation, and their performance can be simulated under variuos operating
conditions.

This chapter describes the real time simulation of the offshore grid with a
physical relay to assess the performance of the relay coordination and grid
protection. In Chapter 5, a coordination method based on nominal current was
proposed and simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC. Here the same system is tested
using an industrial over-current relay for feeder protection (REF615 from
ABB) connected to the system simulation in the RTDS platform

7.2 Experimental Set-up

The test WPP with VSC-HVDC model, which is described in Chapter 3

(Figure 3.1), is implemented in the RTDS platform using the RSCAD software.
Digital simulation models of the current transformers are used from RSCAD
model library. The test case is digitally simulated in RTDS. The relay CT
currents are passed to the analog output cards as scaled voltages in the range of
±5 V. Such a voltage signal, which is reflective of the CT currents in the digital
simulation, is then amplified to the current signals using Omicron CMS156
amplifier. The amplifier is set with a gain of 5 A per volt. The amplified CT
current is then applied to the over-current feeder protection relay IED
(Intelligent Electronic Device), REF615 from ABB. A block diagram of the
layout is shown in Figure 7.1.

The relay IED supports the IEC 61850 standard for GOOSE (Generic
Object Oriented Sub-station Event) communication. The relay settings can be
programmed using the PCM600 relay interface software and CCT600 for the
horizontal communication configuration. The relay communicates the pick-up
(start) and trip (operate) signals and it can read the blocking signal from the
network.

The GTNET-GSE cards in the RTDS manages the GOOSE communication

between the RTDS and the IEDs. It can thus receive the relay states and also
send the blocking signal to them.

The test system has several converters. They were described in Chapter 3.
Again, they are mentioned here in order to highlight the simplifications.
 119

Figure 7.1 Block diagram of the experimental set-up.

7.2.1 WTG with FSC Model

In this study, the grid side inverters in the WTG were modelled as PWM
switching inverters supplied by the constant dc voltage sources. The positive
sequence terminal voltage is extracted using the SOGI filters and then a
positive sequence PLL is used as shown in Figure 3.14 [53]. Vector control in
rotating reference frame is used to control the inverter for the specified active
power. The reactive power is controlled so as to maintain the nominal voltage
across the capacitor of the LCL filter.

7.2.2 VSC HVDC Controllers

The onshore VSC-HVDC converter terminal controls the dc line voltage.

Therefore, it evacuates the power absorbed by the offshore VSC-HVDC
terminal. Simultaneously, it regulates the ac voltage at the filter bus by
controlling the reactive power flow. It is described in Chapter 3 (Figure 3.15).

The basic function of the offshore VSC-HVDC controller is to establish the

offshore grid voltage and frequency. Thus it creates a kind of infinite bus in the
collector grid. The WTG-FSCs get synchronized with this bus and the
generated power is absorbed by the VSC-HVDC converter. A simple ac
voltage controller has been implemented here as shown in Figure 7.2. The error
in RMS voltage at the PCC is applied to a proportional integral controller
120

which generates the d-axis voltage reference. The q-axis reference voltage was
set to 0. Inverse Park’s transformation was applied to get the phase voltage
references for the modulation of the VSC-HVDC converter.

7.2.3 Over-current Limit Control in VSC

Active current limits are imposed by blocking the converter gate pulses for
brief periods when the measured RMS current exceeds the pre-defined
converter current limits (Figure 7.3). Their PI controllers are disabled during
the periods when the converter is blocked.

+ S + S Inverse
Park’s
− + Transform

Figure 7.2. Block diagram of the offshore VSC-HVDC voltage controller.

Ia
RMS Irms Block
Ib Irms > Imax
Calculation VSC
Ic
Imax

Figure 7.3. Limiting overcurrent by blocking the VSC.

7.2.4 Over-current Protection Functions of the Relay

The numerical relay IED REF615 provides several protection

functionalities which can be programmed in the same unit [81]. In view of the
non-directional over-current relay coordination, the following protection
functions were identified:

1. Three Phase non-directional overcurrent protection 51P/50P

a. Low stage (PHLPTOC, 3I>)
b. Instantaneous stage (PHIPTOC, 3I>>>)
 121

2. Neutral overcurrent (Ground fault) protection 51N/50N

a. Non-directional - High stage (EFHPTOC, I0>>)
b. Directional - High stage (directional unit disabled) (DEFHPTOC,
I0>>>).

For sake of comparison with the over-current relay coordination studies

presented in Chapter 5, only the low stage three phase non-directional
overcurrent protection (PHLPTOC, 3I>) was enabled. All other protective
functions were turned off.

7.2.5 Over-current Relay Settings

7.2.5.1 MV Feeder relay

7.2.5.2 HV Cable Feeder relay

122

7.3 GOOSE Communication Set-up

The IED REF615 was configured using the proprietary tool CCT600 to
broadcast the following signals —

1. PHIPTOC1.Str, PHIPTOC1.Op
2. PHLPTOC1.Str, PHLPTOC1.Op
3. EFHPTOC1.Str, EFHPTOC1.Op
4. DEFHPTOC1.Str, DEFHPTOC1.Op

As per IEC61850 standards, the names of these signals indicate the

corresponding protective function. These are described in Section 7.2.4. The
suffix ’Str’ indicates the ’start’ or the pick up of the relay function and
the suffix ’Op’ indicates the ’Operate’ or the trip of the corresponding
function. Since only the non-directional over-current relay (PHLPTOC) was
used here, PHLPTOC1.Str and PHLPTOC1.Op were the relevant GOOSE
signals for the three phases.

Apart from this, the GTNET-GSE card in the RTDS is configured to send
the blocking signal to prevent the relay from picking up when the MV feeder
relay has picked up.

7.4 Simulation and Results

7.4.1 Steady State RTDS Simulation:

Figure 7.4 shows the dc voltage, power and current waveforms during the
steady state operation of the wind power plant and VSC-HVDC. While the
total harmonic distortion for the dc voltage was 6.5%, the peak to peak ripple
was within ±3% of the nominal. The four aggregated WTGs were generating
0.85, 0.86, 0.87 and 0.88 pu active power (on 100 MW base).
 123

VDC1
310

305
kV
300

295

VDC2
310

305
kV

300

295

290

PG1 PG2 PG3 PG4

-82

-84
MW

-86

-88

-90

PHVDC1
342

340
MW

338

336

PHVDC2
-318

-320

-322
MW

-324

-326

-328

0 0.06667 0.13333 0.2 0.26667 0.33333 0.4

Figure 7.4. Steady state results (in pu) (i)HVDC voltage at offshore terminal (ii) HVDC voltage
at the onshore terminal (iii) Power generated by the 4 WTGs (v) Power transmitted to the
offshore VSC-HVDC terminal (vi) Power transmitted by the onshore VSC-HVDC terminal

The 400 MW offshore VSC-HVDC transmission system was receiving 0.85

pu power and supplying 0.81 pu power to the onshore grid. Thus there was
0.04 pu power loss in the converters and the 200 km long DC cable. All these
power data were measured at the ac terminals of the converters.

Figure 7.5 shows the voltage signal acquired from the RTDS simulation. It
represents the current passing through the MV feeder relay CT in steady state.
Considering the CT ratio of 400:1, and the scaling factor in the GTAO of
100:5, 260-mV-peak voltage signal corresponded to the 1.47 kA primary
current in the steady state. It was amplified to the overlapping IED current
124

waveform of 1.3A-peak by the Omicron amplifier CMS156 with a current gain

of .

Figure 7.5 Voltage signal at the GTAO output and the overlapping current signal output of the
amplifier.

7.4.2 Comparison with PSCAD Simulation Results

First of all the RTDS simulation set-up was compared with the PSCAD
simulations carried out earlier for the sake of validation. A single line to ground
(SLG) fault was applied on the MV feeder at FA. The sudden disturbance
resulted in power unbalance. A transient over-voltage of 1.54 pu peak was
observed in the HVDC transmission as shown in Figure 7.6. In PSCAD
simulation, 1.52 pu DC link over-voltage had been observed in similar
simulations in Chapter 6. Power injected into the VSC-HVDC system dropped
to a minimum of 0.38 pu in RTDS simulation whereas it was 0.34 pu in
PSCAD simulation (as given in Table 6.1). The corresponding PSCAD curves
have been included here (from Figure 6.8, Figure 6.9) for a quick comparison
and validation of the RTDS model. Similar power and voltage oscillations were
observed during the fault events, though the oscillation amplitudes appear to be
lower in the RTDS simulation. The oscillations died out after the fault got
cleared.
 125

1.5
Vdc2 (pu)
1
RTDS
0.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
1.5
Vdc2 (pu)

1
PSCAD
0.5
3.96 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.16 4.21 4.26 4.31 4.36

0.8
Ps1 (pu)

0.6
0.4 RTDS
0.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4

0.8
Ps1 (pu)

0.6
0.4 PSCAD
0.2
3.96 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.16 4.21 4.26 4.31 4.36
Time (s)

Figure 7.6 DC voltage and power flow during SLG fault on MV feeder. Corresponding curves
from PSCAD simulation is included for comparison.

A comparison of the fault and relay CT current waveforms in PSCAD and

RTDS simulations is shown in Figure 7.7. The fault current and the MV CT
feeder current were almost similar in waveform and peak levels. However, the
current waveform for the HV CT showed a deviation. The peaks in RTDS
simulation were 2.28 pu; while the peaks were at 3.05-pu level in the PSCAD
simulation. Apart from this, the waveform in RTDS had lower amount of
harmonic content compared to the waveform obtained from PSCAD
simulation.

It must be noted here that the PSCAD simulations were carried out with a
time step of 8 s, while the RTDS simulation have a fixed time step of 50s
for the power system components and 2 s for the small time step power
converter switching simulations.
126

I_fault (pu) 10
RTDS
0

-10
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
10
I_fault (pu)

PSCAD
0

-10
3.96 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.16 4.21 4.26 4.31 4.36
10
I_MVCT (pu)

RTDS
0

-10
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
10
I_MVCT (pu)

PSCAD
0

-10
3.96 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.16 4.21 4.26 4.31 4.36
I_HVCT (pu)

2 RTDS
0
-2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
2
I_HVCT (pu)

PSCAD
0
-2
3.96 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.16 4.21 4.26 4.31 4.36
Time (s)

Figure 7.7. Comparison of the RTDS and PSCAD current waveforms during SLG fault at FA.

7.4.3 Single Line to Ground Fault on an MV Feeder

A single line to ground (SLG) fault was applied at FA on the 36-kV MV

feeder #4. Analog voltage signals were obtained from the secondary current of
the relay CT on the analog output cards of the RTDS, as shown in Figure 7.8. It
was then amplified into fault current waveform, which is exactly overlapped by
the voltage signal.

The RTDS simulation output data were saved as comtrade files, so that
they could be recovered later. Since, the fault instant was used as the trigger,
the fault instant is recorded as time 0 s. As shown in Figure 7.9, the maximum
 127

absolute peak fault current was 7.99 pu (i.e. 20.38 kA) at 1.04s. The maximum
absolute peak currents passing through the MV CT was 45.18 A (7.08 pu) at
0.054 s. (The fault current through the MV CT, in Figure 7.10, is inverted from
the one shown in Figure 7.8). Due to the transformer connection, the fault
appeared as an LL fault on the HV side. The maximum absolute peak currents
through the HV feeder CT was recorded as 12.25 A (2.00 pu) at 0.046 s in
phase A and 13.33 A (2.18 pu) at 0.014 s in phase B.

Figure 7.8. Voltage signal from the RTDS simulation and the corresponding amplified current
signal (the blue curve under the yellow curve).

The relay IED on the faulted MV feeder started at 12 ms and tripped at 72

ms. Since a delay of 50 ms was assumed for the circuit breaker operation, the
breaker opened at 122 ms.

Even the HV feeder relay picked up at 24.8 ms as a large fault current

flowed through the HV feeder CT. However, it was blocked from tripping by
the MV feeder relay which activated earlier. A delay of 15 ms was assumed for
the communication of the blocking signal.

The variations in the dc voltage and the power-flow during the fault are
shown in Figure 7.10. The dc voltage as well as the healthy section of the WPP
recovered to their normal operation soon after the fault was cleared. The WTG
#4 got isolated by the opening of the circuit breaker. Consequently, the power-
flow to the HVDC dropped to 0.75 pu from the pre-fault level of 0.98 pu.
128

I_fault (pu) 5
0
-5
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

5
I_MVCT
(pu)

0
-5
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

2
I_HVCT (pu)

0
-2
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

IED_Trip
IED & CB

1 CB_Open
Signals

IED_St
HV - Start

0
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time (s)
Figure 7.9. Fault currents, the relay signals, and the breaker opening during SLG fault at FA.

1.5
1.25
Vdc2 (pu)

1
0.75
0.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4

1
To HVDC
0.75
Ps1 (pu)

0.5
0.25
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
1
WTG #1, 2, & 3
Pwtg (pu)

0.5
WTG #4
0

-0.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
Time (s)
Figure 7.10. Dc voltage and power during SLG fault at FA.
 129

7.4.3.1 Measurement Data Captured in the IED REF615

The fault time current waveforms captured by the relay IED are shown in
Figure 7.11. These waveforms are similar to those captured on the oscilloscope
(Figure 7.8, phase A only) and in the RTDS scopes (Figure 7.9); except that the
waveform in the oscilloscope is inverted. Thus, the real time simulation set-up
with the relay gets validated. The current data computed by the relay is given in
Table 7.1. Nevertheless, the numerical data captured in the IED appears to be
lower than the recorded waveforms. For instance, the maximum current peak in
the relay is recorded as 7.45 A. Considering the net gain of the analog output
card ( ) and the amplifier ( ), it implies a peak fault current of 29.8A in
the secondary of the feeder CT, and therefore, 16.86 kA (or 6.61 pu) in the
primary winding of the MV feeder CT. As per Figure 7.9, it should be 7.08 pu.
The difference could be attributed to the fault current estimation algorithm used
in the relay software.

Figure 7.11. Fault current waveforms recorded by REF615 during SLG fault at FA..
130

Table 7.1 Fault Report Summary for SLG fault at FA from the ABB REF615 Relay
Fault Number: 628 / Time and Date: 19.10.2011 22:40:51.694
Start duration...............100%
Setting group..................1.
Max current IL1..............7.453...xInà16.86kA,pk
Max current IL2..............0.956...xInà 2.16kA,pk
Max current IL3..............1.204...xInà 2.72kA,pk
Current IL1..................6.677...xInà15.11kA,pk
Current IL2..................0.738...xInà 1.67kA,pk
Current IL3..................0.711...xInà 1.61kA,pk
Current Io......................0...xIn
Current Io-Calc..............7.564...xInà17.12kA,pk
Current Ps-Seq...............2.218...xInà 5.02kA,pk
Current Ng-Seq...............1.984...xInà 4.49kA,pk

7.4.4 Double Line to Ground (LLG) Fault on an MV Feeder

The RTDS simulation results of a double line to ground (LLG) fault

applied at FA are shown in Figure 7.12. The peak (maximum of the absolute
value) fault current for the LLG fault is 14.83 kA (5.81 pu) in phase A and
20.31 kA (7.96 pu) in phase B. The peak (maximum absolute) fault current in
the MV feeder relay CT is 34.20 A (5.36 pu) in phase A, and it is 48.32 A (7.58
pu) in phase B. Similarly, in the HV feeder CT, the peak (maximum absolute)
current is 17.98 A (2.94 pu) in phase B, and 15.01 A (2.45 pu) in phase C.

The REF615 IED started at 10.4 ms and it tripped at 90.4 ms.

Consequently, the MV circuit breaker opened at 140 ms. WTG #4 was not
disconnected and it continued to supply a small fault current for some time.
Although, the HV feeder relay picked up at 19.2 ms, its tripping operation was
blocked by the blocking signal from the MV feeder relay IED.

The results captured in the relay IED are given in Table 7.2. Likewise the
SLG fault data, these currents are lower than the current observed in the RTDS
plots.
 131

I_fault (pu)
0
-5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

5
I_MVCT
(pu)

0
-5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

2
I_HVCT (pu)

0
-2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
CB_Open
IED_Trip
IED & CB
Signals

1 IED_St
HV - Start

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time (s)

Figure 7.12 Fault currents, relay signals and circuit breaker state during an LLG fault at FA.

Table 7.2 Fault Report Summary for LLG fault at FA from the ABB REF615 Relay
Fault Number: 629 / Time and Date: 19.10.2011 22:43:29.884
Start duration..............100%
Setting group..................1
Max current IL1..............5.2 ...xInà 11.77kA,pk
Max current IL2..............7.246...xInà 16.40kA,pk
Max current IL3..............1.106...xInà 2.50kA,pk
Current IL1..................3.854...xInà 8.72kA,pk
Current IL2..................5.759...xInà 13.03kA,pk
Current IL3..................0.662...xInà 1.50kA,pk
Current Io......................0...xIn
Current Io-Calc..............5.867...xInà 13.28kA,pk
Current Ps-Seq...............3.351...xInà 7.58kA,pk
Current Ng-Seq...............1.041...xInà 2.36kA,pk
132

7.4.5 Triple Line to Ground (LLLG) Fault on an MV Feeder

The current waveforms and the relay signals of a triple line to ground fault
applied at FA on the MV feeder are shown in Figure 7.13 and the data recorded
by the relay IED are given in Table 7.3. It is a case of symmetric fault as all the
three phases are involved. The maximum amplitudes of the fault current are
16.33 kA (6.40 pu) in phase A, 14.79 kA (5.80 pu) in phase B, and 15.60 kA
(6.12 pu) in phase C. The MV feeder CT secondary currents were recorded as
38.42 A (6.02 pu) in phase A at 17 ms, 31.12 A (4.88 pu) in phase B at 14 ms
and 35.62 A (5.584 pu) in phase C at 19 ms.

The relay IED started at 11.2s, but it tripped at 196 ms. Therefore, the fault
got isolated only at 246 ms. The symmetrical fault case resulted in a lower
amplitude of the fault current and hence the relay took a longer time to operate.
The HV relay picked up at 17.6ms, but it is prevented from tripping by the
blocking signal from the MV relay.

5
0
I_fault (pu)

-5
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3

5
I_MVCT (pu)

0
-5
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3

2
I_HVCT (pu)

0
-2
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
1.5
IED & CB Signals

IED_Trip CB_Open
1 IED_St
HV - Start
0.5
0
-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Time (s)

Figure 7.13 Fault currents, relay signals and circuit breaker state during an LLLG fault at FA.
 133

Table 7.3 Fault Report Summary for LLLG fault at FA from the ABB REF615 Relay

Fault Number: 630 / Time and Date: 19.10.2011 22:46:19.667

Start duration..............100%
Setting group..................1
Max current IL1..............5.4 ...xInà 12.22kA,pk
Max current IL2..............4.926...xInà 11.15kA,pk
Max current IL3..............5.044...xInà 11.41kA,pk
Current IL1..................2.953...xInà 6.68kA,pk
Current IL2..................3.051...xInà 6.90kA,pk
Current IL3..................2.992...xInà 6.77kA,pk
Current Io......................0...xIn
Current Io-Calc..............0.002...xInà 0.00kA,pk
Current Ps-Seq...............2.998...xInà 6.78kA,pk
Current Ng-Seq............... .07 ...xInà 0.16kA,pk

7.4.6 SLG Fault on a HV Feeder

Different faults were studied at both the fault locations, FA on the MV

feeder and FB on the HV feeder. The results of a single line to ground (SLG)
fault is described in this section. Waveforms for the fault currents, the relay
signals, and the breaker state are shown in Figure 7.14.

The maximum value of the fault current peak was 11.1 kA (4.35 pu) during
the SLG fault. By virtue of transformer connection, it appeared as the LL fault
on the MV feeder. During the fault, the MV feeder CT currents were 8.49 A
(1.33 pu) in phase B and 11.25 A (1.76 pu) in phase C. A transient peak of
10.6 A (1.66 pu) was observed in phase A at 3 ms.

The IED on the HV feeder picked up at 10.4 ms and it tripped at 157.6 ms,
thereby opening the MV circuit breaker at 207.2 ms. The fault current
continued for some more time as the WTG#3 and WTG#4 were not
disconnected immediately. The recording from the relay IED is given in Table
7.4. Since it was an SLG fault, there was a strong presence of the negative and
zero sequence components.
134

I_fault (pu) 10
5
0
-5
-10
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
2
I_MVCT (pu)

1
0
-1
-2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
10
I_HVCT (pu)

5
0
-5
-10
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

IED_Trip HV CB_Open
IED & CB

1
Signals

IED_St

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Time (s)
Figure 7.14 Fault currents, relay signals and circuit breaker state during an SLG fault at FB.

Table 7.4 Fault Report Summary for SLG fault at FA from the ABB REF615 Relay

Fault Number: 639 / Time and Date: 20.10.2011 14:01:29.902

Start duration...............100%
Setting group..................1.
Max current IL1..............4.059...xInà4.59kA,pk
Max current IL2..............1.316...xInà 1.49kA,pk
Max current IL3..............0.985...xInà 1.11kA,pk
Current IL1..................3.963...xInà 4.48kA,pk
Current IL2..................1.109...xInà 1.25kA,pk
Current IL3..................0.814...xInà 0.92kA,pk
Current Io......................0...xIn
Current Io-Calc..............2.865...xInà 3.24kA,pk
Current Ps-Seq...............1.818...xInà 2.06kA,pk
Current Ng-Seq...............1.284...xInà 1.45kA,pk
 135

7.4.7 Overcurrent Relay Trip Times for the Different Faults

The trip times taken by the REF615 relay IED for the different faults at FA
on the MV feeder and at FB on the HV feeder are presented in Figure 7.15. The
results from the PSCAD simulations, described earlier in Chapter 5, are
included for the sake of comparison. The two results are closely matching with
a deviation of less than 20 ms in most of the cases. Nevertheless, there are
higher differences in some cases; like 51 ms (22%) for the LLL fault at FA, 60
ms (31%) for the LLG fault at FB, and the highest difference of 164 ms (45%)
for the LL fault at FB. In general, there was a good match between the
simulated and practically observed cases; and the exact cause of the variation
was not investigated in this project.

(a) Fault at FA
250
RTDS-IED PSCAD
IED/Relay Trip Time (ms)

200

150

100

50

0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Fault Type

(b) Fault at FB
400
RTDS-IED PSCAD
350
IED/Relay Trip Time (ms)

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
SLG LLG LLLG LL LLL
Fault Type

Figure 7.15 Trip times for the different faults. (a) at FA on the MV feeder; (b) at FB on the HV
feeder.
136

In both the PSCAD and the RTDS simulations, it was found that the relay
took longer time to trip for symmetrical faults (LLL and LLLG) compared to
the asymmetric faults. In case of symmetric faults, the fault current had a high
amplitude in the first cycle, but soon it had a low content of the fundamental
component as shown in Table 5.4.

Apart from this, the HV feeder relay took longer time to trip for the faults
on the HV feeder in comparison to the time taken by the MV feeder relay for
the faults in the MV feeder. It is so because the HV feeders are rated for twice
the power rating of the MV feeders. The slow response of the HV feeder relay
was advantageous in the sense that the undesirable tripping of the HV feeder
relay for the faults on the MV feeder was delayed. This allowed for the
communication based interlocking of the HV feeder relay by the relay pick-up
signal from the MV feeder relay.

7.5 Summary

The experimental set-up for the testing of the offshore grid relay
coordination has been described in this chapter. The relay tripping behaviour
for the faults on the MV feeder has been recorded and compared with the
results obtained from PSCAD simulations. The relay coordination on the basis
of nominal current ratings along with the inter-locking mechanism has been
demonstrated to work satisfactorily in all the cases.

The performance and discrimination could be further enhanced using other

available protective functions like a combination of the high stage over-current
relays, the instantaneous overcurrent relay, and the earth fault over-current
relay. The experimental set up is ready and the study will be extended to come
out with a more comprehensive protective solution.

The RTDS simulation set-up provided a platform for multiple simulation

studies of the fault cases in the offshore grid. It can be used to study hundreds
of potential cases for testing the relay and control hardware in the converter
connected grid like the offshore WPP grids.

***
 137

8 Conclusions and Future Work

This chapter summarizes the thesis and highlights some areas for further
research in the domain of grid integration of offshore wind power using VSC-
HVDC transmission.

8.1 Conclusions

A test system for the study of wind power plants with VSC-HVDC
connection to the onshore grid has been proposed. It is elaborate enough to
include the detailed switching model of the VSC-HVDC transmission system.
The offshore grid is modelled in terms of four aggregated wind turbine
generators, the associated filters, and the ac collector grid network. The system
is suitable for the simulation study of faults and other transients in the offshore
WPP grid as well as steady state response analyses.

A new controller for the offshore VSC-HVDC converter terminal has been
proposed. It is an adaptation of the standard vector control by adding the feed-
forward WPP current terms calculated from the measured active and reactive
power injection to the VSC-HVDC terminal. Its robustness is evident from the
numerous fault studies done on the test system.

Different frequency control scheme through VSC-HVDC has been

implemented and demonstrated.

Fault ride through capability of an offshore grid with VSC-HVDC

connection has been demonstrated. Elimination of braking resistors on the
VSC-HVDC transmission system was analysed with different LVRT
algorithms. It was concluded that the rapid reduction of the offshore grid
voltage would produce the minimum over-voltage in the HVDC system. If
communication is used, very fast and reliable communication has to be used.

Several different faults in the offshore WPP collector grid have been
investigated through EMT simulations in PSCAD. A detailed layout of the test
wind power plant system with collector grid and VSC-HVDC connection the
onshore grid is developed in Chapters 3 and 4. The use of simple over-current
relays has been proposed along with their coordination scheme for the
protection of the offshore WPP and their performance is demonstrated through
138

PSCAD simulations. The results are further corroborated through a real time
simulation in RTDS with an industrial relay from ABB. The RTDS simulation
model and hardware in loop configuration with IEC 61850 process bus
communication set-up can be used to investigate the different control and
protective features of modern numerical relays.

The system is designed for three phase balanced positive sequence

operation. However, asymmetric faults may lead to unbalanced voltage
conditions and current flows. In Chapter 6, the unbalanced voltage and currents
are separated into the positive and negative sequence components and an
expression for the power oscillation has been derived. Negative sequence
current controller for the offshore VSC-HVDC system has been formulated
using the estimated positive sequence current, and both positive and negative
sequence voltage. The controller performance in minimizing the dc voltage
oscillations is demonstrated through EMT simulations. The controller can
remain active all the time, but it affects the system only when the negative
sequence voltage components appear in the system.

8.2 Main Contributions

A layout of an offshore WPP with collector grid system and VSC-HVDC

connection to the onshore grid has been developed in PSCAD. A new converter
control algorithm has been proposed for the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal. It
is implemented in the test system and the different operating modes as well as
faults have been simulated to verify the control and plant efficacy. The offshore
VSC-HVDC controller was improved by including the WPP current injection
terms derived from the measured active and reactive power at the offshore
HVDC-terminal.

A simple numerical method has been presented for the estimation of fault
current levels in the event of offshore grid faults in the collector grid. The
limitations and the shortcomings of the proposed method has been highlighted.
The scheme is demonstrated through EMT simulations in PSCAD. Later, these
are compared with those of an industrial relay connected with the real time
simulation.

A new algorithm of negative sequence current control using only the

current and voltage measurements in the offshore VSC-HVDC terminal has
 139

been proposed to reduce the power, and hence, the dc voltage oscillations in the
VSC-HVDC transmission. It does not depend upon the instantaneous power
references. Simulation studies have been carried out to demonstrate the efficacy
of having the negative sequence current control in the VSC-HVDC system and
the WTG converters.

8.3 Future Work

Recently the modular multilevel converter (MMC) topologies have been

developed for the VSC-HVDC transmission. These converters are claimed to
have a better dynamic performance and improved controllability in comparison
to the two-level or three-level VSC-HVDC transmission. All the new wind
power plants in the North Sea are going to be connected using MMC-HVDC.
The control and operation of wind power plants with MMC-HVDC and the
impact upon the protection schemes needs further investigation.

Moreover, a dc super-grid overlay has been envisaged using MMC-HVDC.

The coordinated operation of the multi-terminal HVDC systems needs more
research.

On the protection side, the IEC61850 based process bus communication

can provide improved control and protection capabilities for the operation and
control of wind power plants.

This thesis is focussed upon the offshore grid. The work can be extended to
investigate the impact of wind power plants with VSC-HVDC connection on
the onshore grid, especially with regard to inertia emulation, frequency
regulation and fault ride through in the multi-terminal VSC-HVDC systems
with multiple inter-connections between the offshore wind power plants and ac
power grid networks.

8.4 Author’s Publication List

8.4.1 Paper Published

[1] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, “Wind Farm Grid

Integration Using VSC Based HVDC Transmission - An Overview,” in
IEEE Energy 2030 Conference, 2008. ENERGY 2008. IEEE, 2008.
140

[2] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, P.C. Kjær and P. W.

Christensen, “Chopper Controlled Resistors in VSC-HVDC Transmission
for WPP with Full-scale Converters,” in Proc. of Conference on
Sustainable Alternative Energy (SAE), 2009.
[3] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, P.C. Kjær and P. W.
Christensen, “Modelling and Simulation of VSC-HVDC Connection for
Wind Power Plants,” in Proc. of the 5th Nordic Wind Power Conference :
Power System Integration and Electrical Systems of Wind Turbines and
Wind Farms. 2009.
[4] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, R. N. Mukerjee, P. Rodriguez, P.C. Kjær
and P. W. Christensen, “Simulation Study of WPP-HVDC-Grid Integrated
System,” in Proc. of the Simulation Study of WPP-HVDC-Grid Integrated
System, Energynautics GmbH, 2009.
[5] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, P.C. Kjær and P. W.
Christensen, “Modelling and Simulation of VSC-HVDC Connection for
Offshore Wind Power Plants,” in Proc. of the Danish PhD Seminar on
Detailed Modelling and Validation of Electrical Components and Systems
2010. Energinet.dk, 2010, 53-57.
[6] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu and P. Rodriguez, “Control and Operation
of Wind Turbine Converters during Faults in an Offshore Wind Power
Plant Grid with VSC-HVDC Connection,” IEEE-PES General Meeting
2011, 24-28 July 2011.
[7] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, P. C. Kjær, “Application of
Over-current Relay in Offshore Wind Power Plant Grid with VSC-HVDC
Connection,” in 10th International Workshop on Large-Scale Integration of
Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for
Offshore Wind Power Plants. Aarhus, Denmark on October 25 - 26, 2011.

8.4.2 Co-authored Pubilcations

[8] U. N. Gnanarathna, S. K. Chaudhary, A. M. Gole and R. Teodorescu,

“Modular Multi-level converter based HVDC System for Grid Connection
of Offshore Wind Power Plant,” in Proc. of the 9th International
Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission 2010.
[9] U. N. Gnanarathna, S. K. Chaudhary and A. M. Gole, “Multilevel Modular
Converter for VSC-HVDC Transmission Applications: Control and
Operational Aspects,” in Proc. of the 16th National Power Systems
Conference, NPSC 2010. Osmania University, 2010. pg. 405-410
 141

[10] U. N. Gnanarathna, A. M. Gole, A. D. Rajapakse, and S. K.

Chaudhary, ‘Loss Estimation of Modular Multi-Level Converters using
Electro-Magnetic Transients Simulation’ IPST 2011, Delft, The
Netherlands.

8.4.3 Poster Publication

[11] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, A. M. Gole and P.C.

Kjær, “Negative Sequence Controllers to Reduce Power Oscillations
During Electric Faults in the Offshore Wind Power Grid,” in IEEE-PES
General Meeting 2010, Minneapolis. It was awarded the 1st prize in the
‘Graduate Student Poster Contest’, at IEEE PES GM 2010 in Minneapolis.

8.4.4 Paper Submitted to Journals

[12] S. K. Chaudhary, R. Teodorescu, P. Rodriguez, and A. M. Gole,

‘Negative Sequence Current Control in Wind Power Plants with VSC-
HVDC Connection.’ Submitted to IEEE Trans. of Sust. Energy on 24-Jun-
2011. [Manuscript ID TSTE-00344-2011].

***
 143

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***
 151

Appendix A - Main Circuit Parameters

A.1. Onshore Grid

Assuming a power factor of 0.9 gives system MVA of 444.44 MVA.

System base is taken as 450MVA

Angular Frequency,
Grid Impedance, ( )

A.2. Converter Transformer:

( ) ( )

No load losses=0.005 pu
Copper losses=0.005 pu

A.3. Tuned Shunt Filters:

A.3.1. Filter-I (39th harmonic)

152

A.3.2. Filter#2 parameters

Table A.1 Filter Impedance at the fundamental, 3rd harmonic and resonance

Impedance Impedance Impedance

at 50 Hz at 150 Hz at Resonance
Filter-I (39th harmonic) 1069.7Ω, -90° 354.7 Ω, -90° 1.1 Ω, -2.3°
th
Filter#2 (78 harmonic) 2140.4 Ω, -90° 712.5 Ω, -90° 4.5 Ω, -9.4°

A.4. Phase Reactor

A.5. VSC –HVDC System

( )
 153

A.6. DC cable parameters

Copper cable with 1.2 A per sq. mm current density is assumed. XLPE
insulation thickness of 12 mm is assumed for ±150kV DC cables.

( )

( )
Considering shielding by sheath at a radius of 30.8mm, the inductance is given by,

( )

A.7. 150kV AC cable parameters

There are two 2-km long 150-kV cables connecting the converter
transformer to the two plant step-up transformers at the collector bus. The
nominal power rating of the plant is 400 MW implies that each cable should
handle 200 MW. Further assuming a power factor of 0.9, each cable has to be
rated for,

Single core copper cable with 1200 mm2 cross section has been selected
from Table 4 of ABB XLPE cables data sheet. Cross bonded cable layout in
flat formation gives a maximum current carrying capacity of 850 A and 1050 A
for a temperature rise of 65°C and 90°C respectively. As per table 21, the
154

maximum dc resistance is 0.0151 Ω/km at 20°C. In flat formation, the cable

inductance is 0.5 mH/km and its capacitance is 0.26 F/km.

A.8. Plant step up transformer

Three-winding transformers have been considered as plant step-up

transformers.

A.9. Grounding Transformer

The zig-zag connected grounding transformers have been considered here

for the grounding of the medium voltage (MV) WTG cable feeders. The
transformer leakage reactance is assumed to be 0.1 pu, on a base of 100 MVA.
No load and core losses are assumed to 0.005 pu each.

A.10. L-C-L filter for WTG

The LCL filter was designed for the GSC of a 6.6 MVA WTG-FSC
operating at the 3.3kV rms ac line-line voltage. The LCL parameters were:

It has been scaled to an equivalent LCL filter for a 111MVA WTG-FSC

operating at the 3.3 kV RMS ac line-line voltage. This change will effectively
decrease the impedances by a factor of . The admittances will be
increased by the same factor. Thus, the new values are given by,
 155

A.11. WTG unit transformer

The unit transformer for the aggregated WTG have been selected with the following ratings:

( )
( )

A.12. WTG feeder cables

A typical layout of WTGs in a wind power plant is shown in Figure 3.7.

The WTG string can be made up of cables with increasing cross sections
depending upon the number of WTGs connected to it. In this case, two cross
sections have been considered for the cables.

Each WTG is rated for 6.7MW or 7.41MVA at 0.9 power factor.

Therefore, each WTG will supply a current of 118.7A in the 36 kV cable
strings. The combined current of the first two WTGs will be 237.4A, and hence
95 sq.mm core copper cable has been considered for the connection of first two
WTGs in the string. When the next two WTGs are connected, the total feeder
current becomes 474.7A. A 240 sq. mm cable has been selected for this section
of the WTG string. The combined current of all 5 WTGs is 593.4 A. Hence a
400 sq. mm cable section is used to connect the 5 WTG units with the collector
bus. It is assumed that there is a distance of 1km cable length between two
adjacent WTG units and between the collector bus and its adjacent WTG unit.

The cable selection is based upon the underground cable datasheet [A-2].
Considering a temperature rise of 65°C in cross-bonding and trefoil layout, the
current carrying capacities are 270A and 6590 A for the selected cables. It
should be updated with the submarine cable datasheet.
156

Cable parameters:

( )
( )
( )
For the equivalent cable string shown in Error! Reference source not found.(b), the
able parameters are given by,
∑

The parameters of the equivalent cable string is thus,

The parameters of the aggregated WTG feeder can be calculated by the

parallel combination of these strings, which gives the parameters of the
aggregated cable feeder as follows,

References:

[A-1] E. Muljadi, C.P. Butterfield, a Ellis, J. Mechenbier, J. Hochheimer, R.

Young, N. Miller, R. Delmerico, R. Zavadil, and J.C. Smith, “Equivalencing the
collector system of a large wind power plant,” 2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society
General Meeting, 2006, p. 9 pp.
[A-2] XLPE Cable Systems, User’s Guide, ABB Ltd

***

.
 157

Appendix B -Phase Transformations and

Sequence Components
The three phase voltage or current variables are assumed along three axes
separated in space by 120° so as to reflect their phase angle relationship. These
can be transformed into space phasors along the two orthogonal axes. The
Park’s and Clarke’s transformations are the two standard transformations.

B.1 Park’s Transformation

It transforms a three phase voltage (or current) to the two phase

components at quadrature in the synchronously rotating reference frame.


q

V
Vr
B Vd
Vq d
g
q V

A

Fig. B. 1 Three phases, and space vectors in stationary and rotating reference frames.

In most of the applications, the rotating reference frame is rotating at the

synchronous speed, .

(B.1)
(B.2)
( ) ( )
(B.3)
( ) ( ) ( )
(B.4)
158

( ) ( )

( ) ( )
(B.5)
[ ] [ ]
[ ]
or, [ ] [ ][ ]

The inverse transformation is given by,

[ ] [ ] [ ]

( ) ( )
(B.6)

[ ] [ ( ) ( ) ][ ]

In complex phasor notation,

{( ) } (B.7)
( )
{( ) } (B.8)
( )
{( ) } (B.9)

The coefficient 2/3 ensures that the magnitudes of and remain the
same as the peak magnitude of , for a balanced three phase system. This
transformation is not power invariant. The instantaneous power is given by,

[ ][ ] [ ][ ]
Or,
([ ] [ ]) ([ ] [ ])

[ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] ( ) (B.10)

8.5 Clarke’s Transformation

Clarke’s transformation transforms the phase variable in the stationary

frame of reference. The stationary reference frame has the two axes,
and the axis is aligned with the axis of phase ‘A’, i.e. Thus, the
 159

stationary reference frame components can be obtained by substituting

in (B.5).

(B.11)

[ ] [ ]
[ ]

The inverse Clarke’s transformation is given by,

(B.12)

[ ] [ ][ ]

8.6 Relationship between Park’s and Clarke’s

Transformations

The transformations between the rotating reference frame (Park’s

transformation) and the stationary reference frame, Clarke’s transformation are
given by,

( ) ( )

Or, [ ] [ ][ ] (B.13)

( ) ( )
(B.14)
Or, [ ] [ ][ ]
160

8.8 Relationship between the Sequence Components and

Clarke’s Transformation

From (B.11) we have,

[ ] [ ] [ ][ ] (B.15)
[ ]

In absence of the negative sequence components, we can write,

[ ] ( )[ ] [ ] (B.16)

Fortescue’s transformation relates the positive and negative sequence

components to the three-phase components by,

[ ] [ ][ ] [ ][ ] (B.17)

[ ] [ ][ ] [ ][ ] (B.18)

If Clarke’s transformation is applied on the positive sequence components

in the phase domain, we get the positive sequence components in the stationary
reference frame as follows,

[ ] [ ] [ ][ ] (B.19)
[ ]
From (B.18) and (B.19), we get

[ ] [ ][ ][ ] (B.20)

From (B.17) and (B.20), we get

 161

[ ] ( )[ ][ ][ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ][ ] (B.21)

where,

Similarly, the relationship between the negative sequence components and

the stationary reference frame components can be derived as,

[ ] ( )[ ][ ][ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ][ ] (B.22)

***
162

Appendix C - Design of a PI Controller for the

VSC-HVDC Controllers
Usually, the two terminals of a VSC-HVDC transmission system are
identical as they have to handle the same amount of active power at the same
voltage. The reactive power capabilities of the individual converter may differ
in some cases. In the VSC-HVDC transmission described in chapter 3, the
offshore grid converter establishes the ac reference voltage and frequency in
the offshore grid. The onshore VSC-HVDC terminal regulates the dc line
voltage and the ac voltage magnitude (or reactive power). In both cases, the
main control function which may be the control of dc voltage, ac voltage or the
reactive power, is implemented in the outer control loop. The outer controller
sets the desired current reference which is attained by the fast inner current
control loop. The block diagrams are given in Figure 3.14, 3.15 in Chapter 3.
Here the tuning of the proportional integral controllers is described. Fig. C-1
gives the block diagram of the PI controllers and the plant.

Inner PI controller Plant

Outer PI controller
− +
+ Σ +
Σ + Σ Σ
- − +
−

Inner Loop

Outer Loop

Fig. C. 1 Proportional-integral controller for the VSC-HVDC

C.1. Inner Current Loop

The plant comprises of a VSC connected to the filter bus through a phase
reactor with the inductance ( ) and resistance ( ) as given below,

(C.1)
 163

After the open loop poles get cancelled, the remaining open loop transfer
function is ( ). In this implementation, the controller gain, G, is
considered as unity. This means the VSC output is same as the controller
reference. The closed loop transfer function becomes,

( )
(C.2)

Switching frequency is 1950 Hz. The bandwidth is selected as half decade

lower than the switching frequency, i.e. 390 Hz (or 780 rad/sec). Hence,

(C.3)
( )

(C.4)

In PSCAD implementation of the PI controller, the parameters are given

by,

( ) (C.5)

C.2. Outer DC-Voltage Control Loop (considering

Ts=1/1950s)

After pole cancellation, the effective inner loop transfer function is

( ) Pole cancellation can be achieved by setting, s.

For the outer loop, the integral function ( ) is replaced by ( ), which

implies multiplication by the time period. Then the open loop transfer function
becomes, ( ) ( )
164

The close loop transfer function is, ( )

One decade lower bandwidth is selected at 19.5 Hz or ( ).

( )

In PSCAD implementation, and

C.3. Reactive power control loop

For the reactive power control loop, the open loop transfer function is

( ) The close loop transfer function becomes ( ).

Here, half-decade lower bandwidth is selected at 39 Hz or ( ),

on the basis of trial.

( ) 0.00048 for 170 kV base.

for 170 kV ac bus voltage.

C.4. Offshore ac voltage controller tuning

Neglecting the current injection from the WPP, the filter bus voltage and the
current are related by the phase equation,

Park’s transformation gives,

 165

If the cross coupling terms are ignored, and the current is considered

constant for a switching cycle, the current to voltage gain is

The open loop transfer function is, ( )

( ) ( )

The closed loop transfer function becomes, ( )

Half decade lower bandwidth is selected at 39 Hz or ( ).

( )

Table C. 1 PI controller parameters : Calculated values, and the values used in PSCAD
simulation.

Calculated
Control Loop Parameters Parameters used
Kp Ti Kp Ti
Current Control 60.1 0.0068 47.3 0.0068
Negative Sequence Current
controller 60.1 0.0068 60 1.0
Dc voltage controller 0.0094 0.0433 0.0056 0.0721
Reactive power controller 0.0005 0.850 0.0005 0.850
AC voltage controller 0.001 0.476 0.001 0.349

***

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