Placement of HVDC links for power grid stabilization during transients

Abstract

This work concerns the planning of the future power grid. In particular, it discusses the selection of placements for High Voltage Direct Current links (HVDC) in a meshed AC power system, but the methods presented can also be applied to other controlled power system components such as Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) or Power System Stabilizers (PSS). Among the multiple competing objectives during the selection of the location for a new HVDC link, the focus is on the performance enhancement during power grid transients. A grid performance measure accounts for general disturbances occurring in the power system using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). It also includes global limitations of the power system and the HVDC links and, as required for the decision process, has a physical interpretation. The approach is illustrated with two case studies, a small power system of two areas and a larger model of the central European power grid. The achievable performance is compared to an economic measure, given by the length of evaluated DC links. The HVDC locations suggested for these systems allow for a significantly improved damping and the stabilization during transients.