2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)
Review and Development of MMC Employed
in VSC-HVDC Systems
Hadi Alyami, Yasser Mohamed
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Alyami@ualberta.ca

Abstract—The business case for MMC-HVDC is becoming
popular in power transmission systems. Despite their superior
potential compared to the AC and LLC-HVDC technologies,
MMC-MTDC grid is yet to be efficiently realised in practice.
Operation, control and modelling in such VSC-based schemes are
arguably the most challenging research and development problems
that academia and industry are presently engaged in. This paper
endeavours to review the VSC technology on HVDC applications.
Simulation cases of two-terminal symmetrical monopole
point-to-point MMC-HVDC that later upgraded to three-terminal
radial-configured MMC-HVDC are developed on PSCAD/EMTDC
to argue the review and to show the flexibility of MMC-HVDC
schemes upon severe transient conditions.
Index Terms—VSC Technology; MMC-HVDC, HVDC
modelling and control schemes, MMC.
I. INTRODUCTION
The escalation in electrical power demand and relatedly the
power generation results in a new load-flow pattern that is
deemed difficult to accommodate; particularly in ultra-electric
networks that reside in North America and Europe [1]-[3]. The
transmission system reinforcements in the AC systems and
often the conventional method to construct an Ultra
High-Voltage AC lines over the existing transmission systems
are such approaches that can handle the ever-increased power
demand/generation pattern. However, the experience of the last
fifty years indicates that such approaches are either time and/or
effort consuming and/or can jurisdictionally be voided [2].
Therefore, the High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links has
not only overcome the challenges of transmitting bulk of
electric power over long distances, but are also being evident to
resolve the current AC networks environmental and
economical challenges along with the technical challenges of
power flow control, stability, power quality and asynchronous
interconnection. In this respect, the conventional power
systems have been effectively enhanced in both reliability and
functionality upon the introduction of the HVDC links and this
includes many power systems related applications that are
depicted in Fig. 1.
HVDC links allow for a reduction of losses in long distance
transmission, a possibility of interconnecting asynchronous
power systems and undersea power transmission [3]. However,
the massive installation of renewable energies provides an
opportunity of deprecating the classical point-to-point
connections in favour of the concept of multi-terminal DC
(MTDC) schemes. MTDC is seen as the solution to the massive
integration of renewable energies and large interconnection of
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1. OHLs transmission of bulk power.
2. Sea cables transmission of bulk
power.
3. Control of power over an HVDC
link with back-to-back configuration.
4. Asynchronous back-to-back HVDC
configuration.
5. Remote areas (different countries)
interconnected through MTDC
network.
6. Interconnecting remote renewable
energy sources to the main grid.
7. Incorporating VSC technology as
MMC-HVDC link.
8. Since reactive power is not
transmitted through a DC link, AC
systems can be linked through a
HVDC link.
Figure 1: Different HVDC utilisations within power systems
power systems, while increasing the reliability of the system by
providing redundancy in paths and allowing a greater power
exchange capability [2]. However, the technology is still under
development and knowledge is superficial. The study of MTDC
schemes that incorporates MMC topologies is a motive in this
paper for the reason that MTDC is seemingly superior to the
conventional HVDC links, and yet the later is still dominating
the industry. This is due to a number of challenges including
different aspects of modelling, control, operation and
optimisation of MMC-MTDC schemes are yet to be
investigated. The integration of MMC-HVDC into
low-impedance AC grids, where the frequency is grid-tied is
the endeavour of this paper. This allows a trigging investigation
of the AC systems interaction with DC systems. The
constructed MMC-HVDC schemes along with the developed
control strategies and modelling techniques are exclusively
proof-tested using PSCAD/EMTDC.
II. FLEXIBILITY CONCEPT APPLIED TO HVDC
The traditional practice of a HVDC scheme is bulk power
transmission over long distances because there is no a stability
constrain related to the amount of power or the transmission
distance, which exists in the AC transmission mainly due to the
increase of reactive power consumption and capacitive current
loss [2]-[4]. However, HVDC as a technology finds great deal
of applications, wherein it plays major role as shown in Fig. 1.
A. LCC Technology and VSC Technology
LLC-HVDC is a thyristor-based CSC topology, where the
direction of the current in the DC link does not change [2]. For a
VSC-HVDC, the voltage polarity in the DC link stays
unchanged [3] Although VSC attributes as being less mature
 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)

than LLC, interest in VSC is increasing as it offers benefits so that each step in voltage waveform is a fraction of the total
depicted in Fig. 2. voltage swing [5]. Moreover, the switching frequency of each
No need for extra As the distance of the individual power electronics switch is smaller than that of a
Rapid and compensating tools; Q can transmission lines two-level converter. The voltage step at each level is smaller.
independent be controlled at both increase, a mean of Q
control of P and terminals independently of power compensation is
These two factors result in a reduced switching loss [3].
Q the DC transmission voltage required to make up the
level capacitive loss Single-phase/DC [11], [56] Three-phase/DC [33] Three-phase/three phase (back-to-back) [41]

Commutation Can be reduced or even Common failure in

failures avoided when using IGBTs thyristor-based systems
Interconnection Not viable to interconnect
VSC can work
to weak AC to weak hots AC network
independently of any AC
networks without other power
source
(SCR<2) technologies incorporation
VSC is used to synthesise a
balanced set of three phase
Black start Not practicable
voltages as a virtual
synchronous generator MMC topologies according to the interconnection function
Recent advanced MMC topologies
VSC-HVDC LCC-HVDC
Figure 2: VSC-HVDC advantages over LLC-HVDC

Although VSC-HVDC is seemingly solving the most severe Hexagonal

MMC [43], [72]
challenges that LLC-HVDC suffers from, they still cannot offer
an economical solution at a power ≤500 MW, given the high
cost of multiple conversion units and cables required. The
choice among LLC-HVDC, VSC-HVDC and AC systems is
then influenced by the amount of power transmitted and the
distance [5]. Middle-cell MMC [80] Alternate arm MMC [32] Hybrid MMC [56] Matrix MMC [11]

Figure 4: Modular Multi-level cells arrangements according to the

B. Configuration of HVDC Networks interconnection function

VSC-HVDC Configurations
The Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) use a stack of
identical modules, each provides one step in the resulting
Monopolar Bipolar Back-to-Back Multi-terminals
multilevel AC waveform [4]. The topology is easily adaptable
to any voltage level, as the number of modules can be adjusted
Monopole system
with ground Back-to-Back Parallel Multiterminal in proportion to the selected DC voltage. The resulting
system

Bipole system with

system
waveform has a very small harmonic content and has reduced
metallic return
transient voltage stresses, and hence lower high frequency
Monopole system
with metallic return Series Multiterminal noise. Fig. 4 elucidates such trend.
system

III. VSC POWER TRANSFER MECHANISM

Bipole system with metallic
return and asymmetrical
monopolar tapping
Point-to-point VSC-HVDC
Point-to-point system The main inherent feature that VSC-based topologies
containing two VSC units
system containing two VSC interconnected via two DC
units interconnected via a DC
bus
buses
possess is their ability to provide four-quadrant voltage and
Connection of an current transfer at the VSC units’ terminals as shown in Fig. 5
asymmetrical monopole
converter to a Bipolar [2]. Thus, it is paramount to discuss the simple power transfer
Bipole system with metallic
Multi-terminal Point-to-
point VSC-HVDC system
containing three VSC
Point-to-point system
containing three VSC
units interconnected via
mechanism that VSC-based links own. A purely inductive line
return and symmetrical
monopolar tapping
units interconnected via a
DC bus
three DC buses
interfacing two ideal voltage sources V1 and V2, which can be a
Figure 3: HVDC networks arrangements via various VSC units’ representative of either synchronous system nodes or
configurations generators, is depicted in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the I/V capability
Converter stations based on VSC technology can be realised for a single-phase two-level VSC topology is also shown in Fig.
in many configurations, where the objective in the system’s 5.
integration is to assure a bidirectional power flow [2]. Fig. 3 Power transfer mechanism −𝑄
summarises the main VSC converter arrangements that a in power systems Inversion Rectification

specific VSC-HVDC network can be resembled as, and it Power transfer

concept in
𝑉1 ∠𝛿 𝑉2 ∠0
−𝑃 𝑉 +𝑃

shows the broad freedom of assembling VSC units into a VSC-based 𝐼

Io

Rectification Inversion
systems Power flows from Power flows from
HVDC network [1]-[5].
𝑋 𝐼2 ∠𝛿 +𝑄 AC to DC DC to AC
On-element: D2 On-element: S1

C. MMC Conversion
VDC/2 Vo-VAo
S1 D1

It is realised that an approach to improving the waveform and Io

Vo-VAo Inversion
Power flows from
Rectification
Power flows from

reducing switching losses of two-level or three-level VDC/2 S2 D2 DC to AC AC to DC

On-element: S2 On-element: D1

VSC-based HVDC topologies is to use multilevel converters,

which provide an output waveform with several voltage levels Figure 5: VSC power transfer capability

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 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)

The operating condition is also depicted in Fig. 5 so that 𝑉1 𝑉𝑑⁄ 𝑑𝐼𝑙𝑎

𝑉𝑎 = 𝑉𝑙𝑎 − 2 + 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝐼𝑙𝑎 (7)
leads 𝑉2 by a power angle (𝛿), and the current at terminal-2
(𝐼2 ) lags 𝑉2 by a power factor angle (∅). Considering 𝑉2 as a 𝐼 𝐼 𝐼 𝐼
Where 𝐼𝑢𝑎 = 𝑑⁄3 + 𝑎⁄2 + 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐. and 𝐼𝑙𝑎 = 𝑑⁄3 − 𝑎⁄2 +
phase reference, the subsequent equations can be derived as: 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐. It is clear that the arm currents comprise three main
components. The circulating current Icirc. reflects the unequal
𝐼2 𝑋 𝑐𝑜𝑠(∅) = 𝑉1 sin(𝛿) (1)
VDC generated by the three MMC legs. Substituting (6) and (7)
𝐼2 𝑋 𝑠𝑖𝑛(∅) = 𝑉1 cos(𝛿) − 𝑉2 (2) into (4) and (5), then summing the resultant expressions
From Eqs. (1) and (2), the active power (P) and reactive power
(Q) transfers are 𝑉𝑙𝑎 − 𝑉𝑢𝑎 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑑𝐼𝑎 𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚
𝑉𝑎 = − − 𝐼 (8)
2 2 𝑑𝑡 2 𝑎
𝑉1 𝑉2 sin(𝛿)
𝑃 = 𝑉2 𝐼2 cos(∅) = (3)
𝑋 From (8), it can be assured that the MMC phase voltages are
𝑉2 (𝑉1 sin(𝛿) − 𝑉2 ) controlled through altering the lower and upper arm voltages.
𝑄 = 𝑉2 𝐼2 sin(∅) = (4)
𝑋 Each MMC arm comprises several SMs (n). The SM capacitor
voltage is defined by (9), presuming the SM capacitance is
IV. MMC MODELLING adequately large to neglect ripple voltage as well as
well-balanced capacitor voltages
SM1 SM1 SM1

SM2 SM2 SM2

𝑉𝑑
𝑉𝑐 = (9)
𝑛
SMn SMn SMn

Phase reactor VDC The voltage produced by an MMC arm is equivalent to n in the
Phase
Unit arm, which are turned-on, multiplied by VC shown in (7) and
VSM ISM VC
(8). Incorporating suitable control of the SMs, the output phase
Sub- and voltage can be independently controlled. The voltage levels
Multi-
module
valve that an MMC can produce at its output is equivalent to the
SM1 SM1 SM1
number of SMs in a single arm plus one
SM2 SM2 SM2
𝑉𝑢𝑎 = 𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑎 𝑉𝑐 (10)
SMn SMn SMn

𝑉𝑙𝑎 = 𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑎 𝑉𝑐 (11)

Figure 6: Three phase MMC generic scheme for N-level arrangement
Fig. 7 shows four possible methods of modelling an MMC
Each arm shown in Fig. 6 will behave as a controllable converter, where the type of study is based on the level of
voltage source with a high number of possible discrete voltage accuracy and details required.
steps, where a single controllable voltage source is composed
of a large number (between several tenths to several hundred)
of sub-modules connected in series as shown in Fig. 6. The
DC-side model is derived using the principle of power balance,
meaning the power on the AC side must be equal to the power
on the DC side plus the converter losses [2].
𝑃𝐴𝐶 = 𝑃𝐷𝐶 + 𝑃𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 (5)
The Sub-Module (SM) terminal voltage V SM is identical to
the SM capacitor voltage VC, when the lower switching valve is
turned-off and the upper switching valve is turned-on; AVM Model

depending on the arm current direction, the capacitor will

charge or discharge. With the lower switching valve turned on, Switching

and the upper witching valve turned off, the SM capacitor is Detailed Equivalent
Circuit Model
Function Model

bypassed resulting in 0V. Therefore, each arm behaves as a

controllable voltage source with the least voltage alteration
being equivalent to the SM capacitor voltage. Phase a converter Full Detailed
Model
voltage can be expressed as refereed to Fig. 6 as
They can be simulated using EMT-based tools (PSCAD, SimuLink or SimPower)

𝑉 𝑑𝐼𝑢𝑎
𝑉𝑎 = 𝑑⁄2 − 𝑉𝑢𝑎 − 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 − 𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝐼𝑢𝑎 (6) Figure 7: Physical representation of a VSC-HVDC system with different
𝑑𝑡 modells
In detailed equivalent model, the series-connected SMs are
detached from each arm, divided and driven by a current source

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 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)

with a value equal to Iarm. A controllable voltage source (Varm) [3]. The former group comprises a Q-controller and AC voltage
substitutes the SMs as proposed in [5] with a value given by controller, whereas the latter includes a P-controller and DC
voltage controller. The AC frequency controller was applied to
𝑛
regulate the grid-tied VSC applications that is a weak AC
𝑉𝑎𝑟𝑚 = ∑ 𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑖 (12) system forming an offshore oil platform.
𝑖=1 It is paramount noting that not all the controllers can be used
simultaneously. Only one from each category (P/Q power
V. CONTROL SCHEME channel) can be used at a given time, depending on the network
A simplified schematic diagram for the three-phase MMC configuration and the system specifications.
control scheme is depicted in Fig. 8. In the magnitude invariant synchronous reference frame with
the q-axis aligned with Va, P and Q power flow at PCC can be
P*
Outer-loop I* Current Vc* + V*
Nearest expressed as (15) and (16), respectively. Feed-forward
Level
controller controller - controllers are implemented to set Iq and Id values to control P
Q* Controller Gate
Signal
and Q, respectively
Vdiff* 3
Capacitor 𝑃 = (𝑉𝑠𝑑 𝐼𝑑 ) (15)
Icirc.* =0 CCSC Balancing 2
Controller
3
𝑄 = − (𝑉𝑠𝑑 𝐼𝑞 ) (16)
VSM Iarm 2

Figure 8: Simplified MMC control scheme C. Circulating Current Suppressing Controller (CCSC)
A. Current Controller This current is seen as a negative-sequence (a-c-b) current at
The impedance between the AC side system voltage Vs(abc) twice the fundamental frequency [2]. It leads to increasing the
and the internal voltage control variables Vc(abc)is visualised in rms of the arm current resulting in high converter losses [5].
Fig. 9. Therefore, CCSC is implemented to suppress it by regulating
the voltage across the arm impedance. This scheme of CCSC
Iabc L R controller is firstly proposed in [5]. The DC voltage can be
PCC
defined by (17), when using phase a as an example.
Substituting (6) and (7) into (17) and then rearranging results in
Vc(abc) Vs(abc) 𝑉𝑑 = 𝑉𝑢𝑎 + 𝐼𝑢𝑎 (𝑅 + 𝐿𝑝 ) + 𝑉𝑙𝑎 + 𝐼𝑙𝑎 (𝑅 + 𝐿𝑝 ) (17)
Figure 9:MMC phase a connection to the AC side
𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 = 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 (𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚 + 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑝 ) (18)
𝑉𝑑 𝑉𝑢𝑎 +𝑉𝑙𝑎 𝐼𝑑
Eq. (13) defines the correlation between Vc(abc) and Vc(abc)for Where 𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 = − and 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 = + 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑎 .
2 2 3
the three phases Eq. (17) for three phases in a matrix can be expressed as (19).
𝑑𝐼𝑎𝑏𝑐
𝑉𝑐𝑠(𝑎𝑏𝑐) = 𝐿 + 𝑅𝐼𝑎𝑏𝑐 (13) Applying the transform to (19) leads to (20). The zero-sequence
𝑑𝑡
𝐿 quantities hold no effects on the q-axis and d-axis values and, as
Where 𝑉𝑐𝑠(𝑎𝑏𝑐) = 𝑉𝑐(𝑎𝑏𝑐) − 𝑉𝑠(𝑎𝑏𝑐) , 𝐿 = 𝑎𝑟𝑚 + 𝐿 𝑇 , and 𝑅 =
𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚
2 such, the use of Icirc. in
+ 𝑅𝑇 . Eq. (12) in the dq frame gives (14), where p= d/dt. 𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑎
2
𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 𝐼𝑑 0 −1 𝐼𝑑 𝑉 𝐼 𝐼
[ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑏 ] = 𝑅 [ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑏 ] + 𝐿𝑝 [ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑏 ] (19)
[ 𝑉 ] = 𝑅 [𝐼 ] + 𝐿𝑝 [𝐼 ] + 𝜔𝐿 [ ][ ] (14)
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 1 0 𝐼𝑞 𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑐 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑐 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑐
This current controller is depicted in Fig. 10 and is a
𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑑 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑑 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑑
fast-feedback decoupled controller that generates a voltage [𝑉 ] = 𝑅𝑎𝑟𝑚 [𝐼 ] + 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑝 [𝐼 ]
reference for the converter depends on the current set-point 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑞 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑞 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑞
from the outer-loop control [5]. 0 −2𝜔𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑑
+[ ] [𝐼 ] (20)
Vsd 2𝜔𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 0 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.𝑞
Îd
I*d PI
A dq decoupled CCSC controller is employed with the 𝐼𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐.
∗
𝑑𝑞

ωL reference values set to zero as depicted in Fig. 11.

Id abc Vc(abc)*
Iabc dq

abc dq Îd
Iq
ωL Icirc-d*=0 PI

I*q PI 2ωL
abc Vdiff(abc)*
Îq Idiff(abc) dq Icirc-d
Vsq Icirc-q
abc dq

Figure 10: Current controller in dq frame 2ωL

Icirc-q*=0 PI
B. Upper-level Controller Îq
This group of controllers can be split into two main
categories: reactive power channel and active power channel Figure 11: CCSC controller scheme

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 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)
Capacitor balancing controller (CBC) warrants that the
energy imbalance in each MMC arm is allocated equally among
the SMs within that arm. The employed CBC is based on [6],
which has initially shaped the basis for many subsequent
capacitor balancing controllers for MMC-HVDC.
D. Nearest Level Controller
The Nearest Level control strategy has been proposed for
converters with an arbitrary number of voltage levels [5] and
[6]. The main idea lies in deciding the number of cells to be
inserted and bypassed based on the comparison of the
modulating signal Vref(t)with the voltage steps that represent
idealised cell capacitor voltages. For MMC, assuming that the
cell voltages are constant, 𝑉𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 (𝑡) = 𝑉𝐷𝐶 ⁄𝑁 ,the converter arms
can generate one of the N+1 discrete voltage levels (0, 𝑉𝐷𝐶 ⁄𝑁,
2𝑉𝐷𝐶 ⁄𝑁 ,… 𝑉𝐷𝐶 ). The number of SMs to be inserted and
bypassed can be calculated as
1 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑓 (𝑡)
𝑛𝑜𝑛,𝑢 = 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 [𝑁 ( − )] , 𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓,𝑢 = 𝑁 − 𝑛𝑜𝑛,𝑢 (21)
2 𝑉𝐷𝐶
1 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑓 (𝑡)
𝑛𝑜𝑛,𝑙 = 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 [𝑁 ( + )] , 𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓,𝑙 = 𝑁 − 𝑛𝑜𝑛,𝑙 (22)
2 𝑉𝐷𝐶
VI. SIMULATION
Figure 12: Symmetrical monopolar two-terminal point-to-point
MMC-HVDC scheme with VCC control
Figure 13: Three-terminal radial-configured MMC-HVDC scheme
Analysis of the interactions of two terminals MMC-HVDC
gives substantial information on the characteristics of a
multi-terminal MMC-HVDC scheme employing various
control strategies. The scheme has expanded to include a
deep-sea oil platform leading to an MTDC scheme in radial
arrangement. This allows performance comparison and also
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shows the inherent expandability feature of VSC-HVDC links,
which is not the case in LCC-HVDC links.
The three-terminal scheme comprises similar control
structure as the two-terminalscheme with the exception of the
added MMC station that is connected to a weak AC grid and is
required to provide the offshore AC grid voltage and frequency.
Therefore, in the converter control system, by directly setting
the magnitude and frequency, the performance of the offshore
converter can be guaranteed through V/f control (islanded).
As mentioned, the power flow is determined by the voltage
differences between each MMC station terminals. A power
imbalance will result in DC voltage excursion, which is similar
to the frequency fluctuation on AC grids. Therefore, in order to
ensure power balancing and dynamical support, DC network
stability and transient responses, it is advisable for rectifiers or
inverters operating in power control, where the power
references are automatically adjusted with DC voltage
variation, in which 𝑃* is the new real power reference, 𝑃*𝑠𝑒𝑡
and 𝑉𝐷𝐶,𝑠𝑒𝑡are the original set points, 𝑉𝐷𝐶,𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠 represents
measured DC voltage. For the AC bus linked two converters,
only one of which needs to have 𝑉𝐴𝐶 droop controller. Table. 2
summarises the control data of the schemes shown in Fig.12.
Table 2: Fig. 12 control data
MMC Control Mode
Onshore System A Q*= 0MVAR VDC*= ±200 kV
(1p.u)
Offshore System B AC Slack
P*= -400 MW (VDC= Q*= 0MVAR (VAC=
1p.u) 1p.u)
There should be at least one converter working as a slack
bus, which maintains DC voltage that then determines the
power flow between terminals [5]. This slack-bus converter
should be connected to a strong AC system, where in such case
A is considered as the slack bus in the system as such B will be a
real power controller. The set points of VDC reference could be
from 0.99𝑝𝑢 to 0.98𝑝𝑢, when taking power flow into account.
Table 3: Fig. 13 control data
MMC Control Mode
Offshore System A P*= -500 MW VDC*= ±200 kV
(1p.u)
Q*= 0MVAR
Onshore System B AC Slack
P*= 500 MW (VDC= Q*= 0MVAR
1p.u) (VAC= 1p.u)
Offshore System C Islanded Mode
The MMC stations control and set-points shown in Table. 3
confirm that the onshore AC system operates at P/VDC droop
control and injects 500MW on the AC grid. The offshore
windfarm plant controls P and injects 500MW on the DC-link.
The deep sea Oil platform operates at V/f mode (islanded) and
absorbs 100MW. It is clear that MMC stations impose control
modes with either PQ or VDC regulators in the outer-loop and
current regulators in the inner-loop through utilising PI
controllers. The following simulation investigate the transient
behaviour upon malfunctioning setting points.
 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE)

Line to
ground
fault

DC link voltage maintained

during the disturbance and
indicated variations due to power VDC Onshore
VDC Offshore
injection and absorb between
terminals
Injecting P
into AC grid DC-link voltage behaviour to a
three-phase fault (ABC-G) at (B) AC
bus took place at 0.8sec

Figure 14: Dynamic response of stations (A) and (B) to a three-phase fault (ABC-G) at (B) AC bus took place at 0.8se

Injecting P
into AC grid Station
Injecting P trip
into DC-link
Figure 15: System behaviour following permanent trip of station (B): AC voltages at PPC VAC-A= 220kV and VAC-B, C= 120kV; Primary side
AC currents at AC buses Iprim; L-L rms voltages areVrmsA= 380kV and VrmsB,C= 145Kv; Pmeas and Qmeas are the measured active and reactive
powers at the respective AC bus
Fig. 14 shows a three phase to ground metallic fault on the
AC side terminal of the onshore MMC station shown in Fig. 12
between the AC system and the converter station. It can be
observed that B is promptly blocked following the fault, given
the excessive current flow on the primary side of the
transformer. Nevertheless, as the secondary side of the
transformer at B is in Yg/Δ connection, the converter unit is still
able to maintain the DC voltage as A is deemed separate from B.
It can also be noticed in Fig. 14 that the waveform of the
measured P on both sides of MMC stations A and B are nearly
identical; the amount of Q, which is delivered by B is likewise
to the amount of Q that is received at A, whilst the difference of
the signs is indicative for the sending (+) and receiving (-) ends.
On the other hand, Q is kept unchanged at zero, but following
the disturbance and while the operation of B starts returning to
its steady state operation, an approximate of 100 MVAR is
absorbed by B, while MMC station Q is kept at zero.
The three-terminal scheme fault scenario is a permanent trip
applied to the wind farm plant by force blocking the MMC
valves. The fault shown in Fig. 15 takes place at 1.3sec and is
cleared at 1.75sec. It is clear that the faulty wind farm station B
is taken out of service immediately, upon which the AC grid
starts injecting P to the DC-link instead of absorbing. This is an
attempt to maintain the operation of the system. The Oil
Normal Station
operatio trip
n
C.B closed
DC-link voltage at the DC buses of
stations (A), (B) and (C) and the
DC power at each respective
station during permanent trip of
station (B)
platform is then supported by the AC grid and the DC-link
voltage kept within the operational range of 0.95pu to 1.05pu.
the system returns back to its steady state operation
immediately following the fault clearance.
VII. CONCLUSION
The present state and experience of the VSC-HVDC
networks has been reviewed in this paper. The review shows
the VSC flexibility compared to LLC and also confirms the
realisation of MTDC through MMC-based schemes simulation.
The terminals expandability of VSC schemes has been
exhibited through adopting a three-terminal radial-configured
scheme expanded from a two-terminal symmetrical monopole
scheme. The dynamical performance for the adopted schemes
shows the inherent functionalities and limitations posed on
specific VSC-HVDC networks.
References
[1] L. Liu, "Control Strategies of VSC Converter for MTDC Network
Transient Studies," Transmission and Distribution Engineering and
Technology, vol. 03, no. 03, pp. 38–46, 2014.
[2] Y. Yang, D. Jovcic, J. Jardini, H. Saad, “The CEGRE B4 DC Grid Test
System” Cigre Journal, B4.57 and B4.58, Paris, 2014.
[3] R. Iravani and A. Yazdani, Voltage-sourced converters in power
systems. United States: Wiley, John & Sons, 2010.
[4] Cigre Technical brochure 269, “VSC Transmission” WG B4.37, Paris,
April 2005
[5] Cigre Technical brochure 604, “Guide for the Development of Models
for HVDC Converters in a HVDC Grid”, WG B4.57, Paris, December
2014.

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