Combination Optimization Configuration Method of Capacitance and Resistance Devices for Suppressing DC Bias in Transformers

• Main Authors: Donghui Wang, Chunming Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: capacitance blocking device; DC bias; optimal configuration; resistance current limiting device
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/9/1813

The ground current of a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system can cause DC bias in transformers near the grounding electrode during monopole operations, which affects the alternating current (AC) power system operation. Owing to multiple bias current flow paths, a capacitance blocking device installed at the neutral point of a transformer may increase the DC bias in adjacent transformers, while suppressing the DC current in that transformer. This paper introduces the use of an effective bias current indicator to describe the effect of the grounding current on transformers in a network, considering the wiring characteristics of the autotransformers and the power system topology. Additionally, a combination optimization method for the capacitance and resistance is applied in order to determine the minimum number of installed devices that restrict the maximum effective bias current throughout the network to a permissible range. A genetic algorithm based on an improved roulette selection method is adopted to solve the optimal configuration problem. The method is validated by using a test case based on the Xizhe HVDC transmission receiving-end grid near the Jinsi grounding electrode. The configuration of the capacitance and resistance was optimized by the improved genetic algorithm. This method can achieve the desired level of DC bias management with fewer devices than the conventional method, which verifies the feasibility and superiority of the proposed optimization method.