Grid Code-Dependent Frequency Control Optimization in Multi-Terminal DC Networks

• Main Authors: Melanie Hoffmann, Harold R. Chamorro, Marc René Lotz, José M. Maestre, Kumars Rouzbehi, Francisco Gonzalez-Longatt, Michael Kurrat, Lazaro Alvarado-Barrios, Vijay K. Sood
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: MTDC; frequency control; fast frequency control; low-inertia; wind power; grid code
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/24/6485

The increasing deployment of wind power is reducing inertia in power systems. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology can help to improve the stability of AC areas in which a frequency response is required. Moreover, multi-terminal DC (MTDC) networks can be optimized to distribute active power to several AC areas by droop control setting schemes that adjust converter control parameters. To this end, in this paper, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to improve the primary frequency response in AC areas considering several grid limitations and constraints. The frequency control uses an optimization process that minimizes the frequency nadir and the settling time in the primary frequency response. Secondly, another layer is proposed for the redistribution of active power among several AC areas, if required, without reserving wind power capacity. This method takes advantage of the MTDC topology and considers the grid code limitations at the same time. Two scenarios are defined to provide grid code-compliant frequency control.