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63
technical brochure 697
Commissioning of VSC HVDC systems

Members
L. Brand, Convenor (AU), J. Leman, Secretary (US), J. Loncle (FR),
T. Magg (SA), A. Alefragkis (NE), T. Midtsund (NO), P. Bermel (DE), M. Minchin (UK),
S. Cole (BE), K. ou (CN), G. Drobnjak (DE), D. Russell (US),
A. Gunatilake (UK), T. Sakai (JP), D. Kell (CA), K. Sharifabadi (NO), N. Kirby (US),
J. Varnander (SE)
Corresponding Members
M. Mihalchuk (CA), J. Velasquez (DE), R. Poole (UK), D.W. Yoo (KR),
B.D. Railing (US)

Introduction The activities of the Working Group were focused on a

Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology has emerged
as a commercially viable alternative to Line Commutated
Converter (LCC) technology for certain applications of
HVDC power transmission. With the first commercial
VSC projects commissioned in the late 1990s, at the time
of the development of this Technical Brochure there was
over fifteen years of project and operational experience
with the VSC technology. VSC has become the preferred, if
not the only, choice of technology for specific applications,
including low power transfer applications, the connection
of weak networks, offshore wind farm connections and
HVDC grid developments.
typical two terminal, “point to point” VSC HVDC system.
Some commentary regarding multi-terminal systems is
included, although at the time of the development of the
Technical Brochure there has been limited experience with
the commissioning of multi-terminal VSC HVDC systems.
The Technical Brochure provides a practical guideline
for the testing and commissioning of VSC HVDC schemes
including a description of each stage of commissioning,
management of the commissioning process, tests to be carried
out, training opportunities, documentation and approaches
to deal with practical limitations to testing on site.

Commissioning occurs during the latter stages of an
HVDC project. It allows the HVDC supplier to verify and
demonstrate the performance of the installed equipment,
the functional completeness of the system and compliance
with the requirements of the relevant contracts and
specifications. Commissioning also allows adjustments and
optimisation to the HVDC control and protection (C&P)
systems to be made and allows the owners, developers and/
or end-user of the HVDC system to witness and be satisfied
that the project and operational requirements have been
demonstrated.
The process of commissioning VSC projects has developed
over the first fifteen years of its commercial operation, based
initially on a similar process for commissioning LCC HVDC
projects (i.e. CIGRE Technical Brochure 97) and expanded
upon and modified by the suppliers of VSC technology.
Whilst there are many similarities in the processes and
procedures for commissioning the two technologies, there
are some notable and significant differences that justified
the need for a separate Technical Brochure covering the
commissioning requirements for VSC projects.
Stages and sequence of VSC
commissioning
During commissioning of an HVDC project, the HVDC
equipment is verified in groups and in conjunction with the
converter control and protection (C&P) systems. Usually,
this commissioning process can be divided into major stages
as shown in the figure 1.
The three major stages addressed in the Technical Brochure
and in this article are:
 Factory tests (off-site tests)
 Subsystem tests; and
 System tests
The sequence of testing at site would typically start at
the local level with tests within each converter terminal
performed and completed before moving on to the remote
converter terminals, the complete HVDC transmission
system and any interfaces such as SCADA and remote
control systems. •••

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Figure 1 - Major stages of Commissioning
Factory testing
Prior to delivering the HVDC C&P system to site, the
correct functioning and performance of the C&P system
hardware and software needs to be verified before connection
to the actual a.c. system. This is achieved through off-site
factory tests that incorporate simulations and results from
the Dynamic Performance Study (DPS) completed prior to
testing.
 Dynamic Performance Study (DPS) – The DPS is
completed prior to factory testing, but simulations and
results are used as a benchmark during factory testing. The
DPS typically comprises various energisation scenarios,
transient cases and fault cases and evaluates how the
HVDC system interacts with the simulated a.c. system.
The DPS is carried out using EMT-type software together
with a comprehensive EMT-type model, in which the
equivalent a.c. system and the HVDC system, including
a representation of the actual control and protection
software, are modelled.
 Factory testing of the C&P systems - This comprises
a series of tests of the project specific C&P hardware
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and software focusing on switching sequences, signal
verifications, and dynamic performance. The performance
of the control and protection system is tested in full at the
supplier’s premises whereas only a subset of the HVDC
system’s performance can be demonstrated on-site as
it is impractical to initiate the full range of operational
and dynamic conditions, such as a.c. system faults on the
actual power network. This testing is carried out with the
C&P cubicles connected to a real-time simulator where an
adequate representation of the a.c. system and its dynamic
behaviour is necessary.
Subsystem testing
Subsystem tests prove the correct interconnection and
functioning of individual equipment within a functional
group (or subsystem) and demonstrate that these items
operate and interact correctly. Typical subsystems which
are tested include cabling systems, a.c. protections and
interlocking, main circuit equipment, VSC valves, control and
protection systems and other auxiliary systems (including
cooling systems, auxiliary power, fire systems, air handling
systems and ground electrode systems).
The scope of subsystem testing, test procedures
and acceptance criteria are supplier specific and the
recommendations of the supplier will often drive these
tests.
System testing
System tests are typically comprised of the following key
testing activities:
 High voltage energisation;
 Terminal tests (also referred to as STATCOM tests);
 Transmission tests;
 Operation and integration tests;
 Power quality and interference tests; and
 A.c. network and remote generation interaction tests.
The first three tests are typically undertaken sequentially.
The last three are typically scheduled during appropriate
times during the terminal tests and transmission tests. It
is advisable to carry out as many of the integration tests as
possible during terminal operation as each converter terminal
can be tested independently. During transmission tests, more
coordination between converter terminals is required which
introduces an element of complexity.
The scope of a typical systems test process for a VSC HVDC
system is shown diagrammatically in the figure 2.
Before the commencement of system testing, operational
preparedness for energisation is critical because up to this
point, all personnel at the site have most likely been operating
under an “out of commission” status, where equipment and
apparatus that would normally be energised at high voltage is
routinely handled without any high voltage access procedures.•••
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Figure 2 - typical systems test process for a VSC HVDC system
System testing commences with the initial high voltage
energisation. This involves the staged energisation of the
HVDC system. The total number of stages during the initial
high voltage energisation will depend on the location of high
voltage disconnectors and circuit breakers within the HVDC
converter circuit.
The terminal tests are performed after the initial high
voltage energisation. These tests are performed on a single
converter terminal, disconnected from the remote converter
terminal and are comprised of a set of verifications in a.c.
voltage control or reactive power control modes (or other
control modes to be tested) that are conducted when the
converter terminal is connected to the a.c. network and
deblocked for the first time, but disconnected from the d.c.
transmission line or cable. During the terminal tests, the
two converters can be operated and tested independently
of each other and independently of the completion of
the d.c. cable or line. In addition to the first deblock of
the converter, a series of protective action tests and the
testing of the various converter control modes are typically
performed.
After the terminal tests have been completed at each
converter station, the next stage of testing comprise the
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transmission tests or end-to-end tests which are performed
with the both converter terminals connected to each other
via a d.c. cable/line or, in the case of back-to-back HVDC
projects, the interconnecting d.c. bus. During these tests, the
transmission of active power is verified.
The transmission tests cover the verification of deblocking
and blocking sequences as part of the active power
transmission configuration. The tests verify the active power
control in conjunction with the reactive power capability of
each converter terminal, and include verifications of the P-Q
characteristic and step responses to demonstrate stability of
transmission. The d.c. cable and/or line is energised for the
first time at the start of the transmission tests. Many of the
transmission tests may be performed at low active power,
typically at around 0.2 pu of the rated power of the HVDC
system. However, tests at high power are also necessary to
verify the active and reactive power ratings and thermal
capability of the converter terminals.
Typical tests performed during the transmission system
tests are summarised in the figure below.
Other testing typically performed as a part of the system
test program include: •••
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Figure 3 - Typical tests performed during the transmission system tests
 Operation and integration tests covering control system
changeovers, change of control location, operation
from a remote location, loss of telecommunications,
loss of auxiliary power and operation under black start
conditions (if applicable).
 Power quality and interference tests, including testing
of harmonics, audible noise and interference; and
 A.C. network integration tests including verifications of
staged fault scenarios, run-back schemes, special protection
schemes, islanded mode of operation, voltage/frequency
control, damping controls and other interactions. Some of
these tests may not be allowed by the operators of the a.c.
network however, such as staged a.c. faults.
For VSC HVDC systems, it is typical for a period of trial
operation to take place following the completion of the
system tests. The duration, purpose and requirements of
the trial operation period is as agreed between the owner
and the supplier and is usually defined in the contract
documents and/or the technical specifications.
Commissioning management,
coordination and documentation
A key element of the commissioning of VSC HVDC
systems is the management of the commissioning
process and coordination with external stakeholders.
The challenges can include ensuring sufficient testing
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is performed to enable customer acceptance and/or
demonstration of compliance to transmission grid codes,
ensuring that the relevant stakeholders are informed of
progress and notified of changes to the commissioning
program and coordinating the availability of the required
power flows and test energy to enable commissioning tests
to be performed.
Key elements that need to be addressed in preparation
for and during commissioning include:
 Commissioning planning and coordination;
 Customer acceptance and grid code compliance
requirements;
 Coordination of testing of run-back schemes and
special protection schemes;
 Coordination of the availability of test energy;
 Site management during commissioning;
 Health, safety and environmental considerations; and
 Training opportunities for owner staff.
The commissioning process provides opportunities for
the new asset owners and operators to train their personnel
in the operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of
the equipment. The objective of this training will be
to transfer the knowledge and expertise of the supplier
personnel to the operation and maintenance personnel of
the owner, so as to ensure that they will be able to continue
to run and maintain the HVDC system in accordance
with the specifications and supplier’s instructions and
recommendations.
The content, document titles and the number
of documents within the set of on-site testing and
commissioning documentation may differ between
projects depending on the supplier, project scope, specific
application and customer requirements. However these
will typically comprise:
 A site test outline;
 A test plan;
 A test schedule;
 Test procedures and protocols;
 Test records; and
 A final report.
Practical approaches to site
testing
Some key issues associated with practical approaches
to the commissioning of VSC HVDC systems in today’s
environment are covered at a high level within the
Technical Brochure including guidelines on determining
what tests are to be performed on site , some practical
limitations to performing site testing and how these can
be addressed and some commissioning issues specific
to certain applications (such as off-shore wind, multi-
terminal systems, offshore platform loads and interactions
with parallel power lines). •••
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One key practical challenge currently being experienced
on many HVDC projects is the growing need to adapt the
final commissioning procedures to accommodate:
 HVDC power transfer limitations due to a.c. network
constraints or market constraints;
 In the case of an HVDC scheme that connects to a new
remote generator (e.g. remote wind farm), the situation
where the commissioning of the new generator is
running late or over a long time period;
 Augmentations on the a.c. network that are required
to allow full power flow across the HVDC system not
being completed on time; or
 The occurrence of extended outages on the a.c. system,
including transmission lines, reactive plant and/or
generators, that significantly limit the power flow
allowed across the HVDC system.
There is risk to accepting a system that is not fully tested
at rated active and/or reactive power levels, especially
when rated power capacity is not expected to be available
for a long period of time after placing the HVDC system
into service. Where these practical limitations are known
in advance, appropriate arrangements should be made
between the parties with special consideration given if
rated power operation is not able to be achieved during
the commissioning period.
The Working Group has identified five approaches to
this problem (or a combination of these five approaches)
which have been used or are currently being considered.
 Round power - If there is more than one pole/HVDC
system in parallel, there may be opportunities to operate
in round power mode, with opposite power direction
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in each pole/system. This allows all HVDC elements
to be operated at rated power without affecting any
constraints or limitations on the a.c. network.
 Theoretical calculations derived from lower power
level measurements – A significant proportion of
the HVDC system controls and capabilities can be
demonstrated at lower power levels. At the high
power levels, the main considerations are the thermal
capabilities of major items of equipment, the adequacy
of valve cooling systems and whether there are any
unexpected C&P issues at the higher power levels. In
some cases, it may be possible to demonstrate these
through calculations, modelling and the extrapolation
of commissioning results at other power levels.
 Demonstration of maximum power during a defined
period – If it is likely that higher power levels may
be achievable at a later date, preferably during a trial
operation or warranty period, then the parties may
agree to monitor the power flows during trial operation
to identify periods where the required active and
reactive power flows levels could be achieved for the
required period of time, and to perform the tests at that
time.
 Operational planning studies – studies are performed
to determine what procedures and changes need to be
in place before energization so the a.c. system can be
arranged by the operator to be able to test full HVDC
power transmission where applicable.
 Increased factory testing - Extend and include extra
testing during factory testing, replicating those
additional tests which cannot be carried out during
site commissioning due to a.c. system constraints; e.g.
frequency control etc. 

BROCHURE N° 697
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