COMMUTATION FAILURE

www.vu.com
IN HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT(HVDC)

Submitted by : Prabhjot singh

 1

Introduction

A form of power transmission technology called HVDC (High-

www.ekedp.com
v
Voltage Direct Current) systems is used to carry electricity across
large distances with little loss. By connecting power grids and
enabling the transmission of bulk power, this conversion makes it
possible to transmit electricity efficiently and reliably over large
distances.
 1

Importance of HVDC
Transmission

• Long-Distance Transmission
• Interconnecting Power Grids

www.ekedp.com
• Efficient Power Transmission
• Voltage Control and Stability
v

• Submarine and Underground Cable Transmission

• Grid Balancing and Power Exchange
• Enhanced Grid Reliability
• Reduced cable cost
 1

What is Commutation Failure in

HVDC

A disruption or failure in the conversion of alternating

www.ekedp.com
current (AC) to direct current (DC) or vice versa at the
converter stations is referred to as a commutation
failure in HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current)
systems.
 1

Effect of CF in HVDC

• Voltage and Current Instability

• Increased Stress on Components

www.ekedp.com
• Reduced Power Transfer Capability
• Grid Stability and Reliability Concerns
• Increased Operational Costs
• System Shutdown and Disruption
 1

Causes of CF in HVDC

www.ekedp.com
• AC System Faults
• Overlapping Control Signals:
• Faulty or Malfunctioning Thyristors:
 1

Prevention and Mitigation of CF

• Proper Design and Sizing of Converter Stations:

www.ekedp.com
• Thyristor Health Monitoring:
• Systematic Testing and Commissioning:
• Harmonic Filtering and Reactive Power
Compensation:
 3

EXAMPLES OF CF IN HVDC

 1. In 2012, a commutation failure occurred in the HVDC link between Sweden and
Denmark, causing a blackout in parts of Denmark and southern Sweden.

 2. In 2015, a commutation failure occurred in the HVDC link between Tasmania and
mainland Australia, leading to a blackout in Tasmania.

 3. In Japan, a commutation failure occurred at the Rancho Seco HVDC connection

www.ekedp.com
in October 2015. The failure was triggered by an external fault, leading to harmonic
oscillations in the system and causing a partial bracing of the power line.

 4. In the United States, two commutation failures occurred in October 2017 at the
Tres Amigas hub, an energy facility in New Mexico. The failures caused an
overheating of the converter transformers, causing significant degradation in the
power system's stability.
 7

Future Development
 Voltage Source Converter (VSC) Technology: VSC-based HVDC systems, usually referred to as
HVDC Light, have become more well-liked as a result of their adaptability and controllability.

 Integration of Renewable Energy: To enable the effective integration of renewable energy sources, such
as wind and solar, into the power grid, developments in HVDC systems are required.

 Advances in Power Electronics: Power electronics are essential to HVDC systems, and they have the
potential to significantly enhance their performance in the future.

www.ekedp.com
 HVDC Circuit Breakers: Research is now being done to construct HVDC circuit breakers. HVDC
circuit breakers are essential for isolating problematic HVDC system components and stopping
cascading failures.
 www.ekedp.com
THANK YOU