Parameterization of Circuit Breakers for HVDC Transmission Line Between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Toward Restriking Voltage

Abstract

The high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines represent the prospective way for long-distance transmission between countries, remote areas, and offshore wind farms to decrease power loss. However, the HVDC protection systems have many challenges against any system issue, such as maintenance and short circuits. Thus, the vital role played by high voltage direct current circuit breaker CB has made it the center of attention in HVDC protection systems. The main challenge in HVDC CB is the lack of naturally exiting current zero that allows the breaker to extinguish the arc during the opening process. Thus, a commutation L-C circuit is required to inject an oscillating current and enforce a zero-crossing. Nevertheless, the L-C branch is affected directly by the arcing time, the transient recovery voltage (TRV), and the rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV). This paper investigates the parametric uncertainties of L-C and SF6 mechanical interrupters, including cooling power and arc time constant upon TRV and RRRV, based on Mayr’s black-box model. Furthermore, a part of 3000 MVA, 500 kV HVDC transmission line between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is used as a testing system employing ATP/EMTP software package to demonstrate the effect of CB’s parameters variations. The results indicate that the capacitance represents the major parameter having a direct impact on TRV and RRRV. In essence, the proper parameterization of the CB is highly required in the design process of HVDC CB to enhance the decision-making and ensure that the L-C is capable of reducing arcing time and TRV simultaneously.

Keywords

• Transmission lines
• HVDC
• protection systems
• circuit breakers
• TRV
• RRRV