journal article·2025-02-27Open access

Characteristics Evaluation and Coordinated Control Strategy of Power-Electronics-Based MMC-HVDC Systems Connected with Wind Farms

Lin Xu, Chang Liu, Jingyi Zhang, Zhen Tian, Pan Feng, Meng Huang

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 5

Abstract

Modular multilevel converter–high-voltage direct current (MMC-HVDC) systems are a key technology for integrating large-scale offshore wind farms due to their flexibility, controllability, and decoupled active and reactive power characteristics. However, offshore wind farms rely on power electronic converters, resulting in low inertia, which can worsen frequency fluctuations and affect system stability during major disturbances. Additionally, the decoupled power control of MMC-HVDC systems limits wind farms’ inertia contribution to the AC grid, exacerbating inertia deficiency. To address this, a coordinated inertia support strategy is proposed, utilizing a DC voltage–frequency mapping method that enables wind farms to perceive frequency variations without communication and rapidly provide inertia response. This strategy coordinates wind farms and MMC-HVDC systems to enhance frequency support. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed strategy overcomes MMC-HVDC’s decoupling effect, accelerates frequency recovery, and improves the inertia response speed, achieving faster power support and higher peak power output, thereby enhancing frequency stability. Furthermore, PSCAD/EMTDC simulations were conducted to analyze the transient characteristics of MMC-HVDC under AC-side faults, verifying that braking resistors (BRs) effectively suppress DC overvoltage, reducing wind farm power curtailment and improving system security. This study provides a new approach for frequency stability control in MMC-HVDC-based offshore wind integration and serves as a reference for further optimization of inertia support and fault protection strategies.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: HVDC Systems and Fault Protection · High-Voltage Power Transmission Systems · Microgrid Control and Optimization

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Electric Power Research Institute of State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610072, China

Power Internet of Things Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, China

School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

Key Laboratory of Integrated Energy Power Equipment and System Security, Wuhan 430072, China

Funding

technology project of state grid Sichuan electric power Co., Ltd.

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