HVDC Research

This page presents the research on HVDC performed within the Power Systems Research group of EnergyVille. The focus of the HVDC research is on power system aspects of HVDC, both including AC system and DC system aspects.

Why HVDC Grids?

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Grids will be a key enabler in the energy transition:

• HVDC enables a large scale integration of renewable energy in the power system.
• It offers new perspectives for cross-border infrastructure investments and at the same time, it is the only technically feasible solution for connecting remote offshore wind farms.

EnergyVille’s activities to move towards HVDC grids are centred on control and protection of HVDC systems, as well as on planning aspects.

HVDC research topics:

• Models and tools for analysing and improving control interactions with and within HVDC grids and links
• Algorithms, models and equipment for HVDC grid protection
• Models and tools for grid planning including HVDC, while accounting for uncertainty, reliability and flexibility

Resources for research on HVDC grids:

Labs

• Digital grid emulation lab

Open-source tools and model libraries

• MatACDC (a free MATLAB based open source program for AC/DC power flow analysis)
• PowerModelsACDC
• PowerModelsreliability
• HVDC Grid Test System
• Frequency dependent cable model

People leading the HVDC research at EnergyVille:

• Coordinator: Prof Dr. Ir. Dirk Van Hertem
• HVDC planning & operations: Dr. Dipl-Ir Hakan Ergun
• HVDC grid protection: Dr. Ir. Willem  Leterme
• HVDC converter interactions:  Prof Dr. Ir.  Jef Beerten
• Business development and IP support: Dr. Ir. Kris Baert

This research group is supported by a team of over 20 people (doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, etc.)

Key reference projects related to HVDC:

HVDC GRID PROTECTION

• PROMOtioN (Progress on Meshed HVDC Offshore Transmission Networks)
• NEPTUNE: North-sea Energy Plan for Transition to Sustainable Wind Energy
• FWO PhD Fellowship: Communication-less protection algorithms for meshed HVDC grids

HVDC GRID PLANNING

• NEPTUNE: North-sea Energy Plan for Transition to Sustainable Wind Energy
• InnoDC (Innovative Tools for Offshore Wind and HVDC grids)
• PowerModelsACDC
• TRIP (Transmission Investment Planning)
• CORDOBA: Coordinated Planning of Hybrid Offshore Assets
• Geiri HVDC (Planning methodology for HVDC interconnectors)

HVDC CONTROL

• ABB Research Award in Honor of Hubertus von Gruenberg
• NEPTUNE: North-sea Energy Plan for Transition to Sustainable Wind Energy
• InnoDC (Innovative Tools for Offshore Wind and HVDC grids)
• MEDOW (Multi-terminal DC grid for offshore wind)
• FWO Postdoctoral Fellowship: High-Bandwidth Dynamic Interactions in Future DC Power Systems

Involvement in Cigré working groups:

• Ongoing
  • B4-64 “Impact of AC System Characteristics on the Performance of HVDC Schemes”
  • B4/B1/C4.73 “Surge and extended overvoltage testing of HVDC Cable Systems”
  • B4-74 “Guide to Develop Real-Time Simulation Models (RTSM) for HVDC Operational Studies”
• Finished
  • B4-52 “HVDC Grid Feasibility Study”
  • B4-56 “Guidelines for Preparation of Connection Agreements or Grid Codes for HVDC Grids”
  • B4-58 “Devices for Load flow Control and Methodologies for Direct Voltage Control in a Meshed HVDC Grid”
  • B4/B5-59 “Control and Protection of HVDC grids”
  • B4-70 “Guide for Electromagnetic Transient Studies involving VSC converters”