MUET logo

An improved fault current limiter for hybrid DC circuit breakers in large-scale MMC-HVDC systems

Authors

  • Rashid Hussain Chandio

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Madad Ali Shah

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Abdul Aziz Memon

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Faheem Akhter Chachar

    Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0275

Keywords:

Modular multilevel-converter, HVDC system protection, hybrid DC circuit breakers, fault current limiting circuits

Abstract

Designing multi-terminal HVDC systems presents significant challenges, particularly in control, modeling, and protection. One of the most critical concerns is the protection of these systems from DC short circuits. DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) have traditionally been a key solution for handling fault conditions. However, as these systems scale up to meet increasing power demands, the associated cost and technical complexity of deploying DCCBs across large-scale systems make them less practical and economically viable. This has driven the exploration of alternative or supplementary strategies to address short circuits more cost-effectively.  In this regard, fault current limiter (FCL) circuits combined with DC breakers have been proposed to reduce their demands. This paper presents an improved non-superconducting FCL circuit paired with a hybrid DC circuit breaker to enhance system performance. The proposed topology integrates power electronic (PE) bidirectional switches, current-limiting inductors, and a discharging resistor. Simulations have been conducted using PSCAD/EMTDC software. An equivalent circuit model based on the Zhoushan HVDC project is used for simulation analysis to study behavior under the influence of this breaker. In contrast to current approaches that utilize continuous current-limiting components, the proposed topology minimizes power loss during normal operation. The simulation results show robust current-limiting performance, quicker fault isolation, and reduced energy absorption by the breaker. With the proposed circuit, the fault clearing time is improved by 23%, and energy absorption performance is enhanced by 98%. Compared to the existing topology in the literature the proposed design demonstrates superior current limiting performance. The proposed FCL reduces the fault current to 2 kA whereas the literature reported topology limits it to 2.5 kA.  Further, it achieves significantly lower energy absorption, measured at 0.12 MJ compared to 0.4 MJ in the literature. A comparative analysis with the existing methods from the literature demonstrates that the proposed FCL offers superior current-limiting capabilities, faster fault response, and lower power losses.

Downloads

Author Biographies

  • Madad Ali Shah, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan

    Professor 

    Electrical Engineering Department, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, Pakistan

    Vice chancellor:  Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad

     

  • Abdul Aziz Memon, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan

    Associate Professor

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan

  • Faheem Akhter Chachar, Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom

References

R. Hussain, F. Akhtar, and J. Badar, “Control and protection of MMC-based HVDC systems : A review,” Energy Reports, vol. 9, pp. 1571–1588, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2022.12.056.

J. Li, G. Konstantinou, H. R. Wickramasinghe, and J. Pou, “Operation and Control Methods of Modular Multilevel Converters in Unbalanced AC Grids: A Review,” IEEE J. Emerg. Sel. Top. Power Electron., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1258–1271, 2019, doi: 10.1109/JESTPE.2018.2856505.

A. E. B. Abu-Elanien, A. S. Abdel-Khalik, A. M. Massoud, and S. Ahmed, “A non-communication based protection algorithm for multi-terminal HVDC grids,” Electr. Power Syst. Res., vol. 144, pp. 41–51, 2017, doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2016.11.010.

Q. Huai et al., “A pilot line protection for MT-HVDC grids using similarity of traveling waveforms,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 131, no. April, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2021.107162.

G. Buigues, V. Valverde, A. Etxegarai, P. Eguía, and E. Torres, “Present and future multiterminal HVDC systems: Current status and forthcoming developments,” Renew. Energy Power Qual. J., vol. 1, no. 15, pp. 83–88, 2017, doi: 10.24084/repqj15.223.

R. Li and L. Xu, “Review of DC fault protection for HVDC grids,” Wiley Interdiscip. Rev. Energy Environ., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1–15, 2018, doi: 10.1002/wene.278.

A. Alassi, S. Bañales, O. Ellabban, G. Adam, and C. MacIver, “HVDC Transmission: Technology Review, Market Trends and Future Outlook,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 112, no. June, pp. 530–554, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2019.04.062.

D. Döring, D. Ergin, K. Würflinger, J. Dorn, F. Schettler, and E. Spahic, “System integration aspects of DC circuit breakers,” IET Power Electron., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 219–227, 2016, doi: 10.1049/iet-pel.2015.0558.

A. Wg, H. Schmitt, and W. Group, “Fault Current Limiters Report on the Activities of CIGRE WG A3.16,” vol. 16, pp. 1–5, 2006.

H. S. Ruiz, X. Zhang, and T. A. Coombs, “Resistive-type superconducting fault current limiters: Concepts, materials, and numerical modeling,”IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 1–6, 2015, doi: 10.1109/TASC.2014.2387115.

M. Ahmad, Z. Wang, M. Shafique, and M. H. Nadeem, “Significance of fault-current-limiters and parameters optimization in HVDC circuit breakers for increased capacity of VSC-HVDC transmission networks application,” Energy Reports, vol. 8, pp. 878–892, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2021.12.024.

X. Zhang, C. Zhuo, X. Zhang, and X. Yang, “A Novel Topology of Hybrid DC Fault Current Limiter base on novel fault current limitation theory for DC Line Short Fault in HVDC System,” APAP 2019 - 8th IEEE Int. Conf. Adv. Power Syst. Autom. Prot., pp. 673–677, 2019, doi: 10.1109/APAP47170.2019.9224841.

H. K. Miyamoto, A. T. Queiroz, D. H. N. Dias, B. W. França, F. Sass, and G. G. Sotelo, “Novel design of a hybrid superconducting fault current limiter with controlled solid-state device,” J. Microwaves, Optoelectron. Electromagn. Appl., vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 334–347, 2021, doi: 10.1590/2179-10742021V20I21029.

A. Safaei, M. Zolfaghari, M. Gilvanejad, and G. B. Gharehpetian, “A survey on fault current limiters: Development and technical aspects,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 118, no. September 2019, p. 105729, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2019.105729.

H. Zhou, J. Yuan, F. Chen, and B. Chen, “Inductive Fault Current Limiters in VSC-HVDC Systems: A Review,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 38185–38197, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2976116.

J. Zhu et al., “Experimental investigation of current limiting characteristics for a novel hybrid superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) with biased magnetic field,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 1559, no. 1, 2020, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1559/1/012104.

J. Yuan, Y. Lei, L. Wei, C. Tian, B. Chen, and Z. Du, “A Novel Bridge-Type Hybrid Saturated-Core Fault Current Limiter Based on Permanent Magnets,”IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 51, no. 11, pp. 4–7, 2015, doi:10.1109/TMAG.2015.2440427.

B. Li, J. He, Y. Li, W. Wen, and B. Li, “A novel current-commutation-based FCL for the flexible DC grid,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 591–606, 2020, doi:10.1109/TPEL.2019.2924024.

Z. Yang et al., “A Novel Topology of a Liquid Metal Current Limiter for MVDC Network Applications,” IEEE Trans. Power Deliv., vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 661–670, 2019, doi: 10.1109/TPWRD.2019.2892501.

H. Y. Lee, M. Asif, K. H. Park, and B. W. Lee, “Feasible Application Study of Several Types of Superconducting Fault Current Limiters in HVDC Grids,” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 1–6, 2018, doi: 10.1109/TASC.2018.2799745.

J. C. Miao, Xiren, Minyi Fu, Baoquan Lin, Xiaoming Liu, Hao Jiang, “A Novel Topology Self-Adjusted Fault Current Limiter for VSC-LVDC Systems,”IEEE Trans. Power Electron. (2024)., p. 2024, 2024, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2024.3365494.

Y. L. Yin, Laicheng, Jiayi Liu, Yucheng Wu, Wei Liu, “A Novel Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker Topology with Current Limiting Capability and Rapid Fault Isolation Time,” in IEEE 7th International Electrical and Energy Conference (CIEEC), 2024, pp. 4400–4405, doi: 10.1109/CIEEC60922.2024.10583805.

S. Li, J. Zhang, J. Xu, and C. Zhao, “A new topology for current limiting HVDC circuit breaker,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 104, no. June 2018, pp. 933–942, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2018.07.042.

H. Lyu et al., “An Improved Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker with Self-Adaptive Fault Current Limiting Capability,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 4730–4741, 2022, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2021.3121180.

J. Xu, L. Gao, G. Zhou, and H. Zhang, “Flux-coupling fault current limiter design for VSC DC grids,” J. Power Electron., vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 116–127, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s43236-021-00327-4.

M. Callavik, A. Blomberg, J. Häfner, and B. Jacobson, “Break-through!: ABB’s hybrid HVDC breaker, an innovation breakthrough enabling reliable HVDC grids,” ABB Rev., no. 2, pp. 7–13, 2013.

I. Rq, Q. Dw, W. Dqg, and G. Ohyhov, “DC Side Line-to-line Fault Analysis of VSC-HVDC and DC-fault-clearing Methods,” Prepr. 5th Int. Conf. Electr. Util. Deregul. Restruct. Power Technol. Novemb. 26-29, 2015. Chang. China, pp. 5–9, 2015.

J. Yang, J. E. Fletcher, and J. O’Reilly, “Short-circuit and ground fault analyses and location in VSC-based DC network cables,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 59, no. 10, pp. 3827–3837, 2012, doi: 10.1109/TIE.2011.2162712.

Y. Pipelzadeh, B. Chaudhuri, and T. C. Green, “Modelling and Dynamic Operation of the Zhoushan DC Grid: Worlds First Five-Terminal VSC-HVDC Project,” Int. High Volt. Direct Curr. Conf., no. October, pp. 87–95, 2015, doi: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3449.3202.

G. Tang, Z. He, H. Pang, X. Huang, and X. Zhang, “Basic topology and key devices of the five-terminal DC grid,” CSEE J. Power Energy Syst., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 22–35, 2015, doi: 10.17775/cseejpes.2015.00016.

Q. Chen, P. Qiu, Y. Lu, X. Huang, and J. Wu, “The principle and application effect of DC breaker and arm damping system,” Energy Reports, vol. 6, pp. 220–227, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2020.11.257.

M. Ahmad, C. Gong, M. H. Nadeem, H. Chen, and Z. Wang, “A hybrid circuit breaker with fault current limiter circuit in a VSC-HVDC application,” Prot. Control Mod. Power Syst., vol. 7, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.1186/s41601-022-00264-9.

Published

2025-07-01

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 3 (2025): July Issue

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

An improved fault current limiter for hybrid DC circuit breakers in large-scale MMC-HVDC systems. (2025). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 44(3), 106-119. https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0275

Similar Articles

1-10 of 55

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.