Methodology for fault location in multiterminal VSC-HVDC transmission lines

Abstract

This research proposal aims at developing a methodology for fault location in direct current transmission systems composed by voltage-source converters at various terminals, and typically known as multiterminal VSC-HVDC systems. A fault detection technique will be integrated to the fault location method to correctly identify the faulted line and then to locate the fault position. This proposal has been motivated by the perspective of expansion of VSC-HVDC systems worldwide and also by the lack of fault location methods for this kind of transmission system, especially for multiterminal topologies. The main idea is to adapt the fault location techniques based on the travelling waves' theory (typically applied to HVDC systems based on current source converters) to VSC-HVDC systems. This is a relevant topic that has been attracting the interest of several researchers. Thus, the results are expected to aid the fast and correct fault detection and location, meeting the protection and selectivity criteria and facilitating the understanding of the fault location process in multiterminal systems. (AU)