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technical brochure 697
Commissioning of VSC HVDC systems
Members
L. Brand, Convenor (AU), J. Leman, Secretary (US), J. Loncle (FR),
T. Magg (SA), A. Alefragkis (NE), T. Midtsund (NO), P. Bermel (DE), M. Minchin (UK),
S. Cole (BE), K. ou (CN), G. Drobnjak (DE), D. Russell (US),
A. Gunatilake (UK), T. Sakai (JP), D. Kell (CA), K. Sharifabadi (NO), N. Kirby (US),
J. Varnander (SE)
Corresponding Members
M. Mihalchuk (CA), J. Velasquez (DE), R. Poole (UK), D.W. Yoo (KR),
B.D. Railing (US)
Commissioning occurs during the latter stages of an Stages and sequence of VSC
HVDC project. It allows the HVDC supplier to verify and
demonstrate the performance of the installed equipment, commissioning
the functional completeness of the system and compliance
with the requirements of the relevant contracts and During commissioning of an HVDC project, the HVDC
specifications. Commissioning also allows adjustments and equipment is verified in groups and in conjunction with the
optimisation to the HVDC control and protection (C&P) converter control and protection (C&P) systems. Usually,
systems to be made and allows the owners, developers and/ this commissioning process can be divided into major stages
or end-user of the HVDC system to witness and be satisfied as shown in the figure 1.
that the project and operational requirements have been
demonstrated. The three major stages addressed in the Technical Brochure
and in this article are:
The process of commissioning VSC projects has developed Factory tests (off-site tests)
over the first fifteen years of its commercial operation, based Subsystem tests; and
initially on a similar process for commissioning LCC HVDC System tests
projects (i.e. CIGRE Technical Brochure 97) and expanded
upon and modified by the suppliers of VSC technology. The sequence of testing at site would typically start at
Whilst there are many similarities in the processes and the local level with tests within each converter terminal
procedures for commissioning the two technologies, there performed and completed before moving on to the remote
are some notable and significant differences that justified converter terminals, the complete HVDC transmission
the need for a separate Technical Brochure covering the system and any interfaces such as SCADA and remote
commissioning requirements for VSC projects. control systems. •••
Subsystem testing
Subsystem tests prove the correct interconnection and
functioning of individual equipment within a functional
group (or subsystem) and demonstrate that these items
operate and interact correctly. Typical subsystems which
are tested include cabling systems, a.c. protections and
interlocking, main circuit equipment, VSC valves, control and
protection systems and other auxiliary systems (including
cooling systems, auxiliary power, fire systems, air handling
systems and ground electrode systems).
System testing
System tests are typically comprised of the following key
testing activities:
High voltage energisation;
Figure 1 - Major stages of Commissioning
Terminal tests (also referred to as STATCOM tests);
Transmission tests;
Operation and integration tests;
Factory testing Power quality and interference tests; and
Prior to delivering the HVDC C&P system to site, the A.c. network and remote generation interaction tests.
correct functioning and performance of the C&P system
hardware and software needs to be verified before connection The first three tests are typically undertaken sequentially.
to the actual a.c. system. This is achieved through off-site The last three are typically scheduled during appropriate
factory tests that incorporate simulations and results from times during the terminal tests and transmission tests. It
the Dynamic Performance Study (DPS) completed prior to is advisable to carry out as many of the integration tests as
testing. possible during terminal operation as each converter terminal
Dynamic Performance Study (DPS) – The DPS is can be tested independently. During transmission tests, more
completed prior to factory testing, but simulations and coordination between converter terminals is required which
results are used as a benchmark during factory testing. The introduces an element of complexity.
DPS typically comprises various energisation scenarios,
transient cases and fault cases and evaluates how the The scope of a typical systems test process for a VSC HVDC
HVDC system interacts with the simulated a.c. system. system is shown diagrammatically in the figure 2.
The DPS is carried out using EMT-type software together
with a comprehensive EMT-type model, in which the Before the commencement of system testing, operational
equivalent a.c. system and the HVDC system, including preparedness for energisation is critical because up to this
a representation of the actual control and protection point, all personnel at the site have most likely been operating
software, are modelled. under an “out of commission” status, where equipment and
Factory testing of the C&P systems - This comprises apparatus that would normally be energised at high voltage is
a series of tests of the project specific C&P hardware routinely handled without any high voltage access procedures.•••
System testing commences with the initial high voltage transmission tests or end-to-end tests which are performed
energisation. This involves the staged energisation of the with the both converter terminals connected to each other
HVDC system. The total number of stages during the initial via a d.c. cable/line or, in the case of back-to-back HVDC
high voltage energisation will depend on the location of high projects, the interconnecting d.c. bus. During these tests, the
voltage disconnectors and circuit breakers within the HVDC transmission of active power is verified.
converter circuit.
The transmission tests cover the verification of deblocking
The terminal tests are performed after the initial high and blocking sequences as part of the active power
voltage energisation. These tests are performed on a single transmission configuration. The tests verify the active power
converter terminal, disconnected from the remote converter control in conjunction with the reactive power capability of
terminal and are comprised of a set of verifications in a.c. each converter terminal, and include verifications of the P-Q
voltage control or reactive power control modes (or other characteristic and step responses to demonstrate stability of
control modes to be tested) that are conducted when the transmission. The d.c. cable and/or line is energised for the
converter terminal is connected to the a.c. network and first time at the start of the transmission tests. Many of the
deblocked for the first time, but disconnected from the d.c. transmission tests may be performed at low active power,
transmission line or cable. During the terminal tests, the typically at around 0.2 pu of the rated power of the HVDC
two converters can be operated and tested independently system. However, tests at high power are also necessary to
of each other and independently of the completion of verify the active and reactive power ratings and thermal
the d.c. cable or line. In addition to the first deblock of capability of the converter terminals.
the converter, a series of protective action tests and the
testing of the various converter control modes are typically Typical tests performed during the transmission system
performed. tests are summarised in the figure below.
After the terminal tests have been completed at each Other testing typically performed as a part of the system
converter station, the next stage of testing comprise the test program include: •••
BROCHURE N° 697
(en anglais seulement)
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