1

Influence of HVDC Control on Transient

Voltage Security of the China Southern Hybrid
AC/DC Systems
J. S. Zhang1,2, Y. Zhang2, and Z. G. Wu2
(1. CSG Technology Research Center, Guangzhou 510620, China; 2. Electric Power College, South China University of
Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China)

power consumption from AC systems are in demand

Abstract--The influence of HVDC control on by three converts’ commutation process for the
transient voltage security of the China southern hybrid normal operation; therefore, there may be a lack of
AC/DC systems following a large disturbance is reactive power supply [1], [2]. Another one is whether
researched using the Transient Security Assessment
DC power and convert AC bus voltage of multi
Tool (TSAT). The differences in the influence of
different HVDC control modes on transient voltage HVDC systems could have a quick recovery
security consist in increasing reactive power following emergencies such as large disturbances or
consumption along with quick recovery of DC active not. Voltage stability problems probably arise from
power. It’s suggested that transient voltage stability of three HVDC transmission systems involved in the
hybrid AC/DC systems following a large disturbance CSG. HVDC control systems including DC control
should be studied in company with synchronous
modes and the controllers play important roles in
stability concern. The research results show that the
constant current control at the rectifier side and the above two problems, which make a great impact on
constant DC voltage control at the inverter side are convert reactive power characteristics and convert AC
more effective for the recovery of converter AC bus bus voltage recovery following a large disturbance.
voltage following a large disturbance than the constant The objective of this paper is to study the influence of
power control at the rectifier side and the constant DC system control modes on transient voltage security
extinction angle control at the inverter side. To
of the China southern hybrid AC/DC power systems.
mitigate the unbalance of both active power and
reactive power following a large disturbance, the The current studies on impacts of HVDC control
parameters of the voltage dependent current order on hybrid AC/DC power system performance may
limiter (VDCOL) should be chosen as their perhaps be improved in the investigation object and
compromise values. research method. A simple case system, such as AC
electric sources modeling, used to be the
Index Terms-- Hybrid AC/DC systems, HVDC control, representation for bulk AC power systems for easy
transient voltage stability, transient angle stability,
analysis [3]-[5]. The China southern hybrid AC/DC
voltage dependent current order limiter
power systems include 1218 buses (149 generators
I. INTRODUCTION and 428 load buses involved), 981 AC transmission
lines and 3 HVDC transmission lines. The conclusion
T HREE HVDC transmission systems, namely, drawn from the simple case, however, may not be
Tian-Guang HVDC (±500-kV, 1800MW), Gui- adopted by bulk power systems like the CSG. As two
Guang HVDC (±500-kV, 3000MW) and Three aspects of power system stability, generator angle
Gorges-Guang HVDC (±500-kV, 3000MW), feed stability and voltage stability used to be studied
into the receiving end power systems of the China separately [3]-[5]. The impacts of HVDC control on
Southern Power Grid (CSG) in 2005. Two problems the interaction of voltage stability and angel stability
are attracting attention in multi-infeed DC systems of have not attached attention. As a result, the impacts of
the CSG. One is that a significant amount of reactive HVDC control on the interaction of voltage stability
and angel stability of the CSG following a large
This work was supported by the Project 50337010 of National disturbance are main concern of this paper.
Natural Science Foundation of China. The influence of DC system control modes and the
J. S. Zhang is with the CSG Technology Research Center, parameters of the VDCOL on the recovery of convert
Guangzhou 510620, China (e-mail: epzhang@163.com).
AC bus voltage and DC power following a large
Y. Zhang is with the Electric Power College, South China
University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China (e-mail: disturbance are simulated using the TSAT. The cause
epyzhang@scut.edu.cn). analysis about the simulation results and the
Z. G. Wu is with the Electric Power College, South China suggestion of improving transient voltage level are
University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China (e-mail:
epzgwu@scut.edu.cn). proposed in the paper.

II. MODES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HVDC
CONTROL SYSTEMS
A. Basic control modes
Firstly, a detailed HVDC control model including
three HVDC systems of the CSG is accomplished
using the TSAT user-defined model [6]. Several
HVDC control modes such as the constant power
control (CPC) or the constant current control (CCC) at
the rectifier side as well as the constant extinction
angle control (CEAC) or the constant dc voltage
control (CDVC) at the inverter side are implemented
for the normal operation of the CSG.
B. Comparison of the CPC and the CCC
(1). The CPC
The objective of the CPC is to keep DC power
constant; however, DC voltage and DC current are
alterable. The reactive power consumption from AC
systems are in demand by the converts’ commutation
process for the normal operation, which can be
expressed by
Q = P tan φ (1)
where P is DC power and φ is power factor angle.
When AC commutation bus voltage drops following a
large disturbance, reactive power compensation from
the shunt capacitor and the filter decreases. However,
from (1), DC power setting value, P, is invariable; this
results in a significant amount of reactive power
demand of converts even during the reduction period
of AC commutating bus voltage. The CPC is not
effective for the recovery of converter AC bus voltage
and DC power following a large disturbance [7], [8].
(2). The CCC
The objective of the CCC is to keep DC current
constant; however, DC voltage is alterable. Take a
example for the six-pulse bridge rectifier, DC voltage
Udr, DC power Pr and reactive power consumption Qr
from AC systems can be respectively expressed by
3 2 3
U dr = U r cos α − X cr I dr (2)
π π
Pr = Udr Idr (3)
Qr = Pr tan φr (4)
where Idr is DC current, Ur is the rectifier
commutating voltage, α is firing angle, and Xc is
commutating reactance.
From (2) to (4), reactive power consumption
keeps isochronous dynamic performance with AC
commutating voltage; that’s to say, reactive power
demand of converts reduce if AC commutating bus
voltage drops. The CCC is more effective for the
recovery of converter AC bus voltage and DC power
following a large disturbance than the CPC [8].
C. Comparison of the CEAC and the CDVC
(1). The CEAC
The objective of the CEAC is to keep extinction
2
angle, γ, constant, which can be expressed by
γ=arccos ( 2 IdXci/Ui+cosβ) (5)
where Ui is invert commutating voltage and β is
firing leading angle. From (5), the value of cosβ needs
to be reduced to keep γ constant when invert
commutating voltage drops following a large
disturbance. The value of cosφ therefore decreases
resulting from the equation as follows,
∣cosφ∣≈(cosγ+cosβ)/2 (6)
This means that reactive power demand of inverts will
increase, which result in a lower Ui. The CEAC is not
effective for the recovery of invert AC bus voltage
following a large disturbance [8].
(2). The CDVC
The objective of the CDVC is to keep DC voltage
constant at the invert side, which can be expressed by
3 2 3 (7)
U di = U i cos β + X ci I di
π π
From (7), the value of cosβ needs increasing to keep
Udi constant when invert commutating bus voltage, Ui,
drops following a large disturbance. This means that
reactive power demand of inverts will decrease;
therefore, the CDVC helps invert terminal voltage
recovery following a large disturbance.
D. VDCOL
VDCOL functions to reduce the values of DC
current and DC power when DC voltage or convert
AC bus voltage drops following a large disturbance
[1], [2]; therefore, this will decrease convert reactive
power consumption from AC systems and helps invert
AC bus voltage recovery following a large
disturbance. VDCOL can function at the rectifier side
or the invert side and the DC threshold current at the
rectifier side is 10% higher than that at the invert side
[1]. Static characteristic of VDCOL is shown on Fig.
1, where Ud is DC voltage, Id is DC current, the label r
represents the rectifier side, and the label i represents
the invert side. IH is the maximum DC threshold current,
IL is the minimum DC threshold current, VH is the
maximum DC threshold voltage, and VL is the
minimum DC threshold voltage [8]. How to select
above parameters will have a great impact on dynamic
performance and stability of AC/DC systems.
Ud
UHi
ULi
UHr
ULr
ILi ILr IHi IHr Id
rectifier invert
Fig. 1 Static characteristic of VDCOL
 3

The influence of VDCOL parameters on reactive at the rectifier side of the Gui-Guang HVDC system.
power consumption from AC systems and converter The CDVC at the inverter side is implemented all for
AC bus voltage can be analyzed by studying the slope the Tian-Guang HVDC system, the Gui-Guang
characteristic of Ud-Id in Fig. 1, which can be HVDC system and the Three Gorges-Guang HVDC
expressed by system at normal operation of the CSG. A three-phase
U −UL short circuit on one circuit of 500-kV lines from
U= H ( I − I L ) + VL (8)
IH − IL WuZhou 500-kV bus to LuoDong 500-kV bus under
From (8), the viewpoints can be explained as follows the summer peak load operating condition in 2005 of
[8]. the CSG is considered [7], [8]. The fault is cleared in
(1). The slope of Ud-Id increases as VH increases. 4 cycles by permanently opening the fault line and the
That means that Id is restricted when Ud is still high. healthy line is also tripped because of protection
From (2) to (4), both DC power Pd and reactive power system malfunction.
consumption from AC systems will decrease, which is Converter AC bus voltages of the AnShun rectifier
not effective for the recovery of active power and station and the ZhaoQing invert station following the
angle stability but helps the recovery of converter AC fault are shown on Fig. 2. Rectifier reactive power
bus voltage and voltage stability. The result is just the consumption of the Tian-Guang HVDC system and
contrary as VH decreases. the Gui-Guang HVDC system are shown on Fig. 3.
(2). The slope of Ud-Id decreases as VL increases.
That means that Id is restricted when Ud is still high AC Bus Voltage (pu)
and reactive power demand of converts are not heavy; 1.1
AnShun
therefore, this helps the recovery of converter AC bus 1.0
voltage and voltage stability. However, because Id is
0.9
restricted when Ud is still high, this is not effective for
keeping balance of active power and angle stability. 0.8 ZhaoQing
The result is just the contrary as VL decreases.
0.7
(3). The slope of Ud-Id increases as IH decreases.
That means that DC power Pd decreases at the same 0.6 t(s)
0.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0
Ud. This is not effective for keeping balance of active CPC CCC
power but is effective for the recovery of converter Fig. 2 AC bus voltage at the AnShun rectifier and the ZhaoQing
AC bus voltage and voltage stability. The result is just inverter
the contrary as IH increases.
(4). The slope of Ud-Id increases as IL increases. Reactive Power (Mvar)
That means that DC current Id increases at the same Ud; 100
therefore, DC power, Pd, also increases. This helps to
−140
keep balance of active power and angle stability but is TSQ
not effective for the recovery of converter AC bus −380
voltage and voltage stability. The result is just the −620
contrary as IL decreases. AnShun

According to above analysis, it is concluded that −860

the differences in the influence of different HVDC −1100 t(s)

0.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0
control modes on transient voltage security consist in
CPC CCC
increasing reactive power demand of converts along
Fig. 3 Reactive power demand at the TSQ rectifier and the AnShun
with quick recovery of DC active power. On one hand,
rectifier
it’s suggested that transient voltage stability of hybrid
AC/DC systems following a large disturbance should
From Fig. 2, converter AC bus voltage has more
be studied in company with synchronous stability
drop and swings with the CPC mode than with the
study. On the other hand, DC power should be firstly
CCC mode, especially at the invert side. From Fig. 3,
reduced to decrease reactive power demand of
there is few difference in the influence of different
converts when voltage stability problem is a main
HVDC control modes on reactive power consumption
concern following a disturbance [8].
within 1 second following the fault; however, during
the period between 1 second to 2 seconds, reactive
power demand of converts with the CPC mode are
III. SIMULATION ANALYSIS
much more than that with the CCC mode. This results
A. Basic control modes in a slow recovery of AC bus voltage and a large
dynamic swing performance of voltage and reactive
The CPC and the CCC are simulated respectively
power.
 4

B. VDCOL AC bus voltage keeps optimization when VH is equal to

The influences of only one parameter, i.e. VH, on 0.95pu; this incarnates the smallest voltage drop and
the recovery of DC power and convert AC bus voltage swings, the quickest voltage recovery and the shortest
are simulated. A three-phase short circuit on one duration when voltage is low than 0.85pu. Invert AC
circuit of 500-kV lines from AnShun 500-kV bus to bus voltage drops most and the duration when voltage
GuiYang 500-kV bus is considered. The fault is is low than 0.85pu is 0.65 second when VH is equal to
cleared in 5 cycles by permanently opening the fault 0.8pu. Invert AC bus voltage has the slowest recovery
line and the healthy line is also tripped in 30 cycles following the disturbance and the duration when
because of protection system malfunction [8]. voltage is low than 0.85pu is 1.1 second when VH is
The simulation result shows that AC/DC systems equal to 1.08pu. The simulation results validate the
keep angle stability following the fault only if VH is analysis in Section III and indicate that the value of VH
larger than 0.79pu and VH is smaller than 1.09pu. should be properly initialized to satisfy the quick
Convert AC bus voltage, reactive power consumption recovery of both DC power and convert AC bus
and DC power at the ZhaoQing inverter when VH is voltage.
equal to 0.8pu, 0.95pu and 1.08pu respectively are Fig. 5 shows that the ZhaoQing invert absorbs a
shown on Fig. 4, 5 and 6 respectively [8]. significant amount of reactive power from AC
systems during the period of the disturbance and
AC Bus Voltage (pu) following the disturbance when VH is equal to 0.8pu.
1.20 This results in a sharp drop of invert AC bus voltage,
which can be seen on Fig. 4.
1.08
From Fig. 6, reactive power demand of the
0.96 ZhaoQing inverter is fewest following the disturbance
0.84
VH=0.95pu when VH is equal to 1.08pu; however, angle instability
VH =1.08pu
endangers AC/DC systems and DC power recovery is
0.72 VH =0.8pu therefore a main concern. This restricts the recovery of
0.60 t(s) AC bus voltage, which can be seen on Fig. 4.
0.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 According to above analysis, it is concluded that
Fig. 4 AC bus voltage at the ZhaoQing inverter when VH is equal to only from the view of reactive power demand of
0.8pu, 0.95pu and 1.08pu respectively converts from AC systems, it is effective for the
recovery of convert AC bus voltage to increase VH and
Reactive Power (Mvar) VL or to decrease IH and IL. However, if angle
−300
instability and active power unbalance endanger
−420 VH=1.08pu AC/DC systems, voltage security could probably be
threatened. VDCOL parameters should be properly
−540 VH=0.95pu initialized to satisfy balance of both active power and
−660 reactive power following a large disturbance.
−780
VH=0.8pu
−900 t(s) IV. CONCLUSION
0.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0
Fig. 5 Reactive power demand at the ZhaoQing inverter when VH is (1). The differences in the influence of different
equal to 0.8pu, 0.95pu and 1.08pu respectively HVDC control modes on transient voltage security
consist in increasing reactive power demand of
DC Power (MW) converts along with quick recovery of DC active
1600 power.
VH=0.95pu
(2). Transient voltage stability of hybrid AC/DC
1280
systems following a large disturbance should be
960 VH=0.8pu studied in company with synchronous stability study.
640
DC power should be firstly reduced to decrease
VH=1.08pu
reactive power demand of converts from AC systems
320 when voltage stability problem is a main concern
0 t(s) following a large disturbance.
0.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0
(3). The constant current control at the rectifier
Fig. 6 DC power transmitted by the ZhaoQing inverter when VH is
side and the constant DC voltage control at the
equal to 0.8pu, 0.95pu and 1.08pu respectively
inverter side are more effective for the recovery of
converter AC bus voltage following a large
Fig. 4 shows that the dynamic performance of invert
disturbance than the constant power control at the
 5

rectifier side and the constant extinction angle

control at the inverter side.
(4). VDCOL parameters should be properly
initialized to satisfy balance of both active power and
reactive power following a large disturbance.

V. REFERENCES
[1] Zhejiang University, HVDC transmission systems, Beijing:
Water Conservancy and Electric Power Press, 1985.
[2] C. W. Taylor, Power system voltage stability, New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1993.
[3] G. A Huang, V. Krishnaswamy, “HVDC controls for power
system stability," in Proc. 2002 IEEE Power Engineering
Society Summer Meeting., pp. 597-602.
[4] L. A. S. Pilotto, M. Szechtman, and A. E.Hammad, " Transient
AC voltage related phenomena for HVDC schemes connected
to weak AC systems ," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. 7,
pp. 1396-1404, 1992.
[5] S. X. Zhou, J. L. Lü, Y. P. Zhang, " Influence of HVDC on
voltage stability," Journal of Tsinghua University, vol. 39, pp.
4-7, 1999.
[6] Powertech Labs Inc., “TSAT modal manual," Powertech Labs
Inc., Canada, 2003.
[7] W. D. Yang, Y. S. Xue, and Y. Jing et al, " Influence of DC
system’s control strategy on the transient stability of South China
power grid," Automation of Electric Power Systems, vol. 27,
pp. 57-60, 2003.
[8] J. S. Zhang, "Research on voltage stability of hybrid AC/DC
power systems," Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. Electrical. Eng.,
South China University of Technology, 2006.

VI. BIOGRAPHIES
J.S. Zhang received his BSc and Ph.D.
degrees from South China University of
Technology, China, in 2001 and 2006
respectively. He is now an engineer and
works in the CSG Technology Research
Center. His research interest is power
system stability and simulation, especially
power system voltage stability.
(Email: epzhang@163.com)

Y. Zhang received his M.E. and Ph.D.

degrees from Tianjin University, China, in
1981 and 1993 respectively. He is now a
senior member of CSEE and Dean in
South China University of Technology.
His research interest includes power
system analysis and voltage stability.
(Email: epyzhang@scut.edu.cn)

Z.G. Wu received his Ph.D. degrees from

Tianjin University, China, in 2002. He is
now an Associate Professor in South
China University of Technology. His
research interest is voltage stability of
power system.
(Email: epzgwu@scut.edu.cn)