A Comprehensive Survey of HVDC Protection System: Fault Analysis, Methodology, Issues, Challenges, and Future Perspective

Abstract

The extensive application of power transfer through high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links in smart grid scenarios is due to many factors such as high-power transfer efficiency, decoupled interconnection, control of AC networks, reliable and flexible operation, integration of large wind and photovoltaic (PV)-based off-shore and on-shore farms, cost-effectiveness, etc. However, it is vital to focus on many other aspects like control, protection, coordinated operation, and power management to acquire the above benefits and make them feasible in real-time applications. HVDC protection is needed to focus further on innovative and devoted research because the HVDC system is more vulnerable to system faults and changes in operational conditions in comparison to AC transmission because of the adverse effects of low DC-side impedances and sensitive semi-conductor-based integrated power electronics devices. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the techniques proposed in the last three decades for HVDC protection, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The review also examines critical findings and assesses future research prospects for the development of HVDC protection, particularly from the perspective of smart-grid-based power systems. The focus of the review is on bridging the gap between existing protection schemes and topology and addressing the associated challenges and issues. The aim is to inform power engineers and researchers about potential research avenues to tackle the challenges in HVDC protection in smart-grid-based power systems.