Fundamental methodology for protection system design to realize large-scale offshore HVDC grids

An overhaul of the current transmission infrastructure is foreseen to allow a massive integration of offshore wind energy in order to achieve climate-neutral by 2050 in Europe. Voltage source converter (VSC) based high voltage direct current (HVDC) grids are expected to make up a significant portion of the necessary transmission infrastructure due to its efficiency and flexibility in power transfer over long distances. Although many technical obstacles exist when building large-scale offshore HVDC grids, designing multi-vendor interoperable HVDC grid protection systems remains a particular challenge. The main reasons are that large-scale HVDC grids have complex control and protection interactions and HVDC technology has been developed as vendor-specific solutions primarily used for point-to-point and small radial systems. 

This project aims to develop a fundamental methodology for designing multi-vendor interoperable HVDC grid protection systems to realize massive integration of offshore wind energy in Europe. The methodology will specify the functional requirements of the HVDC grid protection system and its components to achieve functional interoperability by design.  Such a methodology will be part of the necessary toolkit for transmission system planners and operators to design the most suitable HVDC grid protection system, considering long-term planning and expansions of the future hybrid AC/DC system.