Coordinated system services from offshore wind power plants connected through HVDC networks

This paper presents an overview of power system services in networks involving multiple onshore power systems, a voltage sourced converter (VSC) based high voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore network and an offshore wind power plant (OWPP). A comprehensive list of services regarding onshore as well as offshore network operation – both AC and DC – will be discussed from a state of the art perspective.

Among them, the most interesting have been selected and will be treated in more detail and the main contribution of this paper will be to shed light on the most relevant aspects related to their implementation. For example, new findings on onshore AC voltage control are reported, that help the characterisation of potential AC voltage control that a VSC-HVDC station may offer to an onshore AC grid.

The HVDC system behind the VSC-HVDC station may connect, through other converters, to another AC power system, or an OWPP, or both. Moreover, the implementation of power oscillation damping (POD) and HVDC voltage control into an OWPP controller is proposed, discussing the main challenges related to their efficient design.

Dynamic control challenges are assessed, in particular in relation to the inherent control and communication delays of OWPPs, and their influence on the successful delivery of the targeted services. Furthermore, it is shown that as an HVDC network increases in size from the point-to-point, the handling of onshore short circuits calls for the proper combination of DC chopper(s) and fast DC voltage control, depending on the specific case.

All the treated services are crucial from a transmission operator’s (TSO) perspective, to guarantee stability, security of supply and efficiency. For this reason, the paper proposes a qualitative benchmarking of the HVDC station and, when relevant, its combination with OWPPs, against a conventional power station of comparable size.

Consequently it will be pointed out what features will be critical for TSOs when partially or completely replacing conventional units with HVDC stations connected to neighbouring systems and/or OWPPs.