A back-to-back VSC-HVDC system of Yu-E power transmission lines to improve cross-region capacity

Abstract

With the rapid development of hydropower in the southwest of China, the energy transmitted by ultra high voltage direct current (UHVDC) is ever increasing. At the same time, the power grid continues to expand westward, creating a service area. The stability of the Southwest China Power Grid is becoming a major issue. It is necessary to coordinate the development of hydropower and the construction of cross-region interconnections to optimize the grid structure. The Yu-E denotes the connection between the two region Yu (Chongqing) and E (Hubei) in China. The Yu-E project is a back-to-back voltage source converter based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) project designed to realize an asynchronous connection of the Southwest and Central China Power Grids. The project will improve the bi-directional power support capability and optimize the grid structure. In addition, the Yu-E project will improve hydropower cross-region transmission capacity and enable the Southwest China Power Grid to utilize the power from the Three Gorges in the Central China Power Grid. In this paper, the fault isolation, low-frequency oscillation, sub-synchronous oscillation and short-circuit level are investigated and analyzed. Meanwhile, the impact of the Yu-E project on AC systems is studied in detail. In the end, the overall system design of the Yu-E project is introduced. The research results show that the Yu-E project can increase the transmission capability of the Southwest and Central China Power Grids, and enhance the stability of asynchronously interconnected AC systems. At the same time, the Yu-E project also serves as a demonstration project for the future development and application of VSC technology for the world.