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| Reference Number | NIA2_NGET0072 | |
| Title | Evolution of VSC HVDC Control | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources (Wind Energy) 10%; Other Power and Storage Technologies (Electricity transmission and distribution) 90%; |
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| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact National Grid Electricity Transmission |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 October 2025 | |
| End Date | 31 October 2027 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £599,095 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission |
| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGET0072 |
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| Objectives | To derisk Great Britain's future network and support the energy transition, Studies are needed to explore existing and emerging control scheme proposals and identify which converter and control functionalities need improvement as inverters are connected in closer proximity, adopt new topologies, and exhibit stronger interactions. The proposed method includes: Conduct a comprehensive horizon scan on evolving VSC-HVDC control developments through literature review, classification, and gap analysis. Formulate a common analysis framework that enables the comparison of different proposed control behaviours (control layers) based on a unified mathematical analysis and common metrics. Investigating power-loop and supplementary control solutions in terms of dynamic performance, identifying new or combined control strategies to meet key requirements for integrating new VSC HVDC systems into the AC network. Examining the impacts of multiple HVDC inverter integration under the HND model (and other relevant topologies) on existing AC networks, using simulations complemented by mathematical analysis.PSCAD/EMTDC will be used as a leading, and widely accepted, detailed EMTDC modelling package, in combination with Matlab/SIMULINK simulations.Data Quality Statement (DQS):?The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with OFGEM, ENA?and NGGT / NGET internal policy. Data produced as part of this project will be?subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each?deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information?are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored?on our internal?sharepoint?platform ensuring access control, backup and version?management. Relevant project documentation and reports will also be made?available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal and dissemination material will be?shared with the relevant stakeholders.??Measurement Quality Statement (MQS):??The methodology used in this project will be subject to our suppliers own quality?assurance regime. Quality assurance processes and?the source of data, measurement processes and equipment as well as data?processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs?and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant?deliverables and final project report and will be made available for review.Risk Assessment: TRL Change = 1 Cost = 1Supplier = 1 Data = 2 Total risk score = 5 Low (L) Work Package 1: Horizon Scan on Evolving VSC Control DevelopmentsThis task will capture the latest research on controllers that provide services from Voltage Source Converter (VSC) systems, including High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), energy storage, renewable energy generation, and Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs). A review of hardware configurations will also be conducted. This initial analysis will facilitate a gap analysis, mapping controllers against required services to identify opportunities for new techniques. The project will begin with an initial period of research, supplemented by regular updates and reviews.Deliverable: Study report and paper for submission.Work Package 2: Investigation of Power-Loop and Supplementary Control SolutionsThis work package focuses on the dynamic performance of VSC systems in power networks, which are rapidly evolving. As the demand for increasingly complex services grows, it is essential to assess proposed solutions and models in the literature. The objective is to capture the dominant dynamics of the converter within a general model and to determine the extent to which model order reduction can be applied to analyse future proposed controllers while preserving relevant dynamic phenomena.2.1 Analytical Controller Framework and General Model FormulationMany control structures operate using different approaches, making direct comparisons challenging. To facilitate this, individual controllers will be reformulated into a common representational framework. This unified model will enable comparative assessments. Simulation verification will ensure that this approach does not overlook any critical characteristics. The control framework will be integrated into the previously developed PSCAD/EMTDC multi-level VSC HVDC model.Deliverable: Framework analysis report and paper for submission.2.2 Converter Control Analysis Applied to Selected ScenariosThis task aims to evaluate the suitability of individual converter performances in delivering specific services across various scenarios. The controls developed in section 2.1 will be used to analyse converter performance based on scenarios created in collaboration with industrial sponsors. The ability of different controller sets to respond to these scenarios will be examined, identifying any performance gaps or necessary services. A model order reduction methodology will be applied to determine which relevant dynamic phenomena need to be captured for different system interaction studies. While a combination of services with varying timeframes will be used, the full-order model will verify the reduced-order models, which will help identify limit cases and generalizability.Deliverable: Study report and academic paper for submission.A back-to-fundamentals approach will be adopted, developing dynamic models of both the system (small but representative) and the converters (more detailed). However, model order reduction will be employed to simplify the detailed models for analytical study, as these models may be too complex for direct mathematical analysis and physical generalizability.Work Package 3: Understanding the Suitability of Public Domain ModelsThis work package will investigate the impacts of integrating multiple HVDC inverters under the HND model on existing AC networks, using simulations complemented by mathematical analysis. It will examine the interaction and instability mechanisms of multiple converters (with varying topologies and operation modesgrid-forming or grid-following) operating concurrently within the network. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of interaction and instability-related limitations on network utilization.3.1 Interaction and Instability Mechanisms of Power Systems with Multiple ConvertersThe previously developed PSCAD/EMTDC multi-level VSC HVDC model will serve as the foundation for converter representation. Initially, two converters will be introduced into a small, representative test network to illustrate characteristic cases. Various candidate scenarios recommended by industry will be tested to investigate emerging topology and control scenarios, focusing on gaps in converter performance and specifications.Deliverable: Testing report and paper for submission.3.2 Investigation of Model Order Reduction of Converters and Gap AnalysisModel reduction and mathematical analysis will further explore the critical conditions identified in section 3.1, verified through simulation studies on full PSCAD models. This will involve multiple methodologies, including a physics-based method that considers the dominant eigenmodes associated with each set of control frequencies and mathematical reduction using residual minimization and truncation. Suitable methodologies will be applied to analyse the reduced-order mathematical models to identify causes and potential control remedies based on emerging literature.Deliverable: Model description, study report, and paper for submission. Disseminate key results of the project and learnings via final dissemination workshop. The key objectives of this project are as follows:Conduct a Comprehensive Horizon Scan to capture and analyse the latest research and developments in VSC control technologies and models, including HVDC, energy storage, renewable energy generation, and STATCOMs, and to identify gaps and opportunities for innovation in control techniques.Investigate power-loop and supplementary control solutions and identify new or combined control strategies that meet the integration requirements of new VSC HVDC systems into existing AC networks.Develop a common representational framework for various control structures, enabling direct comparison and assessment of individual controllers within a unified model, while ensuring that critical characteristics are preserved through simulation verification.Assess the suitability of individual converter performances in delivering specific services under a variety of operational scenarios, identifying performance gaps and necessary services through model order reduction methodologies.Investigate Interaction and Instability Mechanisms of multiple HVDC inverters operating concurrently within AC networks, focusing on different converter topologies and operation modes to understand their impact on network utilization.Develop appropriate generic modelling details and techniques that accurately capture VSC instability and interaction mechanisms, offering guidance on model reductions. | |
| Abstract | As the network evolves rapidly, its dynamic behaviour is becoming increasingly complex, potentially introducing new performance challenges for inverter control. The control and performance requirements for inverters are also evolving in tandem with these network changes. This project aims to enhance our understanding of emerging and applied VSC HVDC modelling and controls, which includes evaluating their suitability for the required performance, examining the interaction and instability mechanisms of multiple converters, and providing validated generic models of these systems. This understanding is essential for identifying the necessary control and performance requirements, gaps in specifications, and areas for modelling improvement. Ultimately, this will help mitigate risks for Great Britain's future network and support the energy transition needed to achieve the Net Zero target. | |
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| Added to Database | 24/04/26 | |
