Pole-to-Ground Fault Analysis and Fast Protection Scheme for HVDC Based on Overhead Transmission Lines

Flexible direct current (DC) transmission network technology is an effective method for large capacity clean energy access to power grids, but the DC short-circuit fault detection for it is a difficult problem. In this paper, the pole-to-ground fault transient characteristics in a multi-terminal DC power grid, based on overhead transmission lines and DC circuit breakers, are analyzed firstly. Then, a fast protection scheme is proposed according to the fault transient characteristics. Only local information is utilized for fault detection and location in the proposed scheme. Moreover, the scheme is verified to have the advantages of fast action speed, high reliability and the ability to resist the transition resistance. A four terminal DC power grid model based on actual engineering parameters is established in PSCAD/EMTDC, and the validity of the protection scheme under different fault conditions is verified by simulation results.