Zero missing effect transient analysis on the 150 kV AC interconnection between Crete and Peloponnese

The 44 km long underground and 132 km long submarine cables constitute the 150 kV AC interconnection between Peloponnese and Crete one of the most technically challenging worldwide. In this paper, the occurrence of the zero-missing phenomenon is examined This phenomenon is attributed to the large percentage of reactive power compensation through shunt reactors needed in long HVAC cables and is represented by a current not crossing zero for several cycles after the cable energization. It poses a significant risk to the power system, since in the case of a faulted cable during energization it may become impossible to open the healthy-phase poles of a circuit breaker without damaging the breaker. The basic circuit of the interconnection is modelled in the EMTP-RV software and the conditions causing the zero-missing phenomenon are simulated. The results reveal the observance of the zero-missing phenomenon under various possible energization schemes, both for faulted and healthy cables. Moreover, the conducted sensitivity analysis indicates the effect of various parameters, including the switching angle of the circuit breaker and the degree of reactive compensation of the cable, on the duration of the zero-missing phenomenon. Finally, various preventive or mitigation countermeasures of the zero-missing phenomenon are proposed.