Analysis of Commutation Failure Resistance Capability of Hybrid Controllable Converter
摘要
The semi-controlled thyristor-based converter valve serves as core equipment in a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, relying on external AC voltage for inter-bridge arm commutation. These systems remain highly vulnerable to the commutation failure (CF) when AC network faults or disturbances occur. In multi-infeed HVDC configurations, a single AC fault can trigger simultaneous CFs across multiple DC links, potentially creating multi-gigawatt power deficits. The CF issue has become a critical bottleneck constraining the advancement of China West-East Power Transmission Project. Existing engineering solutions like CF prediction and AC voltage support help reduce CF probabilities and mitigate systemic risks, but cannot fundamentally eliminate CF. This paper proposes a hybrid controllable converter architecture integrating semi-controlled thyristors with fully-controlled IGCTs. By employing IGCTs to ensure the recovery and turn-off operation of the thyristor, controlled inter-arm commutation is realized. To minimize converter steady-state losses and reduce energy absorption requirements for IGCT-paralleled surge arresters, the IGCT valves maintain zero-current turning off during normal operation. Using a bipolar HVDC system model, the receiving-end converter is replaced with the hybrid converter. Transient simulations of single-phase and three-phase AC faults in the receiving grid demonstrate the hybrid converter ability to sustain higher power transmission during contingencies, exhibiting superior fault ride-through capacity and system support performance.