Abstract: Power systems, such as transmission systems, may comprise a series capacitor bank (SCB) to provide series compensation on a power line. The SCB may be electrically inserted into the power line or bypassed according to commands sent by remote systems. Such commands may be compromised in a cyberattack to cause deteriorated conditions and instability in the power system. Thus, according to an embodiment, a protection layer is provided in an SCB station to intercept commands prior to execution, assess the consistency of the commands with a physical state of the power system, and either allow or block the commands based on the assessment, to thereby protect the SCB from cyberattacks.

Abstract: Technologies for providing secure emergency power control of a high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) system include a controller. The controller includes circuitry configured to receive status data indicative of a present physical status of a power system. The circuitry is also configured to obtain an emergency power control command triggered by a remote source. The emergency power control command is to be executed by an HVDC transmission system of the power system. Further, the circuitry is configured to determine, as a function of the status data, whether the emergency power control command is consistent with the present physical status of the power system and block, in response to a determination that the emergency power control command is not consistent with the present physical status of the power system, execution of the emergency power control command by the HVDC transmission system.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of hybrid power plants are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a hybrid power plant system including a plurality of hybrid generation units each including an AC collection bus, an AC power source, an AC-AC power converter coupled to the AC power source and AC collection bus, a DC power source, a DC-AC converter coupled to the DC power source and the AC collection bus, an energy storage device, and a power transformer coupled to the AC collection bus and structured to receive AC power from the AC collection bus, step up a voltage of the received AC power, and output medium voltage AC (MVAC) power.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of fault protection. One exemplary embodiment is a protection system including a solid-state switching device, a galvanic isolation switching device, and a controller. The solid-state switching device is coupled between a switch arrangement of a power converter and a direct current (DC) link capacitor of the power converter. The galvanic isolation switching device is coupled between the DC link capacitor and a DC network. The controller is structured to determine a fault is occurring within the DC network, open the solid-state switching device in response to determining the fault is occurring, receive a measurement corresponding to an electrical characteristic of a fault current flowing through the galvanic isolation switching device while the solid-state switching device is open, and determine a location of the fault based on the received measurement.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a distribution system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an alternating current (AC) distribution system including a first substation including a first transformer and a protective device; a first distribution network portion coupled to the first transformer; a second substation; a second distribution network portion; a DC interconnection system coupled between the first distribution network portion and the second distribution network portion; and a control system. The control system is structured to detect a fault in the first transformer or the transmission network, isolate the first distribution network from the fault, determine a set point of the DC interconnection system, and operate the DC interconnection system using the set point so as to transfer a portion of the MVAC from the second distribution network portion to the first distribution network portion.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of feeder line fault response are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for operating an alternating current (AC) distribution network including a first feeder line, a second feeder line, and a third feeder line. The method includes isolating a faulted portion of the first feeder line from a healthy portion of the first feeder line; closing a tie switch coupled between the healthy portion and the second feeder line in response to isolating the faulted portion from the healthy portion; determining the second feeder line is experiencing an overload condition after closing the tie switch; and transferring AC power including transferring AC power using a direct current (DC) interconnection system coupled to the third feeder line effective to remove the overload condition from the second feeder line.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of feeder line fault response are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for operating an alternating current (AC) distribution network including a first feeder line, a second feeder line, and a third feeder line. The method includes isolating a faulted portion of the first feeder line from a healthy portion of the first feeder line; closing a tie switch coupled between the healthy portion and the second feeder line in response to isolating the faulted portion from the healthy portion; determining the second feeder line is experiencing an overload condition after closing the tie switch; and transferring AC power including transferring AC power using a direct current (DC) interconnection system coupled to the third feeder line effective to remove the overload condition from the second feeder line.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a distribution system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an alternating current (AC) distribution system including a first substation including a first transformer and a protective device; a first distribution network portion coupled to the first transformer; a second substation; a second distribution network portion; a DC interconnection system coupled between the first distribution network portion and the second distribution network portion; and a control system. The control system is structured to detect a fault in the first transformer or the transmission network, isolate the first distribution network from the fault, determine a set point of the DC interconnection system, and operate the DC interconnection system using the set point so as to transfer a portion of the MVAC from the second distribution network portion to the first distribution network portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting a direct-current (DC) electric power distribution system that includes one or more AC/DC converters and/or one more DC/DC converters, and one or more loads, connected by DC buses. An example method, which is carried out in response to the detection of a fault somewhere in the system, begins with limiting an output current of each of one or more of the converters so that each of the limited converters outputs a limited DC current at or about a corresponding predetermined current level. After the current limiting of the one or more converters has taken place, one or more protection devices in the system are activated, where the activating at least partly depends on the limited DC currents being at or about the predetermined fault current levels.

Abstract: Technologies for providing secure emergency power control of a high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) system include a controller. The controller includes circuitry configured to receive status data indicative of a present physical status of a power system. The circuitry is also configured to obtain an emergency power control command triggered by a remote source. The emergency power control command is to be executed by an HVDC transmission system of the power system. Further, the circuitry is configured to determine, as a function of the status data, whether the emergency power control command is consistent with the present physical status of the power system and block, in response to a determination that the emergency power control command is not consistent with the present physical status of the power system, execution of the emergency power control command by the HVDC transmission system.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of hybrid power plants are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a hybrid power plant system including a plurality of hybrid generation units each including an AC collection bus, an AC power source, an AC-AC power converter coupled to the AC power source and AC collection bus, a DC power source, a DC-AC converter coupled to the DC power source and the AC collection bus, an energy storage device, and a power transformer coupled to the AC collection bus and structured to receive AC power from the AC collection bus, step up a voltage of the received AC power, and output medium voltage AC (MVAC) power.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a DC fault isolation system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power conversion system comprising a converter including a midpoint connection structured to receive AC power, a first converter arm, a second converter arm, and a control system. The control system is configured to operate the converter a fault condition mode in response to a DC fault condition, wherein the fault condition mode operates at least one full bridge cell of the second converter arm so as to interrupt current flowing between the midpoint connection and the second DC bus rail and operates the first converter arm so as to allow the AC power to flow between the midpoint connection and the first DC bus rail in response to detecting the DC fault condition.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power collection system are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment is an MVDC collection system coupled to a utility grid including a collection bus, a plurality of branches coupled to the collection bus, and a branch controller. Each of the plurality of branches include a semiconductor switch coupled to the collection bus, and a DC/DC converter coupled to the semiconductor switch and an LVDC power source. The branch controller configured to determine a fault condition is occurring within the MVDC collection system, determine the location of the fault condition, and isolate the fault condition using at least one of the semiconductor switches and the DC/DC converters.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fault detection in a mixed configuration power transmission line including a plurality of sections arranged between one end of the transmission line and the other end of the transmission line and including at least one overhead line section and at least one cable section are disclosed. Based on a comparison travelling wave voltage or current time derivatives at the one end and the other end of the power transmission line with selected threshold values, it is determined if there is a fault occurring in at least one cable section of the power transmission line. Embodiments utilize amplification of travelling wave voltages and/or currents which may occur at junctions between a cable section and an adjacent overhead line section in determining if the fault occurs in a cable section of the power transmission line.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power collection system are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment is an MVDC collection system coupled to a utility grid including a collection bus, a plurality of branches coupled to the collection bus, and a branch controller. Each of the plurality of branches include a semiconductor switch coupled to the collection bus, and a DC/DC converter coupled to the semiconductor switch and an LVDC power source. The branch controller configured to determine a fault condition is occurring within the MVDC collection system, determine the location of the fault condition, and isolate the fault condition using at least one of the semiconductor switches and the DC/DC converters.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a DC fault isolation system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power conversion system comprising a converter including a midpoint connection structured to receive AC power, a first converter arm, a second converter arm, and a control system. The control system is configured to operate the converter a fault condition mode in response to a DC fault condition, wherein the fault condition mode operates at least one full bridge cell of the second converter arm so as to interrupt current flowing between the midpoint connection and the second DC bus rail and operates the first converter arm so as to allow the AC power to flow between the midpoint connection and the first DC bus rail in response to detecting the DC fault condition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fault detection in a mixed configuration power transmission line including a plurality of sections arranged between one end of the transmission line and the other end of the transmission line and including at least one overhead line section and at least one cable section are disclosed. Based on a comparison travelling wave voltage or current time derivatives at the one end and the other end of the power transmission line with selected threshold values, it is determined if there is a fault occurring in at least one cable section of the power transmission line. Embodiments utilize amplification of travelling wave voltages and/or currents which may occur at junctions between a cable section and an adjacent overhead line section in determining if the fault occurs in a cable section of the power transmission line.

Abstract: A wind turbine is disclosed having a generator and rectifier and structured to provide direct current power that in one form is medium voltage direct current (MVDC). The wind turbine includes a crowbar circuit arranged to protect from a condition such as an overvoltage. The crowbar can be activated based on a voltage measurement or rate of change of voltage. A resistor can be coupled to the crowbar to absorb excess power provided by the generator during the overvoltage condition. Individual wind turbines in a wind farm can each have individual crow bars that can be activated based on local measurement of a voltage condition. In some forms the crowbar can be coupled with a transformer, for example coupled with a tertiary winding of a three winding transformer.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a system for obtaining electricity from wind turbines provides advantageous operation with respect to offshore wind turbines where the size and weight of electricity generation and collection equipment are key considerations. The contemplated system includes an apparatus that is configured for collecting wind-generated electricity at a fixed low frequency and at a desired collection voltage, based on the advantageous configuration and use of a modular multilevel converter or MMC.

Abstract: A power distribution system for off-shore natural resource platforms includes an off-shore medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power bus. The MVDC power bus includes multiple power bus segments, each of which may be connected to one or more other power bus segments via a corresponding circuit breaker. Each power bus segment may also be electrically coupled to an off-shore renewable energy source, such as a wind farm, and/or an off-shore drilling platform. The off-shore drilling platforms may include local power distribution systems electrically connected to a corresponding power bus segment via a circuit breaker to receive power from the MVDC power bus and supply power to local equipment of the off-shore drilling platform.