Stability and interaction analysis in islanded power systems including VSC-HVDC and LCC-HVDC power converters

Islanded power systems are often connected to larger mainland power systems using HVDC cables. These interconnections are used to import power at lower cost compared to local generation and improve the security of supply. The increase of HVDC interconnectors in islanded systems will allow the reduction of local synchronous generation, which might lead to new interaction and stability problems due to the low inertia and short-circuit power available in the system. Traditionally LCC-HVDC technology has been used to connect island grids, but recently VSCs are presented as an alternative solution that offers more controllability to the islanded grid. Therefore, in order to increase the power transfer to the islands multi-infeed hybrid HVSC systems with VSCs and LCCs might become a common solution. The introduction of VSCs in islanded systems will allow operations in weak grids, but possible interactions with LCCs must be analysed in detail. This paper introduces the potential interactions in multi-infeed HVDC systems with LCCs and VSCs. An initial benchmark model of an islanded power system with a LCC and a VSC-HVDC link is presented to analyse new interaction phenomena between the converters and the islanded AC grid. Simulation results in PSCAD/EMTDC are presented to validate the benchmark model for voltage stability and commutation failure analysis