A Robust Reactive Power Control-Based Protection Paradigm for Large AC Systems with Offshore Wind Turbines

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Iran Grid Management Company (IGMC), Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The generated electrical power from offshore wind turbines is usually transferred to the main power system through HVDC systems. Nevertheless, if there is a fault at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) bus of grid-side power converter (GSPC) of the HVDC system, the performance of the distance protection layout of the AC system may be deteriorated because of the fast-dynamic response of the GSPC in reactive power injection into the main AC system. This causes the distance relay to overes-timate the measured impedance, endangering power system security and continuation of supply. Since the GSPC effectively controls the injected reactive power into the AC system, the current paper pro-poses a novel sliding mode control-based scheme for the GSPC to reduce the impact of GSPC action on the performance of the distance relays. The nonlinear dynamics of the GSPC are considered when designing and applying the proposed controller to the GSPC model. The proposed controller is im-plemented in the current control loop of GSPC, facilitating the smooth output current control of GSPC. The main outcome of the proposed paradigm is that the suggested control scheme of GSPC, considers the current flowing through the distance relay. Accordingly, it can appropriately control the output current of the GSPC during a fault. Thus, the action of the GSPC does not affect the distance backup protection. The robustness of the proposed paradigm and proper fast dynamic response of the GSPC, are evaluated in PSCAD/EMTDC. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Operation and Automation in Power Engineering

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 18 July 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 26 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 December 2025
  • First Publish Date: 18 July 2026

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