Multi-part load flow controller for DC voltage networks

Abstract

The invention relates to a load flow controller module (2) for a load flow controller (1) having a first and a second voltage source (61, 62), wherein the first and second voltage source (61, 62) are each directly electrically connected to a transmission connection (41, 42) and are designed to generate a voltage having a DC component and an AC component. The invention furthermore relates to a load flow controller (1) for transmitting electrical power between a first DC voltage subnetwork (11) and a second DC voltage subnetwork (12), wherein the load flow controller (1) comprises two such load flow controller modules (2). The invention further relates to a DC voltage network (10) having such a load flow controller (1) and a first and a second DC voltage subnetwork (11, 12), each of the DC voltage subnetworks (11, 12) being electrically connected to a network connection (4) of the two load flow controller modules (2), the lines (8) being arranged between the two load flow controllers (41, 42). The invention further relates to a method for operating such a load flow controller (1) or such a DC voltage network (10), wherein a first of the two load flow controller modules (2) a respective DC voltage component is generated by the first and second voltage source (61, 62) depending on a first direct current (iDC,1) between the network connection (4) and the first or second transmission connection (41, 42), the first and the second voltage source (61, 62) also each generating an AC voltage component which compensates for the power exchange between the two voltage sources (61, 62) caused by the DC voltage component, the first voltage source (61) of the second of the two load flow controller modules (2) generating an AC voltage component which compensates for an alternating current through the load flow controller module (2), the voltage sources (61, 62) of the second of the two load flow controller modules (2) each generating a DC voltage component which is dimensioned in such a way that the power exchange caused by the DC voltage component compensates for the power exchange caused by the AC voltage component.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Multi-part load flow controller for DC networks

[0003] The invention relates to a load flow controller module for a load flow controller comprising a grid connection, a first transmission connection, a second transmission connection, and a first voltage source. The invention further relates to a load flow controller for transmitting electrical energy between a first DC subnetwork and a second DC subnetwork of a DC network by means of two lines. The invention further relates to a DC network comprising such a load flow controller, a first and a second DC subnetwork, and two lines. The invention further relates to a device for operating such a load flow controller or such a DC network.

[0004] In meshed DC networks, or more generally in parallel DC transmission paths that can also be considered part of a DC network, the power distribution across the individual paths cannot be directly controlled by the connected converters. A DC network is considered meshed, among other things, when different paths are available for energy transmission, particularly via different network nodes, allowing energy to flow between a power source and a power sink, or more generally, between two DC subnetworks. An uncontrolled distribution of the load flow can lead to increased transmission losses or, in extreme cases, to an overload of a DC network or a DC subnetwork, especially an overload of system components, and thus to a system failure.This applies both to regular operation, in which the individual transmission resistances can vary over time, and to fault cases, in which, for example, individual parallel paths fail completely.

[0005] In AC networks, load flow control has been established for decades and is achieved by adjusting reactive power. In DC networks, the load flow can be influenced, for example, by a DC voltage and by transmission resistances. However, this leads to losses and requires electrical energy to introduce the DC voltage.

[0006] Direct current (DC) networks are also known as DC networks. Alternating current (AC) networks are also known as AC networks. A DC subnetwork is a part of a DC network. A DC network can comprise multiple DC subnetworks. A DC subnetwork has at least one power source or electrical load. It can also have multiple power sources and / or multiple electrical loads.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of improving a load flow controller for influencing the power flow within a DC network.

[0008] This problem is solved by a load flow controller module having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a load flow controller having the features of claim 8. This problem is further solved by a DC network having the features of claim 9. This problem is further solved by a method for operating such a load flow controller or such a DC network having the features of claim 11.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention is based, among other things, on the finding that the load flow controller can be implemented in a particularly simple way if each of the voltage sources generates a DC voltage component and an AC voltage component. It has been shown that the energies exchanged by the voltage sources—a first energy generated by the DC voltage component and a DC current, and a second energy generated by the AC voltage component and an AC current—can be controlled independently of each other.

[0011] Any DC-free waveform can be used to generate the AC component. In particular, the waveforms of a sine wave, a square wave, a trapezoidal waveform, or a triangular waveform can be used for this purpose.

[0012] The DC voltage drop between the grid connection and the first and second transmission terminals is used to influence the distribution of the energy flow between these terminals. The DC voltage between the grid connection and the first transmission terminal is generated by the DC component of the first voltage source. The DC voltage between the grid connection and the second transmission terminal is generated by the DC component of the second voltage source.

[0013] The voltage sources must be able to absorb and release the energy exchange resulting from the generated DC voltage component and the available DC current. For this, the DC voltage sources require a suitable energy storage device or, alternatively, must exchange the energy demand with the DC grid via additional connections.

[0014] The distribution of energy flow between the first and second transmission points can involve the same energy flow direction or different energy flow directions. A different energy flow direction would mean, for example, that 140% of the energy demand is supplied via the first transmission point towards the connected line, while 40% of the energy demand is transmitted via the second transmission point towards the grid connection. However, a typical distribution usually involves the same energy flow direction from the grid connection to the first and second transmission points, or vice versa, where the 100% of the energy demand is divided into respective shares ranging from 0% to 100%, which together equal 100%. Otherwise, energy would flow in a loop, which is generally undesirable due to the utilization of the DC grid.

[0015] It has been shown that the energy demand to be supplied or received by the voltage sources can be reduced by generating an AC component in addition to the DC component. However, to avoid burdening the DC subnetworks, between which energy exchange takes place, with AC voltage or current, the individual DC subnetworks are electrically connected via a load flow controller module. The load flow controller modules involved in the energy transmission form the load flow controller. This makes it possible to avoid AC voltages and currents in the individual DC subnetworks. During operation of the load flow controller, the AC components cancel each other out because the voltages of the first voltage sources of the two load flow controller modules cancel each other out between the DC subnetworks.The same applies to the AC components of the second voltage sources of the two load flow controller modules. In other words, the AC components of the first voltage sources cancel each other out in a voltage between the DC subnetworks. This is achieved, for example, by ensuring that the AC component of the first voltage source of the first load flow controller module has the same sign as the AC component of the first voltage source of the second load flow controller module, assuming the same reference arrow directions. Simultaneously, the AC components of the second voltage sources of the two load flow controller modules cancel each other out in a voltage between the grid connection and the second transmission connection. This is achieved, for example, by ensuring that the AC components of the respective second voltage sources have the same sign, assuming the same reference arrow directions.

[0016] A cancellation or compensation can be assumed if, after compensation, a residual voltage of no more than 5% of the amplitude of the AC voltage component remains in the corresponding line. For sinusoidal, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular waveforms, compensation can be achieved by ensuring that the amplitudes are equal or nearly equal and exhibit no phase difference with the same reference arrow direction from the grid connection to the transmission connection. In other words, for a sinusoidal, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular waveform, the AC voltage components of the respective first and second voltage sources are equal.

[0017] The first voltage source, the second voltage source, and the first current path form a loop in which a first alternating current develops, dependent on the AC component of the first voltage source and the AC component of the second voltage source. The first current path prevents the formation of a direct current in this loop. To improve the controllability and regulation of the first alternating current, it has proven advantageous to place an inductor in the loop. In particular, the inductor can be located in the first current path. To suppress the direct current through the first current path, the first current path can, for example, include a capacitor, which may be connected in series with the inductor. This loop is formed in both load flow controller modules of the load flow controller.

[0018] The independent control of the AC and DC components can be achieved such that, in the voltage sources, the energy exchange resulting from the DC components counteracts the energy exchange caused by the AC components. In other words, the DC and AC components of the respective voltage sources are selected such that the first energy, caused by the DC component and a direct current, and the second energy, caused by the AC component and an alternating current, cancel each other out. This allows the energy storage capacity of the voltage source to be particularly small. Furthermore, this voltage source requires no additional connections for energy exchange with the DC network. The corresponding voltage source can then have exactly two connections.

[0019] The method for operating the multi-stage load flow controller is based on the understanding that, for the distribution of currents between the two lines, a DC voltage component must be provided for both the first and second voltage sources. This is achieved with the first load flow controller module, which is electrically connected to the first DC subnetwork. The levels of these components must be selected such that the energy exchanged at the voltage sources is the same in magnitude due to the DC component, but differs in sign. This exchanged energy is compensated by an AC voltage component, resulting in an alternating current in the loop. When the first load flow controller module intervenes, the second load flow controller module detects an alternating current resulting from the AC voltage component of the first load flow controller module.To compensate, a corresponding AC voltage component is generated by the second load flow controller module, which compensates for the AC current. The resulting energy exchange between the two voltage sources is compensated by a DC voltage component. Due to the DC voltage component, the DC voltage component of the first load flow controller module also changes. This continues until a stable operating point is established. It is particularly advantageous that this method can be carried out without communication between the two load flow controller modules. This is especially beneficial because the two load flow controller modules can often be located far apart. Such communication would be prone to interference and expensive. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous that a load flow controller with two such load flow controller modules can be operated stably and reliably without communication between the load flow controller modules.

[0020] The load flow controller is particularly advantageous if it includes a control device configured to execute the method, or at least parts of the method, for operating such a load flow controller. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the load flow controller module includes another control device configured to generate a DC voltage component from the first and second voltage sources, depending on either a first DC current between the grid connection and the first transmission connection and / or a second DC current between the grid connection and the second transmission connection, wherein the energy exchange between the two voltage sources caused by the DC voltage component has the same magnitude but opposite sign, and wherein the first and second voltage sources each generate an AC voltage component.which compensates for the energy exchange between the two voltage sources caused by the DC component, or to detect an alternating current or voltage relative to a reference potential at the first transmission terminal, wherein the first voltage source generates an AC component that counteracts or compensates for an alternating current through the load flow control module, wherein the voltage sources each generate a DC component dimensioned such that the energy exchange caused by the AC component is compensated by the energy exchange caused by the DC component.

[0021] The alternating current through the load flow control module is either the measured current or the alternating current generated by the AC voltage component of the other load flow control module.

[0022] The load flow controller is part of a DC power grid. It connects a first DC subnetwork to a second DC subnetwork. This connection is established via two lines, each connected to one of the transmission terminals. These lines can span extensive sections of a DC power grid. The load flow controller allows the distribution of power between the two lines to be influenced, controlled, or regulated.

[0023] Especially in a complex DC network with differing lengths of the first and second lines, the use of the proposed load flow controller can be particularly advantageous. Due to the existing impedance ratios, significant differences in line lengths (exceeding 10%) can lead to a highly uneven distribution of power flow, resulting in overloading of individual parts of the DC network. This effect is especially pronounced when the first and second lines differ by more than 40%. To avoid these overloads and ensure optimal utilization of the existing components and lines in the DC network, the use of the load flow controller has proven particularly helpful and beneficial.

[0024] The alternating current components of the first and second voltage sources have the same frequency. This identical frequency enables energy exchange between them. Therefore, both the first and second voltage sources operate with an alternating current component at the same frequency.

[0025] With the same impedance ratios of the two load flow controller modules in their respective mesh, the same magnitude of DC voltage component results at the stable operating point for both the first two voltage sources and the second two voltage sources.

[0026] The proposed method results in a net energy exchange of each voltage source, based on the respective DC and AC components of the voltage sources, of zero energy on average over time. This makes it possible to operate all voltage sources of the two load flow controller modules in an energy-neutral manner. In other words, the voltage sources neither consume nor supply energy on average during such operation.

[0027] This makes it possible to operate the first and second voltage sources without requiring any energy input. The voltage sources do not require a connection for exchanging electrical energy with the DC network. Therefore, the voltage sources only need exactly two connections. Any energy storage device for the voltage sources can also be made very small, since only small amounts of energy need to be exchanged.

[0028] The load flow controller comprises at least two load flow controller modules, wherein the load flow controller modules are designed to be electrically connected to each other at the transmission terminals by means of cables.

[0029] A direct connection means that no other components, in particular no voltage sources or other energy sources, are located between the elements that are directly electrically connected. For the direct connection of the line to the transmission terminal, this means that no other component, in particular no voltage source or other energy source, is located between the respective transmission terminal and the line. In other words, the connection between the transmission terminal and the line is source-free.

[0030] The absence of a voltage source or other energy source in the connection between the transmission point and the line results in an alternating voltage that represents the line's potential relative to a reference potential such as earth potential. However, the proposed method for operating the load flow controller module ensures that no alternating current develops on the line despite this alternating voltage. Furthermore, it has been shown that the effect of the alternating voltage can even be used to advantage. With the proposed method, the amplitude of the alternating voltage depends on the power transmitted via direct current. This alternating voltage can then be used for communication between two load flow controller modules of a load flow controller.For example, if the power output of one load flow controller module increases, the second load flow controller module can also increase its output, for instance, through appropriate feedforward control, without increasing the energy stored in the second load flow controller module. This allows not only for smaller energy storage capacities in the respective load flow controller modules, but also makes it possible to increase the dynamics of energy transfer, particularly when changes occur. Simultaneously, no common control device is required that has access to measured values ​​from both load flow controller modules. A common or higher-level control device is therefore unnecessary. In other words, the load flow controller is independent of a higher-level control device.The communication between the load flow controller modules, required for high dynamics and / or smaller energy storage capacities, takes place via the alternating voltage between the line potential and a reference potential such as ground potential. For this communication between the load flow controller modules, either the amplitude or the frequency, or a combination of both, can be used.

[0031] By eliminating the need for a voltage source or submodules between the transmission interface and the line, the proposed arrangement is significantly simpler compared to previously known solutions. This makes the proposed design not only more cost-effective but also considerably more reliable, with a lower probability of failure. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the voltage sources is formed by a submodule or a series connection of submodules, wherein the submodule comprises at least two semiconductor switches and at least one capacitor, arranged such that the semiconductors can generate at least the switching states of short circuit and capacitor voltage at the terminals of the submodule. Such a submodule is already known from a modular multilevel converter (M2C or MMC).Such a submodule has exactly two terminals, which determine the voltage of the voltage source and simultaneously facilitate energy exchange with the energy storage device, the capacitor. This type of submodule is also referred to as a two-pole submodule. This allows all voltage sources that are operated in an energy-neutral manner, for example using the proposed method, to be operated by submodules or a series connection of submodules. No additional energy control is required, which is why these submodules have exactly two terminals. This enables all voltage sources to be operated in an energy-neutral manner, and all voltage sources can be implemented using a single submodule or a series connection of submodules.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the submodule comprises at least four semiconductor switches and at least one capacitor, arranged such that the switching states of short circuit, positive capacitor voltage, and negative capacitor voltage can be generated at the terminals of the submodule by means of the semiconductors. One possible embodiment for such a submodule is the so-called full-bridge module. This allows the provision of a voltage with opposite polarity. This makes it possible to ensure energy-neutral operation of all voltage sources of the load flow controller under all operating conditions. Thus, all voltage sources can be formed by a two-pole submodule or a series connection of two-pole submodules. In this case, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the submodule or submodules can each have exactly two terminals.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the submodule(s) have exactly two connections for exchanging electrical energy. During energy-neutral operation, it is possible to perform the energy exchange solely via these two connections of the submodule. Additional connections for charging or discharging the energy storage device, independent of the voltage of the power source, are not required. The submodule may, however, have further connections, for example, for control or regulation, cooling, etc., which do not contribute, or do not significantly contribute, to the energy transfer.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first current path is formed by a DC voltage source. A particularly simple embodiment of the first path can be achieved using a DC voltage source. In this case, the voltage of the DC voltage source is controlled or regulated in such a way as to prevent the formation of a direct current in the path. Thus, the DC voltage source can be of the same construction as the voltage sources. For example, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the DC voltage sources can be formed by a further submodule or a series connection of further submodules, wherein the further submodule has at least two semiconductor switches and at least one capacitor, which are arranged such that at least the switching states of short circuit and capacitor voltage can be generated at terminals of the further submodule by means of the semiconductors.This increases the number of common components, thereby not only improving reliability but also enabling cost-effective manufacturing of the load flow controller. The DC voltage sources can be configured as a sub-module or as a series connection of sub-modules, with each sub-module comprising at least two semiconductor switches and at least one capacitor, arranged such that the semiconductors can generate at least the short-circuit and capacitor voltage switching states at the sub-module's terminals.

[0035] The invention will now be described and explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0036] FIG 1 a DC network with a load flow controller,

[0037] FIG 2 shows an embodiment of a load flow controller,

[0038] FIG 3, FIG 4 Overview images to illustrate the operating procedure and

[0039] FIGS. 5 to FIGS. 7 show examples of submodules.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a DC network 10 with a first DC subnetwork 11 and a second DC subnetwork 12. These DC subnetworks 11 and 12 each have at least one power source or electrical load. Furthermore, these DC subnetworks 11 and 12 can also have a plurality of power sources and / or electrical loads. Energy exchange within the DC network 10 takes place using a DC voltage. The first DC subnetwork 11 is connected to the second DC subnetwork 12 via lines 8. The behavior of the lines 8 can be controlled by means of a resistor R. x and an inductance L LXThe lines are modeled. The lines do not necessarily have to run parallel, but can represent different paths in a meshed DC network 10. One of the lines 8 can also be formed via a network node 5 that is far removed from the other line. This leads to a significant difference in the line lengths, i.e., by more than 10%, and in the case of a route via such a distant network node 5, even by more than 40% in some cases. Without suitable measures, this would lead to different utilization and thus to an unequal load on the two lines 8. In order to influence the load by distributing the currents and the associated power, a load flow controller module 2 is arranged in series with the lines 8 between the DC subnetwork 11, 12 and the lines 8. The two load flow controller modules 2 form the load flow controller.Communication between the two is not required due to the proposed operating procedure.

[0041] The load flow controller 1 has a network connection 4, a first transmission connection 41, and a second transmission connection 42. The network connection 4 serves to connect to the first DC subnetwork 11. A first voltage source 61 is arranged between the network connection 4 and the first transmission connection 41. A second voltage source 62 is arranged between the network connection 4 and the second transmission connection 42.

[0042] A first current path 71 is arranged between the first transmission terminal 41 and the second transmission terminal 42. This path is designed to prevent the generation of a direct current through it. As explained in more detail in the following figures, the first current path 71 serves to create a mesh 81 for an alternating current, allowing electrical energy to be exchanged between the elements of the mesh 81. This allows any energy demand or surplus resulting from the direct voltage components of the individual voltage sources 61, 62 to be balanced and compensated by the respective alternating voltage component. Simultaneously, these alternating voltage components do not appear outside the load flow controller 1, i.e., in the direct voltage subnetworks 10, 11.

[0043] By appropriately selecting the DC and AC components of the respective voltage sources 61, 62, the DC energy demands and surpluses can be completely balanced by the AC components. This enables the use of voltage sources that only have a low-capacity energy storage device. Likewise, these voltage sources do not require any additional connections for energy exchange with the DC network 10. These characteristics allow the use of submodules 3, which are already known from a modular multilevel converter. A corresponding embodiment of such a configuration is shown in FIG. 2. The submodules 3 of this configuration have exactly two connections 33. Depending on the required voltage, a single submodule 3 or a series connection of submodules 3 is used for a voltage source.Further submodules 9 can also be used for the realization of the first current path 71. Since this current path 71, realized by a DC voltage source 66, only needs to provide a unipolar voltage, i.e., only a voltage with one sign, unipolar submodules such as a half-bridge module or a double half-bridge module can be used as further submodules 9.

[0044] The effect of the DC voltage components can be clearly illustrated using FIG. 3. The load flow controller modules 2 each generate a DC voltage component of the first voltage source 61 with the voltage ui. a or ui b , which is called voltage U a = ui b - ui a The same applies to the second DC voltage sources 62 of the two load flow controller modules 2 with the voltage Ub = U2. b -U2 a The inductances Li_ xhave no influence on direct current. Thus, the following relationship emerges.

[0045] U a + I ■ i-DC,l = b + ^L2 ' ^DC,2 -

[0046] In order to achieve energy-neutral operation of the voltage sources using alternating current, the energies exchanged by the direct current component of the first voltage source 61 and the second voltage source 62 are equal in magnitude but differ in sign. This leads to

[0047] U a ' >-DC,I = ~ Ub ' -DC,2 -

[0048] If we now introduce two auxiliary variables

[0049] / = —— l — Current division factor and

[0050] K, = — resistance ratio

[0051] L If RLI is used to describe the system state, the following voltages result, which allow the load flow controller to be operated in an energy-neutral manner and

[0052] This allows any desired current distribution Ki to be controlled or regulated. It is also possible to switch a line off (Ki=1 or Ki=0) or to reverse the current flow. The specified values ​​for the DC components also fulfill the condition that the first and second voltage sources exchange the same amount of energy, with these sums differing in sign.

[0053] Current and power distribution can be controlled using a closed-loop control system, with the aforementioned values ​​being suitable for feedforward control. This control loop can, for example, utilize a PI controller. This allows for the reliable compensation of inaccuracies, changing parameters in the DC network, and disturbances.

[0054] Furthermore, the voltage sources 61 and 62 each generate an AC voltage component. The AC voltage components of the first voltage sources 61 of the two load flow controller modules 2 of a load flow controller, as well as the AC voltage components of the second voltage sources 62, cancel each other out in such a way that they are not included in the voltage between the DC subnetworks 11 and 12. FIG. 4 serves to describe the AC voltage components of the voltage sources 61 and 62. The simplification of FIG. 3 for the DC voltage components was possible compared to FIG. 4 because the first current path 71 does not carry any DC current or sufficiently suppresses it. The first current path therefore acts as an open circuit for the DC voltage. However, the first current path 71 is also important for the AC voltage components, since the first voltage source 61, the second voltage source 62, and the first current path 71 form a loop 81.The DC voltage source 66 has no influence on the AC voltage behavior. The first voltage source 61 and the second voltage source 62 generate an alternating current in this loop 81, which causes an exchange of electrical energy between the first voltage source 61 and the second voltage source 62. This energy exchange corresponds in magnitude to the energy exchange caused by the DC component and balances it out over time. This energy exchange occurs in both load flow controller modules 2 of the load flow controller, so that here too the energy of the DC component is balanced out over time.

[0055] If the inductance 21 is the same in both load flow controller modules 2, then, with the same AC voltage component, the same AC current is generated in the respective loop 81 in both load flow controller modules 2. Therefore, the exchanged energies are also the same in both load flow controller modules. The distribution of the DC voltage U then also occurs. aand Ub are distributed equally to the DC voltage components of the respective load flow control modules 2. If, for example, different AC currents develop in the respective meshes 81 due to different inductances 21, and therefore different energy exchanges occur in the load flow control modules 2, the distribution of the DC voltage components is adjusted accordingly to the energy ratios of the AC voltage components. This ensures that, for every operating state, the energies of the voltage sources 61, 62 of both load flow control modules 2 balance each other in such a way that all voltage sources can be operated in an energy-neutral manner. This allows the use of voltage sources that have no or small energy storage devices with low capacity. Likewise, these voltage sources do not require any additional connections to exchange energy with the DC grid via other connections.This allows, for example, the use of two-pole submodules 3, which are known and proven from the application of a modular multilevel power converter.

[0056] The following figures show exemplary embodiments of such a submodule 3. One embodiment of such a two-terminal submodule 3 is shown in FIG. 5. The submodule 3 has two semiconductor switches 31 arranged in series. A capacitor 32 is arranged in parallel with the series-arranged semiconductor switches 31, and a capacitor voltage Uc is applied to it. By means of switching operations of the semiconductor switches 31, the capacitor voltage or a short circuit, i.e., U = 0 V, can be generated at terminals 33 of the submodule 3. The submodule has exactly two terminals. Thus, the capacitor can only be charged or discharged via these terminals. A first terminal 33 of the two terminals 33 of the submodule 3 is electrically connected to the connection between the two semiconductor switches 31. A second terminal 33 of the two terminals 33 is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the capacitor 32.Such a submodule 3 is also called a half-bridge module.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a submodule 3. This two-terminal submodule 3 has four semiconductor switches 31. In contrast to the half-bridge module, two further semiconductor switches 31 are arranged in series in parallel with the capacitor 32. A first terminal 33 of the two terminals 33 of the submodule 3 is electrically connected to the connection between the first two semiconductor switches 31, and a second terminal 33 of the two terminals 33 of the submodule 3 is electrically connected to the connection between the two further semiconductor switches 31. By means of switching operations of the semiconductor switches 31, the positive capacitor voltage, the negative capacitor voltage, or a short circuit can be generated at the terminals 33 of the submodule 3. Such a submodule 3 is also referred to as a full-bridge module.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a double half-bridge module in which two half-bridge modules are connected at their second terminal. The two-terminal submodule has four semiconductor switches 31 and two capacitors 32 with a first capacitor voltage Uci and a second capacitor voltage Uc2. By switching the semiconductor switches 31, the first capacitor voltage Uci, the second capacitor voltage Uc2, the sum of the capacitor voltages Uci+Uc2, or a short circuit can be generated at the terminals 33 of the submodule 3.

[0059] All of these submodules 3 can be used to implement a voltage source. Furthermore, additional submodules 3 can also be used, particularly if they are suitable for use in a modular multilevel converter. Different submodules 3 can also be combined in series.

[0060] Reference symbol list

[0061] 1 Load flow controller

[0062] 2 Load flow controller module

[0063] 3 Submodul

[0064] 4. Mains connection

[0065] 5 network nodes

[0066] 8 Line

[0067] 9 further submodules

[0068] 10 DC network

[0069] 11 first DC subnetwork

[0070] 12 second DC subnetwork

[0071] 21 Inductance

[0072] 31 semiconductor switches

[0073] 32 Capacitor

[0074] 33 connections of the submodule (3)

[0075] 41 first transmission connection

[0076] 42 second transmission port

[0077] 61 first voltage source

[0078] 62 second voltage source

[0079] 66 DC voltage source

[0080] 71 first stream path

[0081] 81 stitches

Claims

Patent claims 1. Load flow control module (2) for a load flow controller (1), comprising: - a network connection (4), - a first transmission port (41) and a second transmission port (42), - a first voltage source (61) arranged between the first network connection (4) and the first transmission connection (41) and directly electrically connected to the first transmission connection (41), - a second voltage source (62) arranged between the first network connection (4) and the second transmission connection (42) and directly electrically connected to the second transmission connection (42), - a first current path (71) arranged between the first transmission terminal (41) and the second transmission terminal (42) and configured to suppress a direct current through the first current path (71), wherein the first and second voltage sources (61, 62) are each configured to generate a voltage with a DC component and an AC component, wherein the transmission terminals (41, 42) are each configured to be directly connected to a line (8) for the transmission of electrical energy between at least two load flow control modules (2).

2. Load flow control module (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the voltage sources (61, 62) is formed by a submodule (3) or a series connection of submodules (3), wherein the submodule (3) has at least two semiconductor switches (31) and at least one capacitor (32) arranged such that at least the switching states short circuit and capacitor voltage can be generated at terminals (33) of the submodule (3) by means of the semiconductors (31).

3. Load flow control module (2) according to claim 2, wherein the submodule (3) has at least four semiconductor switches (31) arranged such that at least the switching states short circuit, positive capacitor voltage and negative capacitor voltage can be generated at the terminals (33) of the submodule (3) by means of the semiconductors (31).

4. Load flow control module (2) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the submodule (3) or the submodules (3) have exactly two connections (33) for the transmission of electrical energy.

5. Load flow control module (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first current path (71) is formed by a DC voltage source (66).

6. Load flow control module (2) according to claim 5, wherein the DC voltage source (66) is formed by a further submodule (9) or a series connection of further submodules (9), wherein the further submodule (9) has at least two semiconductor switches (31) and at least one capacitor (32) arranged such that at least the switching states short circuit and capacitor voltage can be generated at terminals (33) of the further submodule (9) by means of the semiconductors (31).

7. Load flow control module (2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the load flow control module (2) has exactly three voltage sources (61, 62, 66) comprising the first voltage source (61), the second voltage source (62) and the DC voltage source (66).

8. Load flow controller (1) for the transmission of electrical energy between a first DC subnetwork (11) and a second DC subnetwork (12) of a DC network (10) by means of two lines (8), wherein the load flow controller (1) comprises at least two load flow controller modules (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. DC network (10), comprising - a load flow controller (1) according to claim 8, - a first DC subnetwork (11) and a second DC subnetwork (12), - two lines (8), wherein the first DC subnetwork (11) is electrically connected to the network connection (4) of a first of the two load flow control modules (2), wherein the second DC subnetwork (12) is electrically connected to the network connection (4) of a second of the two load flow control modules (2), wherein the lines (8) are arranged between the two load flow controllers (41,42) and are directly electrically connected to the respective transmission connections (41,42) of the two load flow control modules (2).

10. DC network (10) according to claim 9, wherein the line lengths of the two lines (8) between the load flow controller (1) and the second DC subnetwork (12) differ by at least 10%, in particular by more than 40%.

11. Method for operating a load flow controller (1) according to claim 8 or a DC network (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein a first of the two load flow controller modules (2) is dependent on a first DC current (i D c,i) between the grid connection (4) and the first transmission connection (41) and / or a second direct current (i Dc,2) between the grid connection (4) and the second transmission connection (42) a DC voltage component is generated by the first and second voltage sources (61,62) respectively, wherein the energy exchange of the two voltage sources (61,62) of the first of the two load flow control modules (2) caused by the DC voltage component has the same magnitude and opposite sign, wherein the first and the second voltage sources (61,62) each generate an AC voltage component which compensates for the energy exchange of the two voltage sources (61,62) caused by the DC voltage component, wherein a second of the two load flow control modules (2) detects an AC current or an AC voltage relative to a reference potential at the first transmission connection (41), wherein the first voltage source (61) of the second of the two load flow control modules (2) generates an AC voltage component,which counteracts or compensates for an alternating current through the load flow control module (2), wherein the voltage sources (61, 62) of the second of the two load flow control modules (2) each generate a DC voltage component which is dimensioned such that the energy exchange caused by the AC voltage component is compensated by the energy exchange caused by the DC voltage component.

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