Bipole HVDC Converter Control Redundancy for Seamless Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission networks, existing bipole power transmission schemes lack efficient redundancy and data management mechanisms, leading to potential operational disruptions and inefficiencies in power converter control and data sharing between converter stations.
Innovation Solution
A bipole power transmission scheme with separate converter stations interconnected by transmission and return conduits, utilizing digital controllers running active and standby instances of converter control functions, enabling data sharing and redundancy to ensure seamless operation and smooth failover in case of instance failures, with active and standby instances of converter and station control functions configured to import and share operational data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bipole power transmission schemes are used without redundant control instances, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential operational disruptions from control failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements standby instances of control functions that are pre-configured and ready to take over immediately upon failure of active instances. This preliminary preparation ensures operational continuity without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failures, as the failover mechanism is pre-established through the redundant controller architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs redundant controllers that act as a cushion against control failures. By having backup control instances ready in advance, the system absorbs the impact of potential failures smoothly, maintaining operational reliability without significant disruption to power transmission.
2Reliability
If active and standby controller instances are implemented with full data sharing, then reliability is improved through seamless failover, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective data sharing where each controller instance receives only the specific operational data necessary for its role. Active controllers share data with standby instances on a need-to-know basis, ensuring that standby controllers have sufficient information to take over without requiring complete duplication of all system data, thus optimizing bandwidth usage.
3Ease of operation
If comprehensive operational data is shared between all controller instances, then ease of operation is improved through better monitoring and control, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller instances are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as active controllers during normal operation and as standby controllers during failures. Each controller is configured to perform multiple roles, reducing the need for specialized dedicated components for each function and simplifying the overall data management structure while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A bipole power transmission scheme includes at least a first converter station that is positioned in-use separate from at least a second converter station, and at least first and second transmission conduits and a first return conduit to in-use interconnect the first converter station with the second converter station and thereby permit the transfer of power between the first and second converter stations.