Four-Port HVDC Transmission System With Segmented Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems are complex, inflexible, and expensive due to their two-port configurations, requiring large AC grids to handle disturbances and necessitating costly bridging switches for fault management.

Innovation Solution

A four-port HVDC configuration with separate HVDC stations connected by low-voltage lines, allowing flexible power distribution and reduced AC grid influence, using high-power switches and processing units for control, enabling economical and efficient power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a two-port DC configuration is used, then the HVDC system can transmit power, but the AC grid must be dimensioned to withstand disturbances and expensive bridging switches are required for fault management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault management capabilityVSAvoidAC grid dimensioning and bridging switches
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the traditional two-port DC configuration into four separate ports (two sending ends and two receiving ends) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each port to operate autonomously, eliminating the need for expensive bridging switches and reducing AC grid dimensioning requirements while maintaining reliability during faults.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching capabilities at each port using controllable switches that can rapidly reconfigure the system topology during faults. This dynamic response replaces static bridging switches and enables flexible fault management without requiring the AC grid to be dimensioned for worst-case disturbance scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If parallel or serial converter configurations are used, then multi-port HVDC systems can be realized, but the configuration becomes complex, inflexible and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-port configuration flexibilityVSAvoidconverter configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-port system into independent port units, each with its own converter and control system. This modular segmentation provides versatility in configuring multiple ports while simplifying the overall system complexity, as each port can be independently designed and operated without the complex interconnections required by traditional parallel or serial configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each port in the four-port configuration is designed with universal functionality, capable of operating independently or in combination with other ports. This multi-functionality provides adaptability for various HVDC applications while maintaining a standardized, simplified port design that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If HVDC stations are connected in traditional configurations, then power transmission is achieved, but the AC grid is significantly influenced and expensive bridging switches are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidAC grid influence and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power transmission system into four independent ports that can operate autonomously. This segmentation reduces the influence on the AC grid by allowing localized power transmission and distribution, eliminating the need for expensive bridging switches while maintaining full power transmission capability through the distributed port architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional HVDC station placement is used, then power transmission is achieved, but flexible placement is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestation placement flexibilityVSAvoidconnection configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the HVDC system into four separately placeable ports that can be independently connected to the AC grid. This segmentation enables flexible geographic placement of sending and receiving ends while simplifying connection configurations, as each port can be independently integrated into the local AC grid without requiring complex inter-port connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3069428B1HVDC transmission system with grounding switch
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3069428B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3069428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One pole (107) of a high-voltage DC transmission path terminates with an HVDC station (103, 104, 105, 106), thus providing two HVDC stations (103, 104, 105, 106) for the two poles (107, 108) of the high-voltage DC transmission path, said stations being connected to each other via low-voltage lines (109, 110), one of said low-voltage lines (109, 110) having an electrode (111, 112). The individual poles (107, 108) of the high-voltage DC transmission path can thus be flexibly placed at different locations, and the poles (107, 108) are then connected to each other via the low-voltage lines (109, 110). The aforementioned architecture is advantageous in particular for long HVDC lines and prevents the entire output of such a long HVDC line from only arriving at a single location.