The Effect of FRT Behavior of VSC-HVDC-Connected Offshore Wind Power Plants on AC/DC System Dynamics

Future power systems will contain more converter-based generation, among which are the voltage-source converter-high-voltage direct-current (VSC-HVDC)-connected offshore wind power plants (WPP). Their interaction with the onshore system influences power system dynamics in the transient stability timeframe. The respective protection and control methods which cause this interaction must be taken into account in grid-integration studies performed today. This paper gives insight into the effect of typically required fault ridethrough (FRT) and post-FRT measures of VSC-HVDC-connected offshore WPPs on the combined ac and HVDC system dynamics. Several important sensitivities are addressed, among which are: 1) FRT implementation, 2) the postfault active power-recovery rates, 3) the ac network dynamic characteristics, and 4) the HVDC topology. The analysis is first performed as a proof of concept on a small benchmark system, and subsequently generalized to a realistic dynamic model of the future Northwestern European power system. The results of this paper can be used as a reference for understanding the effects of large-scale VSC-HVDC-connected offshore WPPs on the stability of the onshore interconnected power systems.