Our expertise in HVDC and FACTS technology

Our expertise in hvdc & FACTS technology

Our services

The large-scale development of renewable energy and public demand to avoid the construction of new overhead lines has led to an increase in new HVDC links using underground DC cables. The increasing penetration of power electronics-based devices in the grid also has a significant impact on grid performance and reliability. It requires improvements in control and protection systems and understanding of dynamic behaviour. RTE International provides services in the field of power systems with a focus on HVDC and FACTS. We offer comprehensive services to meet the needs of the evolving power industry. Its team of experts from a wide range of backgrounds, specialising in power electronics and power systems, addresses a wide variety of technical challenges in the field of power transmission.

Testing of HVDC/FACTS control and protection systems.

Testing the implementation of new C&P functions several years after commissioning requires specialised tools and skills.

Testing of C&P software updates
Accelerating the return to service of equipment
Analysis of events recorded on site

Dynamic analysis of HVDC/FACTS performance

Detailed power system studies with HVDC/FACTS.

Development of converter station models for EMT simulations
EMT simulation with complex AC networks
Real-time simulation with physical C&P cells
Identification of potential interactions

rte-international-facilitating-energy-transition

Integration of renewable energy

Specific analysis for the connection of wind farms to transmission networks.

Harmonic amplification analysis
Sizing of harmonic filters
EMT simulation in the time domain for transformer and cable supply

Real-time simulation with HVDC/FACTS control replicas

The largest multi-vendor HVDC/FACTS real-time simulation laboratory in Europe

Study interaction phenomena related to HVDC and FACTS devices
Study and test multi-vendor and multi-power systems
Training engineers and supporting maintenance activities
Testing of control and protection software updates
Network studies and improving offline models

Principle of real-time simulation with physical control replicas

Over 10 real-time simulators with associated I/O boards
2000 m² of technical premises to host HVDC and FACTS control replicas
Dedicated rooms to host third party project replicas

Electrical systems studies

Analysis of complex systems

HVDC/FACTS systems in transmission networks
Integration of long AC cables or a reactive compensation device
Integration of wind farms

Different types of analysis

Simulation of electromagnetic transients (EMT)
Harmonic analysis
Transient stability simulation
Harmonic analysis and impedance locus calculation

Example of harmonic analysis for the connection of an offshore wind farm

The TSO usually provides harmonic impedances at the point of common coupling for wind farms. RTE determined the harmonic impedances based on the minimum and maximum short circuit of the system. The final harmonic study reflects the results of several thousand simulations corresponding to different grid topologies and load conditions.

The overall results are summarised as surfaces in the RX plane (R: real part of the impedance and X: imaginary part of the impedance).

HVDC/FACTS project management

Supporting projects from planning to maintenance

Technical specification of HVDC/FACTS equipment
Improving specifications and optimising system performance
Evaluation of bids for HVDC applications
Analysis of design reports
Factory control and protection – witness testing
Preparation of test and commissioning procedures for HVDC/FACTS control and protection systems
Supervision of on-site testing
Engineering training and maintenance support activities