Power electronics and studies

Our expertise in HVDC & FACTS technology

The rapid development of renewable energy and the need to avoid constructing new overhead lines have increased the use of HVDC links with underground cables. The growing adoption of power electronic devices is significantly impacting network performance and reliability, necessitating improvements in control systems, protection, and understanding of dynamic behavior. RTE international offers specialized HVDC and FACTS services to meet the evolving needs of the power industry. Our experts in power electronics and power systems are equipped to address a variety of technical challenges in the field of power transmission.

Testing HVDC/FACTS control and protection systems

Testing the implementation of new C&P functions several years after commissioning requires specialized tools and skills.
C&P software update
Acceleration of equipment return to service
Analysis of events recorded on site.

Dynamic analysis of HVDC/FACTS performance

Detailed studies of power systems with HVDC/FACTS including

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

Integration of renewable energies

Specific analysis for the connection of wind farms to transmission networks, including

Harmonic amplification analysis
Harmonic filter sizing
Temporal EMT simulation for transformer and cable supply

Real-time simulation with HVDC/FACTS control replicas

Europe's largest multi-vendor HVDC/FACTS real-time simulation laboratory

Study of interactions related to HVDC and FACTS devices, including

Multi-vendor and multi-power system studies and testing
Engineering training and maintenance support activities
Control and protection software update testing
Network studies and offline model improvement

Principle of real-time simulation with physical control replicas

More than 10 real-time simulators with associated I/O boards
2000 m² of technical premises to house HVDC and FACTS control replicas
Dedicated rooms to house replicas of third-party projects

Studies on Electrical Systems

Analysis of Complex Systems

HVDC/FACTS Systems in Transmission Networks
Integration of Long AC Cables or Reactive Compensation Devices
Integration of Wind Farms

Different Types of Analysis

Simulation of Electromagnetic Transients (EMT)
Harmonic Analysis
Transient Stability Simulation
Analysis of Harmonics and Calculation of Impedance Loci

Example of Harmonic Analysis for the Connection of an Offshore Wind Farm

The TSO usually provides the harmonic impedances at the common coupling point of wind farms. RTE determined these impedances based on the minimum and maximum system short circuits. The final harmonic study synthesizes the results of thousands of simulations corresponding to different network topologies and load conditions. The overall results are summarized as surfaces in the RX plane (R: real part of the impedance, X: imaginary part of the impedance). The overall results are summarised in the form of surfaces in the RX plane (R: real part of the impedance, 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
Evaluating tenders for HVDC applications
Analysing design reports
Factory control and protection
Preparing test and commissioning procedures for HVDC/FACTS control and protection systems
Supervising on-site testing
Training engineers and supporting maintenance activities

Training

Wide choice of subjects for HVDC projects and EMT simulation

Basics of HVDC-LCC and HVDC-VSC
HVDC control and protection
HVDC modelling and studies
HVDC system maintenance and integration into AC networks
HVDC VSC project management
EMT modelling and simulations
basic concepts - EMT modelling and simulations - advanced concepts for transmission networks