Methods and apparatus for controlling a voltage source converter to energize a DC link. A voltage order generating module generates a voltage order for controlling the voltage source converter to generate a DC voltage on the DC link. the voltage order is based on a time varying voltage reference signal. A voltage reference module, which may include a ramp generator generates the time varying voltage reference signal such that the rate of change of the voltage reference signal changes over time. The rate of change of the voltage reference signal may decrease over time, to become more gradual as the nominal operating voltage is reached to avoid over-voltages.

A method and apparatus for controlling a hybrid direct-current (DC) transmission system. The method comprises: adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to a DC voltage of a rectifier station at other end; or adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to the magnitude of a DC current or DC power; or adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to both the magnitude of the DC current and the DC voltage of the rectifier station at the other end. The method can effectively control the DC voltage and the direct current of a hybrid DC transmission system, avoiding the power transmitting breakdown.

A converter module for a multi-stage converter includes an energy storage device connected in parallel with a series circuit of a first and a second semiconductor switching unit. At least one of the semiconductor switching units has a bidirectional switch. A switch-on unit is connected in parallel with the bidirectional switch. With the switch-on unit there can be produced a switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch from a voltage dropping across the bidirectional switch. There is also disclosed a multi-stage converter having the novel converter module and a method for operating the converter module.

A method for estimating capacitance applied to a three phase converting device is disclosed. The three phase converting device includes a three phase converter and a processor. The processor executes following steps: (a) outputting a non-baseband signal to the three phase converter, such that a bus voltage of the three phase converter generates a non-baseband flutter; (b) obtaining the bus voltage of the three phase converter; (c) obtaining a bus voltage estimating value based on the bus voltage, a bus capacitance estimating value, an input power, and an output power of the three phase converter; (d) respectively outputting a first AC component and a second AC component corresponding to the non-baseband flutter through filtering the bus voltage and the bus voltage estimating value by a filter segment; (e) estimating a bus capacitance based on the first AC component, the second AC component and a bus capacitance initial value.

There is provided a power supply apparatus for supplying power to an external electrical load , including a power transmission line or cable through which an alternating or direct current may flow, a power supply module, a control unit, an output terminal for connection to the external electrical load, and a converter. The power supply module includes an input terminal connected to the power transmission line or cable, and includes switching elements and energy storage device(s). The control unit controls the switching elements to selectively switch each energy storage device into circuit to direct a current flowing in the power transmission line or cable to flow through each energy storage device so as to store energy to form a power source. The converter draws power from the power source and supplies the drawn power to the output terminal.

A high voltage direct current power transmission series valve group control device, is used for regulating a series circuit having two or more valve groups provided with controllable power semiconductors respectively. Each valve group is provided with a current regulation unit and a voltage regulation unit. The current regulation unit controls a direct current current flowing through a valve group corresponding thereto, and the voltage regulation unit controls a voltage across two ends of a valve group corresponding thereto. One valve group is selected from the series valve group as a master control valve group, while the others are taken as slave control valve groups. The master control valve group selects a trigger angle output by the current regulation unit to control same, and the slave control valve group selects a trigger angle obtained after the trigger angle transmitted from the master control valve group and an output value of the voltage regulation unit pass through a subtractor to control same.

A modular HVDC platform and a method for constructing the same are disclosed herein. The modular HVDC platform has a topside disposed on a structural jacket. The topside includes a first rectifier module, a second rectifier module, and a utility module. The first and second rectifier modules have equipment for converting AC power to DC power disposed therein. The utility module contains equipment for supporting the operations of the rectifier modules. Each of the rectifier modules and the utility modules can be fabricated and commissioned onshore prior to installation on the structural jacket at an offshore location.

A power transmission network including: a variable power source; an AC transmission link for AC power transmission from the variable power source to at least one source side converter; at least one source side converter including: an AC connecting point operably connected to the AC transmission link; and a DC connecting point for connection to a DC transmission link; and a control system configured to operate the source side converter or at least one of the source side converters in a frequency damping mode to control an AC voltage at its AC connecting point and thereby damp at least one frequency component at its AC connecting point and/or in the AC transmission link.

A power grid frequency flexible operation system is provided. The system comprises a generating unit, which includes a base-load unit and a peak-load unit; a high voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission unit, which transmits the power generated in the generating unit as direct current (DC) power; and a load, which is supplied with the power generated by the generating unit; wherein the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission unit comprises a converter, which transforms to direct current (DC) power, alternating current (AC) power generated in the generating unit and having a first frequency variation allowance range; an inverter, which is connected to the converter and transforms the direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power having a second frequency variation allowance range, wherein the first frequency variation allowance range is larger than the second frequency variation allowance range.

The present invention discloses an LCC and MMC series-connected HVDC system with DC fault ride-through capacity, comprising rectifier and inverter linked by DC transmission line; Both the positive pole and the negative pole of the rectifier and the inverter consist of line-commutated converter and modular converter in series-connection; the modular converter adopts one MMC or several parallel-connected MMCs. The present invention has the advantage of low cost, low power loss and high reliability of the LCC, as well as flexible control, low harmonics and AC voltage support of the MMC. Further, the present invention is able to deal with DC fault by itself, hence additional DC fault clearing equipment is not needed. As a result, the present invention is suitable for the field of long-distance large-capacity power transmission and has broad development potential.