Model predictive control of HVDC power flow to improve transient stability in power systems

This paper addresses the problem of HVDC control using real-time information to avoid loss of synchronism phenomena in power systems. It proposes a discrete-time control strategy based on model predictive control, which solves at every time step an open-loop optimal-control problem using an A* event-tree search. Different optimisation criteria based on transient stability indices are compared. The paper presents simulations results for two benchmark systems with 9 and 24 buses, respectively, and an embedded HVDC-link. The results show that the control strategy leads to a modulation of the HVDC power flow that improves significantly the system's ability to maintain synchronism in the aftermath of a large disturbance.