Operational functions of GCCIA HVDC: Dynamic reserve power share and frequency control

GCCIA (Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority) is the Transmission System Operator links the power grids of GCC countries. GCCIA operates three back to back (btb) HVDC converters each rated 600 MW connecting the combined network of the 50 Hz GCCIA Member States with the 60 Hz Saudi system. The paper explains the key operational dynamic features of the HVDC frequency converter functions, particularly with regard to slow Frequency Control (FC) and fast Dynamic Reserve Power Share (DRPS). It discusses the FC augmentation of DRPS controller for the HVDC converters and frequency controller actions and strategies used for these applications. The analysis will test HVDC reliable operation on solving different failure challenges (fault and demand cases) expected to occur on both sides of the conversion. The case study will compare the real operation response of HVDC with frequency drop or rise. The PSS®E software is used for modelling the HVDC equipment as part of GCCIA network.