An Introspective Review on Commutation Failure Inhibition Strategies in LCC-HVDC Transmission Networks

Line-Commutated Converter High Voltage Direct Current (LCC-HVDC) technology plays an irreplaceable role in power transmission systems due to its thyristor's superior power handling capability and low operating power losses. Nevertheless, one of the main challenges associated with such systems is the high risk of commutation failure caused by inverter AC faults which leads to temporary cessation in transmitted power and severe stress on the converter equipment. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the available strategies for commutation failure mitigation in LCC-HVDC networks, and then to investigate their mechanism, effectiveness, and limitations. In addition to describing the existing solutions presented to date, and classifying them into specific groups, a comparative analysis has been carried out in which the main merits and demerits of each category are presented. Finally, based on the analyzed technical literature, some insights and future research directions are pointed out.