Use of HVDC links for power system restoration

Power system restoration plans worldwide have often been based on black start units capable of supplying cranking power to bulk generation plants. The increase in the number and size of CCGT plants and other forms of generation with low regulating capacity and requiring a restless growing power for the cranking phase needs that new strategies and tools be developed for facing the unlucky event of a black-out. The study presents the possibility of using HVDC links with a synchronous compensator at the receiving end. Such systems have high regulating capacity and reliability which are precious characteristics during the critical phases of the restoration. A detailed stability analysis is developed for checking the correct size of the compensator. Electromagnetic simulations prove the validity of the solution. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.