HVDC converter transformer saturation in hybrid AC/DC system caused by coupled transmission lines

Hybrid ac/dc transmission can increase the power transfer capability of long ac transmission lines. High voltage dc (HVDC) converters are needed, and the line-commutated converter (LCC) is used considering the dc fault current controllability. However, zero-sequence current can be generated due to the coupled transmission lines, and it will flow into the HVDC converters as a fundamental frequency current component on dc side (i60). The LCC will convert i60 to dc current components on the ac side, which may cause potential converter transformer saturation. This paper analyzes the influence of coupled transmission lines on i60 and the converter transformer saturation and proposes two possible solutions to avoid converter transformer saturation. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.