Protection system for meshed HVDC network using superconducting fault current limiters

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grids have a wide potential of development, especially considering the development of offshore wind power plants. In this paper, we consider meshed HVDC grids. Meshing networks increases the fault current. These very high currents are a drawback for the system, and the fault clearing process requires new technologies to break huge direct current. Therefore, high speed protection and opening systems are currently investigated in several institutions. Considering a differential protection system, various opening systems can be used. But, in this study, superconducting fault current limiters, using high temperature superconducting tapes are used to reduce the dramatically huge current to be broken by the DC breakers. Simulations with very accurate models are used to justify the conclusions.