Options for ground fault clearance in HVDC offshore networks

The unavailability of adequate HVDC circuit breakers is often named as one of the key inhibitors for building HVDC multi-terminal networks. Instead of only discussing what needs to be done with respect to improving CB technology, we discuss what other options in principle exist. None of the options is optimum in itself, thus the discussion must be mainly driven by reviewing the pros and cons from a fault current clearing point of view and also from a network planning and operation point of view. The manuscript aims at triggering and stimulating the discussion on fault clearance options other than only CBs.