HVDC SuperGrids with modular multilevel converters — The power transmission backbone of the future

In order to transmit massive amounts of power generated by remotely located power plants, especially offshore wind farms, and to balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, the need for a stronger high voltage transmission grid is anticipated. Due to limitations in ac power transmission the most likable choice for such a grid is a high-voltage dc (HVDC) grid. However, the concept of the HVDC grid is still under active development as different technical challenges exist, and it is not yet possible to construct such a dc grid. This paper deals with prospects and technical challenges for future HVDC SuperGrids. Different topologies for a SuperGrid and the possibility to use modular multilevel converters (M2Cs) are presented. A comprehensive overview of different submodule implementations of M2C is given as well as a discussion on the choice between cables or overhead lines, the protection system for the dc grid and dc-side resonance issues.