In the rapidly evolving landscape of offshore wind power, ensuring the reliable and swift protection of transmission lines is paramount. A recent study published in the journal *Power Construction* (Dianli jianshe) by LI Jingzheng, DU Xiaotong, and LI Meng from Zhuhai Unitech Power Technology Company Ltd. and Beijing Jiaotong University, introduces a groundbreaking single-ended protection scheme for offshore flexible low-frequency AC transmission lines. This innovation could significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of offshore wind power systems, addressing critical challenges in the energy sector.
The research focuses on the development of a high-frequency transient single-ended fast protection method, which takes into account the boundary effects of busbars and modular multilevel matrix converters (M3Cs). By analyzing the equivalent models of these components, the researchers identified a clear high-frequency range and the differences in forward and backward wave high-frequency components under various fault conditions. “The boundaries of marine flexible low-frequency AC transmission lines exhibit a significant attenuation effect on signals with frequencies greater than 5 kHz,” explains lead author LI Jingzheng. “This attenuation is crucial for distinguishing between internal and external faults.”
The proposed method employs a successive mode decomposition algorithm to extract high-frequency transient components, enabling the protection scheme to accurately identify faults within 2 milliseconds. This is a remarkable improvement over traditional differential protection schemes, which often require communication conditions and are more susceptible to noise and transition resistances. “Our method can tolerate up to 10 dB noise and 500 Ω transition resistance, making it highly robust in harsh marine environments,” adds LI Jingzheng.
The implications of this research are substantial for the energy sector. Offshore wind power is a growing segment of the renewable energy market, and ensuring the reliable transmission of power from offshore wind farms to onshore grids is essential. The proposed protection scheme offers a faster and more reliable solution, which can enhance the overall efficiency and safety of offshore wind power systems. This could lead to reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and increased energy output, ultimately benefiting both energy providers and consumers.
Moreover, the method’s ability to operate without communication conditions and its resistance to noise and transition resistances make it particularly suitable for the challenging marine environment. As the demand for renewable energy continues to rise, innovations like this will be crucial in meeting global energy needs while ensuring the stability and reliability of power grids.
The research published in *Power Construction* represents a significant step forward in the field of offshore wind power transmission. By addressing key challenges in protection schemes, LI Jingzheng and his team have paved the way for more efficient and reliable energy transmission systems. As the energy sector continues to evolve, such advancements will be instrumental in shaping the future of renewable energy and ensuring a sustainable energy supply for generations to come.