HVdc Circuit Breakers: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

The integration of offshore wind farms has revitalized the interest in multi–terminal highvoltage direct current (M–HVdc) transmission grids. HVdc breakers’ importance has increased asM–HVdc grids are now a commercial truth. Several HVdc circuit breaker technologies have beendeveloped, published, and appeared as prototypes for HVdc networks. This paper summarizes theHVdc breaker technologies from the last two decades, distributed mainly in literature. A comparisonof various state–of–the–art HVdc breakers is presented. Further, areas are identified where furtherresearch and development are required. The goal is to provide primary challenges and prospects inthe HVdc breaker field.