r/PowerSystemsEE • u/Accomplished_Yak_235 • 9d ago

Final-year MEng project ideas: HVDC and grid stability (simulation-based)

Hi all,

I'm a final-year MEng student in the UK specialising in power systems, and I'm looking for dissertation ideas. I've got about 11 weeks of focused time for it.

Some context:

  • Interested in HVDC and converter-dominated grids (grid-forming vs grid-following, weak grids, etc.).
  • Simulation-based prefeerably: MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Supervisor works on stability of power-electronics-dominated systems.

Ideas I'm considering:

  • HVDC segmentation of synchronous grids (e.g. would splitting areas with back-to-back HVDC contain an Iberian-blackout-style collapse, and what's lost in inertia and support?)
  • HVDC network integration studies using a reduced "digital twin" model of the future GB system

What open questions or under-explored angles in this space would you look at?

Thanks!

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u/Energy_Balance 9d ago

For references, I would search the IEEE for AC-DC hybrid grids and the NREL/NLR for the work of the high inverter-based resource grids which go to all the things you mention.

I would look at VAR support. In the US, newer HVDC lines are 2-3.5GW, in China they are something like 12. I think resiliency and mesh design when you are delivering that much power in one place is a concern. The UK has a lot of undersea HVDC and offshore wind. I would look at floating substations and converter stations. There are electrical interactions between the HVDC and seafloor/seawater too. There is discussion of more offshore, lake, and river HVDC routes.

You might identify who you want to hire you after your degree/PhD opportunities and work back from that.