Evaluation of an enhanced power dispatch control scheme for multi-terminal HVDC grids using Monte-Carlo simulation

•Optimal power flow technique introduced for MTDC grids via multi-objective optimization.•Proposed control scheme reconfigures the operating profile of the MTDC grid to effectively track TSO power exchange orders.•Monte-Carlo simulation applied to statistically evaluate MTDC grid operation.

This paper presents a new multi-objective optimization technique for multi-terminal DC (MTDC) networks to enhance power dispatch control under stochastic operating conditions. The proposed method utilizes the DC voltage droop control concept to achieve distributed DC voltage control of the MTDC grid, while a centralized power dispatch controller monitors system operation and updates the voltage droop settings of the onshore converters in order for them to comply with scheduled power set-points dispatched by the transmission system operator, maintaining at the same time low system losses. The overall optimization problem is formulated and its effectiveness is assessed applying the Monte-Carlo simulation method. A five-terminal MTDC grid is selected as a study-case system, which corresponds to the planning for the future interconnection of Aegean Sea islands with significant wind potential to the mainland grid.