Thesis

Distributed photonic sensing for monitoring, protection and control of HVDC networks

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2026
Thesis identifier
  • T17990
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 202171734
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources is driving the deployment of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems for efficient long-distance power transmission. However, HVDC networks present significant challenges in fault detection, protection, and system observability due to the absence of natural current zero-crossings and the rapid rise of fault currents. These constraints necessitate high-speed, distributed sensing solutions capable of providing accurate real-time measurements along transmission infrastructure. This thesis presents the design, development, and validation of a distributed optical current sensing (OCS) system for HVDC applications, enabling enhanced monitoring, fault detection, and localisation. The proposed approach integrates a low-resistance shunt with a piezoelectric transducer and fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensing, facilitating the conversion of electrical current into optical signals for high-speed transmission and interrogation. The sensing architecture is embedded within HVDC cable infrastructure, enabling in-situ measurement and improved network observability. The main contributions of this thesis are summarised as follows: • Design and implementation of an instrumented HVDC cable butt splice joint, transforming a passive component into an active distributed sensing node. • Development of a self-powered optical current sensing architecture, enabling electrically isolated operation under ultra-low-power conditions. • Design of a nonlinear signal conditioning circuit, enhancing sensitivity for low level signals while preventing saturation under high-current conditions. • Proposition of a segregated piecewise calibration methodology, improving measurement accuracy across a wide dynamic range, particularly near the interrogation noise floor. • Development of a distributed sensing framework enabling fault localisation and insulation condition monitoring based on transient signal propagation. • Derivation of an analytical formulation for fault localisation, accounting for transient propagation effects in HVDC transmission media. Experimental validation demonstrates that the proposed system can capture fast transient fault signals and achieve measurement performance consistent with IEC 61869-14 Class 1 requirements under representative conditions. The results confirm the feasibility of integrating distributed optical sensing within HVDC cable systems, providing a scalable pathway toward enhanced network observability, faster fault detection, and improved operational reliability in future HVDC grids.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Niewczas, Pawel
Resource Type
DOI

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