Admissible HVDC infeed capacity evaluation of receiving-end power grids

•A two-stage AHIC assessment model is proposed, in which the first-stage problem seeks the maximum admissible capacity and the optimal location of the infeed HVDC links, while the second-stage problem checks the adaptability of the produced first-stage decisions on basis of ensuring system security under normal and serious contingency cases, i.e., bi-pole blocking and communication failure of HVDC links. Leveraging this model, a reliable AHIC can be obtained.•A modified multi-infeed operation effective short-circuit ratio (MMOESCR) index based on the voltage sensitivity is formulated to take into account the function of Var reserves at different AC buses in resisting commutation failure (CF) of HVDC links. This metric is coupled into the proposed model to quantify the CF immunity of the receiving-end power grid.•A solution algorithm based on generalized Benders decomposition (GBD) is developed to solve the proposed model. This approach is applied to assess the AHIC of Henan Grid (a large-scale provincial grid in China), which can provide more efficiently future installation plan of multi-feed HVDC links in the targeted AC network.