How HVDC Works

Historically, the transfer of electricity between regions of the United States has been over high voltage alternating
current (AC) transmission lines, which means that both the voltage and the current on these lines move in a wavelike pattern along the lines and are continually changing direction. In North America, this change in direction occurs
60 times per second (defined as 60 hertz [Hz]). The electric power transmitted over AC transmission lines is exactly
the same as the power we use every day from AC outlets, but at a much higher voltage.
Unlike an AC transmission line, the voltage and current on a direct current (DC) transmission line are not time
varying, meaning they do not change direction as energy is transmitted. DC electricity is the constant, zerofrequency movement of electrons from an area of negative (-) charge to an area of positive (+) charge.
The first commercial electric power system built by Thomas Edison in the late nineteenth century carried DC
electricity, but given some early advantages, AC power eventually became the primary power system in the United
States. Some of these advantages are no longer applicable (e.g., technology has advanced to allow efficient
conversion from AC to DC), and DC transmission is the preferred solution for moving large amounts of renewable
power over long distances.
Clean Lines HVDC transmission lines projects will deliver power from new, renewable energy resources. These
resources will be AC generators, as is normally the case, and their energy will be transmitted along collector lines.
These collector lines will then be connected to a substation where the power will be collected and the voltage will be
transformed from the voltage of the collector lines to a common voltage (such as 345,000 volts). The power will
then be converted to DC, a process known as rectification, using power electronic switches called thyristors. The
power will then be transmitted several hundred miles along a set of conductors called a transmission line before
getting converted back to AC, a process known as inversion, again using thyristors as the switching devices. After
the DC power is converted back to AC it is transformed to the common voltage of the grid to which it is being
connected (e.g. 500,000 volts or 765,000 volts, in the case of Clean Lines projects). This power is then distributed
via the interconnected grid by the local utilities to homes and businesses. See below for an illustration of this
process.
History of HVDC

The History of DC Transmission

The development of direct current (DC) transmission dates back to the 1930s and has been a proven technology since the first
major installations in 1954. Over the last 40+ years, DC projects have shown to offer significant electrical, economic, and

environmental advantages when transporting power across long distances, where there has been a veritable boom in the use of
DC to tap energy resources in remote portions of the country and bring the energy to consumers in more heavily populated
areas. Among those direct current lines is the Pacific DC Intertie, which has been in operation for over 30 years. Operating at
500 kilovolts, the line is capable of transmitting up to 3,100 MW of power. In terms of operating voltage and capacity, the
Pacific Intertie is similar to the Clean Line transmission line projects, which will operate at 600 kilovolts and deliver up to 3,500
MW of power.
Currently there are more than 20 DC transmission facilities in the United States and more than 35 across the North American
grid as indicated in the map below.

Transmission Line Structures

Key Terms
Shield Wire:
Protects the line from lightning strike to prevent power outages.
Insulator:

Prevents the electricity from short-circuiting from wire to structure.

Conductor:
Carries electricity
There are many different types of transmission structures used to deliver power. Clean Line Energy is evaluating the use of
steel lattice and steel monopole DC transmission structures to move large amounts of renewable power over long distances to
market.
A typical steel monopole transmission structure requires around 35,000 40,000 pounds of steel per structure and a typical
steel lattice transmission structure requires an average of 32,000 pounds of steel per structure.
The images below show average specifications for a typical steel monopole, typical steel lattice mast, and a typical steel lattice
transmission structure.

Wind and Transmission: A Natural Fit

Wind and Solar

WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY?

Renewable energy is clean, affordable, domestic, and effectively infinite. It produces no emissions and results in cleaner air and
water for all. Renewable power creates jobs and generates revenue for local communities. Revenue from solar and wind farms
helps stimulate local economies that need new roads, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
The United States has some of the best wind resources in the world, with enough potential energy to produce nearly 10 times
the country's existing power needs. Wind energy is now one of the most cost-effective sources of new generation, competing
with new installations of coal, gas and nuclear power. Its cost has dropped steadily over the past few years, as wind turbine
technology has improved. Currently, over 400 American manufacturing plants build wind components, towers and blades.
Solar power can also help meet America's energy demand. Solar installations in the United States exceed 3,100 megawatts,
enough to power more than 630,000 homes. The solar industry employs more than 100, 000 Americans and grew by 69 percent
in 2010, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. The price of solar panels has dropped by 30 percent since 2010
and costs continue to fall. The United States was a net exporter of solar products in 2010 by $2 billion.
Wind and solar energy are reliable sources of electricity that can diversify our nation's energy portfolio. However, continued
growth of renewable energy in the U.S. faces a serious challenge: the lack of transmission. Clean Line's direct current (DC)

projects will deliver thousands of megawatts of renewable energy from the windiest and solar-rich areas of the United States to
communities and cities that lack access to new, low-cost, clean power.

ABOUT WIND ENERGY

Wind is air in motion caused by natural factors like the uneven heating of the earth's surface by the sun, the rotation of the
earth and the irregularities of the earth's surface. Wind energy has been used for centuries to move ships, pump water and
grind grain. In the twentieth century, windmills were commonly used across the Great Plains to pump water and to generate
electricity.

Enlarge

Source: U.S. Department of Energy (Public Domain)

HOW WIND ENERGY IS PRODUCED

Wind turbines that are typically 200 feet or more above ground are used to harness the wind and turn it into energy. When the
wind blows, it turns the turbines blades. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that moves with the blades. The shaft is
attached to a generator, which creates electricity. The electricity created is in the form alternating current.
Watch this video by the Department of Energy about how wind turbines work.

COST AND BENEFITS OF WIND ENERGY

In 2010, wind turbines in the United States generated about 2% of total U.S. electricity generation, equal to the annual
electricity use of 8.7 million homes. Wind power represented 25% of all new U.S. electric generation capacity in 2010. Wind
turbines do not release emissions that pollute the air and they do not require water for cooling. Not only does wind power
provide a clean source of electricity, it helps keep electric rates low and protects consumers against fossil fuel price volatility.

ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY

Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Solar energy
can be used for generating electricity, and for hot water heating and solar cooling. Solar energy is produced when the sun is
shining during the day and is complementary to wind energy, which tends to reach its highest production at night.

HOW SOLAR ENERGY IS PRODUCED

Concentrated Solar
Concentrated solar power uses mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect the solar energy and
convert it to heat. This thermal energy can then be used to produce electricity via a steam turbine or heat engine driving a
generator.
Watch this video by the Department of Energy on concentrating solar power.

Photovoltaic Solar
Photovoltaic solar technology uses photovoltaic cells (PV) to convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are made of
semiconductors and can provide large amounts of power for the electric grid.
Watch this video by the Department of Energy on solar photovoltaic systems.

BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY

Using solar energy produces no air or water pollution and no greenhouse gases. Solar energy is predictable and is most efficient
when utility rates are the highest.