Technical advantages - Why choose HVDC over HVAC | ABB

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Technical advantages

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WHY HVDC

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/why-hvdc/technical-advantages

11/3/2016

Technical advantages - Why choose HVDC over HVAC | ABB

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HVDC is a proven technology with many

distinct technical advantages. For example, it
enables bulk power transmission over very
long distances, with higher efficiency and
lower electrical losses per 1,000 km.
HVDC enables secure and stable asynchronous interconnection of
power networks that operate on different frequencies, or are
otherwise incompatible. In addition, HVDC provides instant and
precise control of the power flow.
Once installed, HVDC transmission systems become an integral
part of the electrical power system, improving the overall stability,
reliability and transmission capacity.

Asynchronous grids
A number of HVDC links interconnect two AC systems that are not
synchronous. When AC systems are to be connected, they must
be synchronized. This means that they should operate at the same
voltage and frequency, which can be difficult to achieve. Since
HVDC is asynchronous it can adapt to any rated voltage and
frequency it receives. Hence, HVDC is used to connect large AC
systems in many parts of the world.
For example, the Nordel power system in Scandinavia is not
synchronous with the UCTE grid in western continental Europe,
even though the nominal frequencies are the same. And the power
system of the eastern USA is not synchronous with that of western
USA, Texas or Quebc. There are also HVDC links between
networks with different nominal frequencies (50 and 60 Hz) in for
example Japan and South America.

Long distance water crossings

There are no technical limits to the potential length of a HVDC
cable.In a long AC cable transmission, the reactive power flow
due to the large cable capacitance will limit the maximum possible
transmission distance. With HVDC there is no such limitation; this
is why, for very long cable links, HVDC is the only viable technical
transmission alternative.
The 580-km long, ABB-built NorNed link is the worlds longest
submarine high-voltage cable. It runs from southern Norway,
crosses the North Sea and lands in The Netherlands. Read more
about the NorNed link here.
Several HVDC links with very long submarine cables are being
considered today, mainly in Europe. One example is Iceland Europe.

Controllability
A fundamental advantage of HVDC technology is the ease of
controlling active power in the link.
In most HVDC links, the main control is based on constant power
transfer. This property of HVDC has become more important in
recent years, given the shrinking margins of power networks as
electricity markets in many countries are deregulated.
In many cases, an HVDC link can also improve the performance of
AC power systems by means of additional control facilities.
Normally these controls are activated automatically as certain
criteria are fulfilled. Automatic HVDC control functions include
constant frequency control, redistribution of the power flow in the
AC network, damping of power swings in the AC networks, etc. In
many cases such additional control functions can make possible
the safe increase of power transmission capability in AC
transmission lines where stability is a limitation.
Today's advanced semiconductor technology, used in both power
thyristors and microprocessors for control systems, has created

http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/why-hvdc/technical-advantages

11/3/2016

Technical advantages - Why choose HVDC over HVAC | ABB

Page 3 of 4

almost unlimited control possibilities in HVDC transmission

systems. Different software programs are used for different
studies supporting these control options.
Normally a positive sequence program, for example PTIs PSS/E
program is used for load-flow and stability studies. For more
detailed investigations of the performance of inner control loops
of the converter and its interaction with a nearby network, a
simulation is created in a full three-phase representation program
such as PSCAD/EMTDC.

Low short circuit currents

An HVDC transmission does not contribute to the short circuit
current of the interconnected AC system.
When a high-power AC transmission is constructed from a power
plant to a major load center, the short circuit current level will
increase in the receiving system. High short circuit currents are
becoming an increasingly difficult problem for many large cities,
which may result in the need to replace existing circuit breakers
and other equipment if the rating is too low.
But if new generating plants are connected to the load center
using a DC link, the situation is quite different. The reason is an
HVDC transmission does not contribute to the short circuit current
of the interconnected AC system.

Related links

Why HVDC?

High voltage

Economic and
environmental
advantages

cables

Submarine
cables

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http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/why-hvdc/technical-advantages

11/3/2016

Technical advantages - Why choose HVDC over HVAC | ABB

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http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/why-hvdc/technical-advantages

11/3/2016