The role of HVDC & FACTS technologies to enhance the utilisation of existing transmission networks

Roger Critchley
Head of Power Electronics AREVA T&D Technology Centre Monday 9th March 2009 Imperial College, London
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HVDC & FACTS

HVDC
High Voltage Direct Current A system used for transmitting or exchanging electrical power by means of direct current

FACTS
Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems Systems used for the dynamic control of voltage, impedance and phase angle of high voltage AC transmission lines

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HVDC & FACTS

HVDC & FACTS are built using Power Electronics devices
Brings precision of control, dynamic performance, and many other features, into transmission networks Two technologies exist:
Line Commutated Converter

Classical HVDC Thyristor based

Voltage Source Converter

VSC HVDC Transistor based

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HVDC Configurations

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Basic HVDC Transmission Back to Back

Rectifier Sending End Transformer Vdc Idc F F Harmonic Filter (Reactive Power) i Iac t t i Idc i Iac t Inverter Receiving End

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Basic HVDC Transmission Point to Point Overhead Line

Rectifier Sending End Transformer Vdc Inverter Receiving End

DC Line

Idc F F Harmonic Filter (Reactive Power) i Iac t t i Idc i Iac t

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Basic HVDC Transmission Point to Point Submarine Cable

Rectifier Sending End Transformer Vdc Idc F F Harmonic Filter (Reactive Power) i Iac t t i Idc i Iac t Inverter Receiving End

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Basic HVDC Transmission Point to Point Underground Cable

Rectifier Sending End Transformer Vdc Idc F F Harmonic Filter (Reactive Power) i Iac t t i Idc i Iac t Inverter Receiving End

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HVDC Converter Valve Hall Thyristor based system

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HVDC Configuration Options Monopole

Monopole example at 500 MW
500 MW Monopole

F F F F AC Pole 1 500 MW

HV Cable

+
Pole 1 500 MW

F F F F

LV Cable

AC

1 x HVDC cable or OHL always needed (unless BtB) 1 x HVDC LV connection always needed, could be
LV cable or OHL

Full transmission lost if lose any main item

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HVDC Configuration Options Bipole with bipole control

Bipole example at 1000MW built from two 500 MW poles
1000 MW Bipole
F F F F Pole 1 500 MW AC F F F F Pole 2 500 MW LV Cable Pole 2 500 MW HV Cable

HV Cable

+
Pole 1 500 MW

F F F F

AC F F F F

2 x HVDC cables or OHL always needed 1 x HVDC LV connection always needed, could be
LV cable or OHL

Only 50% transmission lost if lose any main item Bipole control of each the two monopoles simultaneously
Minimises the DC current in the LV connection
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Advantages of HVDC

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Advantages of all HVDC Links - 1

The Power Flow on an HVDC link is Fully Controllable - Fast and Accurate!
The operator or automatic controller determines how much power flows via the link and in which direction
Irrespective of the interconnected AC system conditions

An HVDC Link is asynchronous

The ac voltage and frequency in the two ac networks can be controlled independently of each other No need for common frequency control

The HVDC link can be used to improve the dynamic conditions in both of the interconnected ac networks (power system damping)
Can be controlled independently of AC system variations or to react to AC system conditions
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Advantages of all HVDC Links - 2

HVDC links do not increase the Short Circuit Level of the connected systems Faults and oscillations dont transfer across HVDC interconnected systems
Firewall against cascading outages

HVDC can transport energy economically and efficiently over longer distances than ac lines or cables
Increased Transmission Capacity in a fixed corridor Up to 3 times more power per tower, therefore narrower rights of way

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Using an Existing Wayleave

480MVA

1440MW

300% more power

+
Unchanged tower body and foundations

220kV AC
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380kV DC
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More Power Per Tower

1850MW

1850MVA

5550MW

DC

AC

DC

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Up to 3 Times More Power

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Why VSC HVDC? Key Benefits Compared to Classical HVDC - 1

Can use ordinary transformers no star/delta Both active and reactive power control in one equipment
Little or no filtering requirements & no reactive power switching Significantly reduces application engineering and land area

Operation down to zero short-circuit ratio

Connect into any network without complex studies and system reinforcement

Multi-terminal configuration are simple to engineer

Ideal for offshore grids interconnecting wind farms

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Why VSC HVDC? Key Benefits Compared to Classical HVDC - 2

Inherent Black Start capability
Always a requirement for offshore wind and island feeding applications

Compact dimensions and lower weight

Ideal for inner cities, reduced visual impact, smaller and lighter offshore platforms

Power reversal by adjusting the DC voltage at both converter stations

Enables the use of low cost polymeric cables

Rapidly growing interest in VSC HVDC + underground cables as an alternative/replacement to overhead AC lines, particularly for inner city feeding
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Power Electronics in MV Networks

HV Network

MV Network 1

Direct AC connection not possible because of high fault level

MV Network 2

The traditional model:

Network designed for power flow from HV to MV

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Power Electronics in MV Networks

HV Network

P P

MV Network 1

MV Network 2

+V

+V

STATCOM

-V

-V

STATCOM
20

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Power Electronics in MV Networks

HV Network

P P
MVDC Link MV Network 1

MV Network 2

+V

+V

P
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STATCOM with energy storage

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-V

MVDC Link

-V

STATCOM with energy storage To MV Network 3

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FACTS Solutions

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FACTS Types
Shunt connected
MSC MSCDN SVC RSVC Mechanically Switched Capacitor Mechanically Switched Capacitive Damping Network Static VAr Compensator Relocatable Static VAr Compensator

STATCOM Static Synchronous Compensator (VSC based)

Series connected
FSC TCSC SSSC UPFC IPFC
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Fixed Series Capacitor compensator Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor Compensator Static Series Synchronous Compensator (VSC based) Unified Power Flow Controller (VSC based) Interline Power Flow Controller (VSC based)

SVC has been the most popular FACTS device

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What are SVCs?

Shunt compensation devices dealing with reactive power (MVAr)

Independent devices connected at appropriate points on the transmission system
Location determined by network studies

Continuously adjustable impedance from capacitance (+ve: generation) through to inductance (-ve: absorption)
It can quickly respond to network changes to precisely counterbalance the reactive power variations caused by load changes or a fault

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SVCs for compensating effects of load - 1

No Load 0MW Ferranti Overvoltage Effect

400kV

Full Load: 800MW System Collapse

800 km

800MW 800MW 800MW Generati Generation Generati on on

800MW 800MW 800MW Variable Variable Load Variable Load Load

Uncompensated lines are too short

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SVCs for compensating effects of load - 2

0MW 400kV 800MW

800 km

800MW 800MW 800MW Generati Generation Generati on on

SVC

SVC

800MW 800MW 800MW Variable Variable Variable Load Load Load

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SVCs dynamically regulate the network by providing or absorbing reactive power. - Transmission line capacity is increased
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SVC dynamic stability in action

Voltage PU

With SVC (fast recovery and low voltage dip

1.0 With SVC (much faster recovery with lower voltage dip)

0.75

Without SVC (may just recover, but large voltage dip experienced )

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0.25

0.5

0.75

Without SVC (heading for system collapse) Time Seconds 1.0

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SVC: Power Oscillation Damping

Transmitted Power

With SVC

No SVC

Time

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Summary of Purposes of SVC

Steady State
Regulates voltage profile
Improves system power flow capacity (at least 30%) Reduce or eliminate requirement for new lines

Dynamic
Assists in post-fault recovery Power oscillation/swing damping Improves system stability margins Reduction of voltage fluctuations (flicker) Balancing single phase loads onto 3 phase systems Reduces the incidence of black/brown-outs

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SVCs enable the maximisation of transmission line assets

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-75/+150MVAr SVC NGT, Lovedean, UK

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Relocatable SVCs
A relocatable SVC adds flexibility Enables compensation to be easily moved as transmission line requirements change
Cabins for indoor equipment
Valves and controls, etc

Skids for outdoor equipment

Reactors, capacitors, etc

Factory assembled & tested units Reduced civil works Simple site work Small footprint

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The Flexible Option

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Relocatable SVC on its way to Iron Acton

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Power on the Move

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RSVCs at Iron Acton, UK

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VSC based FACTS Applications

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Types of VSC FACTS STATCOM

Static Synchronous Compensator
Connected in shunt to the network Acts like a Synchronous Condenser without inertia and moving parts, but with much faster response to disturbances
Transistor Bridge DC Link Capacitor can be supported by Supercapacitors
F

RFI Reactor Coupling Transformer Non-switched High Frequency Filters

Converter Reactor

Transistor bridge can be built using same PEBB modules as used in VSC HVDC

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3-phase bridge, PWM 1- 2kHz

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STATCOM Characteristics Compared to Classical SVC

System Voltage (p.u.) 1.0 p.u.

Classical SVC STATCOM

0.4 p.u.

1.0 p.u. Capacitive Current (Leading)

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Inductive Current (Lagging)

1.0 p.u.

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Why VSC FACTS

Grid sees the device as a synchronous machine without inertia
Offers sub-cycle response Phases are independently controlled, gives optimum voltage support especially during system disturbances

Do not require large reactive components (capacitors and shunt reactors) to provide inductive and capacitive reactive power
Compact leading to minimum footprint

Operating range is wider than a classical SVC

Higher reactive output at lower system voltages Robust recovery support under severe system disturbances Significantly improved voltage control, particularly under contingencies

Higher dynamic response characteristics than classical SVC

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STATCOMs enable the maximisation of transmission line assets

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