High Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission

Chapter 7

Introduction

First HVDC Commercial System (1954): 100 kV, 20 MW, Mainland of Sweden to island of Gotland, Monopolar, Cable system. Mercury arc technology 1972 onwards all the HVDC system use thyristor valves The Biggest HVDC System: 300 kV, 6300 MW, ITAIPU Brazil.

Highest rating of device: 5 kV, 3 kA (now 10 kV, 4kA)

In India: Sileru-Barsoor Rihand-Delhi Talcher-Kolar 200 kV 500 kV 500 kV 400 MW 1500 MW 2000 MW 196 km 814 km 1397 km 1989 1990 2003

Advantages of HVDC

Less space compare to same voltage and power rating Ground can be used as return conductor Less corona loss and radio interference No charging current and less power loss Cheaper for long distance transmission No skin and Ferranti effect Asynchronous operation is possible No Switching transient No transmission of short-circuit power in case of fault Power control possible No compensation problem No stability problem

Advantages of HVDC

No technical limit to transfer the power except thermal limit Fast fault clearing time Cost of insulation is less

Disadvantages

High cost of terminal equipment: Requires convertors stations at each end which are expensive However, for long distance (above 600) and bulk power transmission, HVDC is cheap Introduction of harmonics Blocking of reactive power flow Point to point transmission is not possible Convertors can not be overloaded much Reactive power absorbed by convertors

cost

Distance

Types of HVDC links

1. Monopolar 2. Bipolar 3. Homopolar

Monopolar link

Only one energized conductor normally of negative polarity Ground or sea water used as return path

Types of HVDC links

Bipolar link

Two conductors with polarities (+ve and -ve) represented as Neutral points (junction between convertors) are grounded If there is fault on one conductor other conductor can be used with half of the rating

Structure of HVDC System

Homopolar link

Two or more conductor with same polarity (generally -ve) Operates ground as return If there is fault on one conductor other conductor can be used with half of the rating

Components in HVDC Transmission

Convertors Convertor transformer Smoothing reactor AC (Harmonic) filter Overhead lines Reactive power source

Earth electrode
DC Filters Circuit Breakers

Basics of Convertor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon-controlled_rectifier

Convertor Operation
5&6 6&1 1&2 2&3 3&4 4&5 5&6 6&1

Current and Voltage in Convertors

3.500 3.000 2.500 2.000 1.500 1.000 0.500 0.000 0 -0.500 -1.000 -1.500 90 180 270 360 450 540 630

1 4 1&2 2&3 3&4 4&5 5&6 6&1

1 4

5&6 6&1

HVDC Links Connecting Different Regions

http://www.cdeep.iitb.ac.in/nptel/Electrical%20Engineering/Power%20System%20Operation%20and%20Control/Course_home_L36.html