HVDC Slides
HVDC Slides
• Until 1970, the converter stations utilized mercury arc valve for
rectification
• It can be shown that the lines designed with same insulation level, a
DC line can carry as much power with two conductors (with positive
and negative polarities with respect to ground) as an AC line with
three conductors of the same size
– DC line require less RoW, simpler and cheaper towers and reduced conductors,
about 67% of that for AC with same current carrying capacity of conductors
Advantages of DC transmission:
1. Full control over power transmitted
2. The ability to enhance transient and dynamic stability in associate AC networks
3. Fast control to limit fault currents in DC lines
― This makes it feasible to avoid DC breakers in two terminal DC links
High Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission
DC transmission overcomes some the problems of AC transmission.
They are:
Stability limits:
• The power transfer in AC lines depends on the angle difference
between the voltage phasors at the two ends
– For a given power level this angle increases with distance
• The voltage profile in an AC line is relatively flat only for a fixed level
of power transfer corresponding to surge impedance loading (SIL)
– For constant voltage at the line terminals, the midpoint voltage is reduced for line
loading > SIL, and increased for loading < SIL.
Problems of AC interconnection:
• When two power systems connected through AC ties (synchronous
interconnection), the automatic generation control of both systems
have to be coordinated using tie-line power and frequency signals
High Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission
Problems of AC interconnection:
• Even with coordinated control of interconnected systems, the
operation of AC ties can be problematic due to-
– The presence of large power oscillations which can lead to frequency
tripping
– Increase in fault level
– Transmission of disturbances from on system to the other
.
Transient reliability = × 100%
. !
Recordable AC system faults are those faults which cause one or more AC bus
phase voltage to drop below 90% of the voltage prior to the fault
• It has one conductor and uses either the ground or sea return
Bipolar link:
• In this type of link two conductors, one positive and the other
negative.
High Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission
• Each terminal has two sets of converters of equal rating, in series on
the DC side