Lecture - 5 HVDC Power Transmission

AEEP2102 – Power Systems -I
LECTURE - 5
High Voltage Direct Current Transmission
HVDC
Raqib Hussain Anwarruddin

Definitions
• Electric power systems were originally developed with direct
current.
• The development of transformers and induction motors at
the beginning of the 20th century, led to the shift toward the
AC transmission.
• As energy networks expanded over long distance, problems
emerged with the AC system
✓ Losses
✓ High equipment costs (e.g., vars compensation)
✓ Controllability and stability
✓ Faults
• DC solution came back to life as a viable alternative.
What we will cover in this Lecture
• Importance, operation, various configuration of HVDC
transmission systems.
• Power conversion process in HVDC systems.
• AC/DC systems’ interactions.
• Real-life HVDC case discussions.
Why HVDC systems?
• Overall, you mainly will understand

✓ Why HVDC emerged again?
✓ When it will be viable option?
✓ How to deal with it (prepare to work in a HVDC system as an
engineer)
HVDC in Qatar: the path to future
1. Efficient long-distance transmission.
2. Extensive renewable energy projects
• Reduce dependence on fossils.
• Integrates the country’s Renewable Energy sources efficiently.
3. Interconnectivity
• Interconnect with neighboring countries for optimal operation.
• Delay energy commissioning projects.
• Establish a regional (and may be global) power market.
HVDC in Qatar: the path to future
4. Efficient energy management by
reducing
• Transmission losses.
• Peak demand and associated costs.
• Carbon emission (a national priority).
5. Reliability and security
• Security of energy supply.
• Barrier against faults and stability issues
Factors Driving Evolution of Transmission
Requirements
⚫ Increasing distances and voltages
⚫ Interconnection of utilities
⚫ Economics and reliability
⚫ Environmental issues and development of
renewable resources
⚫ Transfer of fault and disturbances
Quick HVDC History
◼ 1930s Efficient static AC/DC conversion (mercury arc valves)
was made possible.
◼ 1940s High Voltage DC (HVDC) bulk power transmission
was studied in Germany.
First commercial application in Sweden: submarine
◼ 1954 link between mainland and Gotland island (100 kV-20
MW-90 km).
◼ 1970s Thyristors (SCRs) took over; allows HVDC operation
voltages attain 600 kV, transmitted power over 3000 MW.
◼ Today ... DC made its way back into bulk power systems!
Typical HVDC Applications
1. Interconnection of non-synchronous AC power
systems, including different frequencies.
2. Power transmission over long undersea cable links.
AC solution requires intermediate compensation.
3. Point-to-point, long-distance transmission of large

amount of power.
For items 1. and 2., HVDC is the only practical solution.

For item 3. The choice of DC or AC transmission
is a matter of technical-economic convenience.
1. Bulk power transfer over long distance.
2. Power transfer through submarine cables (e.g., off-shore wind energy).
3.Create a positive damping of electromechanical oscillations (fast power
stability and control).
4. Interconnection of grids with different frequencies.
5. Multi-terminal for strategic economic gains.

6. Link remote RES to main grids.
7.Advances in Voltage Source Converters (VSC) allowed better energy
harness from wind farms.
8. Useful in generator connections (as no short circuit in HVDC links).
HVDC System Main Components
Sood
1. Converter transformer
6. Control and protection system
2. Power converter
7. Electrode lead.
3. Smoothing reactor.
8. Electrode.
4. AC filter.
9. Telecontrol communication system
5. DC filter.
HVDC System Main Components
System Architecture of HVDC Systems
Conversion from AC to DC System
Types of HVDC Links
◼ Monopolar Link
◼ Monopolar link has only one conductor and return path is provided by
permanent earth or sea. The line usually operates with negative polarity
with respect to ground so as to reduce corona loss and radio interference
◼ Bipolar Link
◼ This is most widely used dc link for overhead long distance HVDC
transmission systems and also for back-to-back HVDC system. This link has
two conductors— one operating with positive polarity and the other with
negative polarity with respect to the earthed tower structure
◼ Homopolar Link
◼ A homopolar link has two or more conductors having the same polarity,
usually negative, and always operates with ground as the return

conductor. In case of a fault on any one of the conductors, the converter
equipment can be reconnected so that the healthy conductor can supply
power
HVDC Transmission Advantages
◼ HVDC links are usually bipolar.
◼ Compared to AC, DC transmission has several advantages
— HVDC overhead lines are less expensive and require

narrower right-of-ways.
— Line losses (Joule and corona) are also smaller.
— Angular stability and reactive power balance are not a
concern: there is no need of intermediate
switching/compensating stations.
— Narrower right-of-way.
— Less CO2 per MW transmitted.
◼ As a consequence, less DC lines than AC lines are actually

needed to transmit the same power
Cost of Long-Distance AC vs DC Transmission
◼ The main shortcomings lies in the AC/DC conversion stations
due to their cost, large footprint and additional energy
losses
◼ The comparison between all the above factors, dictates
the convenience of AC or DC
(1) Initial cost of HVAC.

(2) Initial cost of HVDC.
(3&4) Cost of AC transmission &
associated reactive power :
• Every 120~200 km needs Var
compensation.
(5) Cost of HVDC transmission
components.
Kim
(6&7) Cost associated with losses of AC

and DC systems:
• DC has lower losses than AC for the
same amount of delivered power.
(8&9) Final cost of HVAC vs. HVDC
systems:
• HVDC is more economical over long
distance
• Usually, that’s over 450 KM.
CASE STUDY
The GCCIA HVDC Project
• GCCIA HVDC Project:

o Stands for the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection
Authority (GCCIA) High Voltage Direct Current Project.
o 400kV interconnection grid between Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab of Emirates (UAE).
o 900 km of overhead lines, seven 400kV substations, a
1800MW three-pole back-to-back HVDC converter station and
a submarine cable to Bahrain.
Aljohani, T.M.; Alzahrani, A. The Operation of the GCCIA HVDC Project and Its Potential
Impacts on the Electric Power Systems of the Region.
Aljohani, T.M.; Alzahrani, A. The Operation of the GCCIA HVDC Project and Its Potential
Impacts on the Electric Power Systems of the Region.
• Allow us to connect to
Europe, Central Asia, and
Africa, in future.
• Allow us to sell energy as a
product.
• Main points through Egypt,
Jordan and Yemen.
• Due to political conditions,
Tabuk-Egypt HVDC was
postponed in 2011
o Discussion returned in
2021.
o Project to receive bids
soon.

Lecture - 5 HVDC Power Transmission

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture - 5 HVDC Power Transmission

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture - 5 HVDC Power Transmission

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AEEP2102 – Power Systems -I

Raqib Hussain Anwarruddin

• Overall, you mainly will understand

3. Point-to-point, long-distance transmission of large

For items 1. and 2., HVDC is the only practical solution.

5. Multi-terminal for strategic economic gains.

usually negative, and always operates with ground as the return

— HVDC overhead lines are less expensive and require

◼ As a consequence, less DC lines than AC lines are actually

(1) Initial cost of HVAC.

(6&7) Cost associated with losses of AC

• GCCIA HVDC Project:

You might also like