High Voltage Direct current (HVDC)
Transmission Line System
Dr. Zakieldeen Elhassan
Assistant Professor – Karary University
Emails:
[email protected] [email protected] What is HVDC Transmission System?
High voltage direct current (HVDC) power systems uses D.C. for
transmission of bulk power over long distances. For long distance
power transmission, HVDC lines are less expensive, and losses are less
as compared to AC transmission. It interconnects the networks that
have different frequencies and characteristics.
AC is better for generation DC is better for transmission
and utilization
Classification of HVDC transmission system
The classification of HVDC systems depends upon the arrangement of
the pole and the earth return.
They are as follows:
(i) Monopolar link
(ii) Bipolar link
(iii) Homopolar link
(i)Monipolar Link : A monopolar link has only one conductor, with ground or sea as
a return path. Generally, the conductor has a negative polarity with respect to the
earth
ADVANTAGES:
• The corona effect in a DC line
is less because of the negative
• Less conductor material is
required as ground is used as
the return path.
• Less insulation cost.
Classification of HVDC transmission system
(ii) Bipolar links: have two conductors, one at the positive potential and the other at the
negative (same magnitude) with respect to the ground. At each terminal, two identical sets of
converters are connected in series, on the DC side.
Advantages: DISADVANTAGES:
• Power transmitting capacity is doubled when • Terminal equipment cost is high.
compared to monopolar link. • More conductor material is required.
• If a fault occurs in one conductor, half power • Corona loss is high.
can be transmitted through other
Classification of HVDC transmission system
Homopolar link: has two or more conductors, all having the same polarity, and ground
is used as the return path.
ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
• Corona effect is less in negative polarity • Ground return path causes corrosion
conductors. of buried metallic structures.
• Less conductor material is required because • Causes disturbance in underground
ground is used as the return path. communication cables.
• We can avoid power interruption due to faults
by transmitting power through other conductors.
• Reliability is high.
• Insulation costs are low.
Between AC and DC transmission which one will we use?
We will decide based on:
(i) Technical Performance and
(ii) Economic consideration.
Technical Performance
1. Interconnection:
AC interconnection: Two AC systems are connected by
an AC link. Frequency of these two system should be very close. It
is also known as synchronous tie
Disadvantages of AC interconnection:
Frequency disturbance in one system is transferred
to other system
Power swing in one system may affect the other
system. Major fault in one system may lead to the complete failure
of the system.
Increase in fault level.
Technical Consideration
Advantages of DC interconnection:
A DC interconnection provides loose tie between two AC system.
Can interconnect two AC system of different frequency.
Fast and reliable control of magnitude and direction of
power flow by controlling firing angle.
02. Stability limit: In AC system
Reactance of the line increases with the length of
the line
It leads the reactive power drop
So reactive power to be injected at regular interval
to stabilize the AC system
But DC system is free of this limitation due to absence of
reactance. Thus power transfer capability is unaffected by the
distance.
Economic Consideration
01. A new DC line is to be provided instead of 3 phase AC line:
Since two losses are equal:
=
Power transmitted by DC =
Power transmitted by AC =
Power loss in DC =
Power transmitted by AC =
Cont.
For same power to be transmitted on
both side
Cont.
Cont.
02. Converting a three phase double circuit line to a three circuit DC
line
Power transfer in 3 phase double circuit AC line =
Power transfer in 3 circuit DC line =
Cont.
Economic Distance for HVDC transmission system
Environmental consideration
Example study of HVDC
Consider Monopolar HVDC system with two areas system the area
one is sending power to the second area through the HVDC
transmission line which, is based on VSC using 12-pluse Bridge. The
rectifier control power as a function of phase angle different between
the sending end and receiving end voltages. The sending voltage is
control by the exciter of the generator and the PWM carries wave
frequency is higher than the fundamental frequency. However the
inverter in the receive end is control the AC and DC voltage magnitude
using the same PWM of sending end side. In this case study it’s
concerned to normal and abnormal operation. Abnormal operation is
represented by a fault in the receiving end bus bar at 0.2s and clearing at
0.3s. The simulation time is 0.5s. Fig.10 shows the example study of
HVDC from PSCAD library example. The outputs are concerned to
show the AC voltage and current and DC voltage and current. This aims
to show the rectifier side and inverter side. The outputs in two cases are
showed in figures below.
Monopolar HVDC system
Rectifier side AC voltage and DC voltage and current in normal operation
Inverter side AC voltage and DC voltage and current in normal
operation
References
High voltage direct current transmission line (HVDC) , report by Dr.
Zakieldeen Elhassan , Assistant Prof. , Karary University
Insulation: High Voltage Direct current (HVDC), presented by Md.
Shamim Sarker , Assistant Professor , Dept. of EEE, KUET
Others websites
Notice : it is better to read about FACTS and
their applications in power systems
