Module – 6 & 7:

HVDC Transmission System

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 CONTENTS

Introduction

Need of HVDC

Comparison of HVDC

Advantages of HVDC

Disadvantages of HVDC

Applications of HVDC

Configurations of HVDC

HVDC in INDIA

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 INTRODUCTION
AC has been the preferred transmission system for the past hundred years,
yet there are some technical limitations when it comes to HVAC
transmission for bulk power transfer over very long distances and
connection of asynchronous grids.

On other hand, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) is a technology that
transmits power in forms of DC, to increase the efficiency of bulk power
transmission over long distances.

They allow electricity to flow in both directions so demand and supply are
matched more effectively.

HVDC can interconnect asynchronous systems as well as systems with

different frequencies.
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Contd…
The world’s first commercial HVDC link situated between the Swedish
mainland and the island Gotland was delivered by ABB in the year of
1954 with the capacity of 20MW, 100 kV.

The longest HVDC link in the world is currently Belo Monte-Rio de

Janeiro transmission line, Brazil – 2,543km

The 2,543km-long Belo Monte-Rio de Janeiro transmission line in

Brazil is an 800kV ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC) line that
transmits electricity from the 11.2GW Belo Monte hydroelectric power
plant located in Para to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Need of HVDC:

As the load demand increases as the time progresses, there

should be two possibilities:
Either to increase the generation
To minimize the losses

The losses are occurred at various levels which are at are

Generating level, transmission level and distribution level
So the losses at transmission level can be greatly reduced by
HVDC transmission.

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Why to Prefer HVDC Than HVAC?

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 Contd…

Long distance transmission

5 times more energy transmits than AC(same lines)

 Less losses (no inductance, capacitance).

Cost of transmission is low.

Maintenance & operation cost is low.

Initial cost is high but overall cost is lower than ac

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 COMPARISON OF AC AND DC TRANSMISSION

The relative merits of the two modes of transmission of AC and DC should be

compared based on the following facts to assess the suitability:
1. Economics of transmission
2. Technical performance
3. Reliability

1. Economics of transmission

DC transmission of bulk power over long distances has certain distinct advantages
over conventional AC power transmission such as the following:
1. In DC transmission, inductance and capacitance of the line has no effect on the
power transfer capability of the line and the line drop. Also, there is no leakage or
charging current of the line under steady conditions. DC has more advantages
when power is transmitted through cables as there is no charging current in the
cable.
2. For long distance power transmission over 500 km, the saving in cost is
substantial. A DC line requires only 2 conductors whereas an AC line requires 3
conductors
03/30/2025 in 3-phase AC systems. The cost of the terminal equipment is more
8 in
 COMPARISON OF AC AND DC TRANSMISSION

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2. Technical performance
1. Full control over power transmitted in either direction.
2. The ability to improve the transient and dynamic stability of AC system when
embedded with DC link.
3. Fast control to limit fault currents in DC lines.
4. A DC link can be used as an asynchronous tie which can tie down the small
variations in system frequency of different AC systems.
5. Two large AC systems when interconnected by AC link may sustain instability.
But DC link may dampen the system oscillations due to its inherent short over
load capacity.
6. The choice of high voltage DC transmission system mainly depends on the
economic suitability for a particular application. Primarily economy lies in the
fact that DC transmission requires only two conductors per circuit (bipolar)
rather than three conductors required for an AC system. Consequently, the
CASE STUDIES
towers carry less conductor weight in DC system and are smaller in size and
1. hence
Comparison
are lessofcostly.
Single-Phase AC Line and Monopolar DC Line
2. Comparison of Bipolar DC Line with 3-phase AC Line for Power Transfer
Capability
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03/30/2025 11
Comparison of Bipolar DC Line with 3-phase AC Line for Power Transfer
Capability

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 3. Reliability

A study on the existing HVDC links in the world indicates that the reliability of DC
transmission system is quite good and comparable to that of AC systems. The
performance of thyristor valves is much more reliable than mercury arc valves.
Further, developments like direct light triggered thyristor (LTT) and new
techniques of control and protection have improved reliability levels.

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 ADVANTAGES OF HVDC TRANSMISSION
1. Interconnection of systems using long length of cables in particular while crossing
sea water.
2. Interconnection of systems operating at different frequencies (as asynchronous
tie).
3. Reduced transmission losses.
4. Rigid control over the magnitude and direction of power flow with easy reversibility
of power flow.
5. Limiting the transfer of fault current.
6. Damping out oscillations and improving the stability margins when embedded in
weak AC systems of low short circuit ratio (SCR). The strength of AC systems
connected to the terminals of DC links is measured in terms of short circuit ratio
(SCR). [SCR is defined as the AC power transfer under short circuit at the converter
bus or rated DC power. If SCR is less than 3, then AC system is said to be weak.]
7. HVDC transmission is most useful in areas requiring crossing of long waterways
like crossing a sea to feed an island through submarine cables. The first major DC
transmission line was established in 1960 in USSR for transmitting power of 750
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MW at ±400 kV, over a distance of 500 km. In USA, a DC line of 1360 km length
 LIMITATIONS OF HVDC TRANSMISSION LINES
1. Due to generation of harmonics in converter operation, non sinusoidal currents
will flow in converter transformers on the AC side, causing audio frequency
telephone interference. Therefore, huge filters are required on both AC and DC
sides to suppress the harmonics.
2. Static var compensation is essential since a DC system cannot generate
reactive power when the converters operate with gate control. Reactive power
is to be supplied from AC side at both ends.
3. Reliable multi-terminal DC systems are yet to be established because of lack of
HVDC circuit breakers. At present gate control is used to block DC under fault
conditions. However, recent developments indicate that this can be achieved
in near future. Canada (Quebec)—Massachusetts HVDC system is operating as
a 3-terminal system and was put into service in 1991.
4. Complexity of control.
5. High cost of conversion equipment.
6. Inability to use transformers to change voltage levels.
Significant advances in DC transmission, which have tried to overcome
the disadvantages listed above.
1. Development of DC breakers
2. Modular construction of thyristor valves
3. Increase in ratings of thyristor cells that make up a valve
4. Twelve pulse operation of converters
5. Use of metal oxide gapless arresters
6. Application of fiber optics and digital electronics in the control of converters

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COMPARISON OF HVDC LINK WITH EHVAC LINK
 HVDC links - System Configurations

 Monopolar links
 Bipolar links
 Homopolar links
 Multi terminal links
 Back-to-back links
 Point-to-point links

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 Monopolar links

 Having one conductor (-Ve Polarity) and ground is used as return path.

 We can operated either in +Ve or –Ve polarity, but usually preferred -Ve
polarity in order to reduce the Corona effect.
 The major drawback in this system is power flow is interrupted due to either
converter failure or DC link.
 The ground return is objectionable only when buried metallic structures
(Such as pipes) are present and are subject to corrosion with DC current flow.
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 Bipolar links

 It uses two conductors, one positive and the other negative

 Each terminal has two converters of equal rated voltage, connected in

series on the DC side

 The junctions between the converters is grounded

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 Contd…

 Currents in the two poles are equal and there is no ground current

 If one pole is isolated due to fault, the other pole can operate with

ground and carry half the rated load (or more using overload
capabilities of its converter line)
 There are two conductors , one is operates at positive and other is
negative. During fault in one pole it will operate as monopolar link.
This is very popular link in HVDC

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 Homopolar links

 In this link, two or more conductors have same polarity.

 Normally negative polarity are used(less corona loss and radio interference).
 Ground is always used as return path.
 During fault in one pole it works as monopolar.

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 Multi terminal Links

 T h e r e are more than two sets of converters like in the bipolar case.

 T h u s , converters one and three can operate as rectifiers while converter

two operates as an inverter.
 Operating in the opposite order, converter two can operate as a rectifier
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and converters one and three as inverters
 Back-to-Back Links

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Contd…

 In this case the two converter stations are located at

the same site and no transmission line or cable is
required between the converter bridges.
 T h e c o n n e c t i o n m a y b e m o n o p o l a r o r b i p o l a r.
 The dc-link voltage is regulated by controlling the
power flow to the ac grid.
 T h i s s y s t e m h a v i n g f a s t c o n t r o l o f t h e p o w e r f l o w.

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 Point-to-Point Links

 T h i s configuration is called as the point to point configuration, when the

converters are located in different regions and need to be connected with
a transmission line to transmit power from one converter side to another.
 In that case one converter acts as a rectifier, which provides the power flow
and another one acts an inverter which receives that power.

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 Components of HVDC Transmission Systems

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 Contd..

 Converters

 Smoothing reactors

 Harmonic filters

 Reactive power supplies

 Electrodes

 DC lines

 AC circuit breakers

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 Converters:
 They perform AC/DC and DC/AC conversion

 They consist of valve bridges and transformers

 Valve bridge consists of high voltage valves connected in a 6-pulse or 12-

pulse arrangement
 The transformers are ungrounded such that the DC system will be able to
establish its own reference to ground

Smoothing reactors:
They are high reactors with inductance as high as 1 H in series with each
pole They serve the following:
They decrease harmonics in voltages and currents in DC lines
They prevent commutation failures in inverters
Prevent current from being discontinuous for light loads
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 Harmonic filters:

 Converters generate harmonics in voltages and currents. These harmonics

may cause overheating of capacitors and nearby generators and
interference with telecommunication systems.
 Harmonic filters are used to mitigate these harmonics

Reactive power supplies:

 Under steady state condition conditions, the reactive power consumed by
the converter is about 50% of the active power transferred
 Under transient conditions it could be much higher Reactive power is,
therefore, provided near the converters
 For a strong AC power system, this reactive power is provided by a shunt
capacitor
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 Electrodes:
 Electrodes are conductors that provide connection to the earth for neutral.
They have large surface to minimize current densities and surface voltage
gradients

DC lines:
 They may be overhead lines or cables

 DC lines are very similar to AC lines

AC circuit breakers
 They used to clear faults in the transformer and for taking the DC link out
of service
 They are not used for clearing DC faults

 DC faults are cleared by converter control more rapidly

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 HVDC in INDIA (Back-to-Back)

HVDC LINK CONNECTING REGION CAPACITY (MW)

Vindyachal North – West 2 x 250

Chandrapur West – South 2 x 250

Vizag-I East – South 500

Sasaram East – North 500

Vizag-II(Gazuwaka) East – South 500

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 2 x 250 MW HVDC Vindhyachal Back to Back Station.

Completion date: April 1989

Specifications:

Power rating : 2x250MW

No. of Blocks 2

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage + 70 kV

Converter 8x156MVA
Transformer

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 System Salient
Features:
 It connects Vindhyachal Super Thermal
Power Stations (Western Region) to
Singrauli Super Thermal Power Stations
(Northern Region) in Indian Grid.
 Each Block power carrying capacity is 250
MW.
 Bidirectional power flow capability is
available.
 The project achieve load diversity of Northern and
Western region in Indian Grid by meeting high
demand from surplus power available in either
regions
 First commercial Back to Back HVDC Station in
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India
 2 x 500 MW HVDC Chandrapur Back to Back Station.

Start date: November 1993

Completion date: Dec 1997

Specifications:
Power rating : 2x500MW
No. of Blocks :2
AC Voltage :400kV
DC Voltage :205kV
Converter Transformer:12x234
MVA

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 System Salient Features :

 It connects Chandrapur Thermal Power Stations (Western Region) to

Ramagundum (Southern Region) Thermal Power Stations in Indian Grid.

 Each Block power carrying capacity is 500 MW.
 Bidirectional power flow capability is available.

 The project achieve load diversity of Western and Southern region in Indian

Grid by meeting high demand from surplus power available in either regions
 Second commercial Back to Back HVDC Station in India.

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 2 x 500 MW HVDC Gazuwaka Back to Back Station.

Completion date:
Block 1: Feb 1999
Block 2: March 2005
Power rating : 2x500MW

No. of Poles 2

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage 205 kV(Block 1)

177kv(Block 2)
Converter Transformer
Block 1 6 x 234 MVA

Block 2 6 x 201.2 MVA

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 1 x 500 MW HVDC Sasaram Back to Back Station

Completion date: Sep 2002

Specifications:
Power rating : 1x500MW

No. of Blocks 1

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage 205 kV

Converter 6 x 234 MVA

Transformer

 Connects Pusauli (Eastern Region) to Sasaram (Eastern part of Northern

Grid) of Indian Grid (Power Transfer mainly from ER to NR)
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 HVDC in INDIA (Point-to- Point)

HVDC LINK CONNECTING REGION CAPACITY (MW)

Rihand-Dadri ER-WR 1500

Talcher-Kolar ER-SR 2000

Ballia- Bhiwadi ER-NR 2500

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 ± 500 kV , 1500 MW Rihand – Dadri HVDC Project.

Date of Commisioning: Dec-1991

Main Data:

Power rating : 1500MW

No. of Poles 2

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage + 500 kV

Converter Transformer
Rihand Terminal 6 x 315 MVA

Dadri Terminal 6 x 305 MVA

Length of over head 816 KM.

DC line
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 + 500 kV ,2000 MW, HVDC Talchar – Kolar Transmission Link

Completion date: June 2003

Specifications:
Power rating : 2000MW

No. of Poles 2

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage + 500 kV

Converter Transformer

Talcher 6 x 398 MVA

Kolar 6 x 398 MVA

Length of over head 1369 KM.

DC line

 This is the longest (1369 Km.) commercial HVDC link in India

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 + 500 kV, 2500 MW HVDC Ballia – Bhiwadi Transmission Link

Pole 1 Commissioned on 31-03- 10

Power rating : 2500MW

No. of Poles 2

AC Voltage 400 kV

DC Voltage + 500 kV

Length of over head 780Km

DC line
Converter Transformer
Ballia 8x 498 MVA

Bhiwadi 8x 498 MVA

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 National Grid – Present

Inter-regional
Capacity –
22,400MW

VSC HVDC
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 Upcoming Projects

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 BANGLADESH

INDI
A

- -
- 4+0 0--k V2 3 0 k V
1 3 2 kV
KHULNA
(S O U T H ) - -+- E x isting
Under Constr. I Future

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 India – Sri Lanka Interconnection

Madurai

185 Kms

Rameshwaram

90 Kms

Talaimannar

150 Kms

Proposed Route for Interconnection Anuradhapura

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 Indo-Srilanka HVDC Inter Connecter Link

 ± 400 kV, 4 x 250 MW HVDC Bi-pole Transmission (Link)

 From Madurai (India) to Sri Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka)
 Project having Overhead line (app 334 km) and Submarine Cable ( app 90
Km)

Overhead line Overhead line

Submarine
Cable

India Sea Sri Lanka

Transmission System in the Sea Route : Submarine Cable

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The following HVDC corridors have been planned for integration of
additional RE capacity by 2030:
• ±800 kV Bhadla-III - Fatehpur HVDC line
• ±350kV Pang - Kaithal HVDC line
• ±800kV Barmer-II - Jabalpur HVDC line
• ±800kV Khavda - Aurangabad HVDC line

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HVDC link
Comparison between HVDC CSC and HVDC VSC
Hierarchy and control coordination of HVDC link
 Problems on HVDC

1. A bipolar DC line of ±200 kV is delivering 200 MW on the DC side. The power

factor on the AC side of line is 0.86. Estimate the AC side voltage (3-phase) and
the corresponding current ratio. Assume the insulation levels are the same.

2. A bipolar two terminal HVDC link is delivering 800 MW at ±400 kV at the

receiving end. The total losses in the DC circuit are 40 MW. Calculate the
following: (i) Sending end power (ii) Sending end voltage (iii) Power in the
middle of the line (iv) Voltage in the middle of the line (v) Total resistance of the
DC circuit.

3. A HVDC link delivers DC power with AC line voltage to the rectifier being 500 kV
and that at the inverter being 492 kV. Taking α=12 and γ=18 and the DC
resistance of the line as 25Ω. Calculate the (i) DC voltage at both ends (ii) the
current in the DC link (iii) the power delivered and losses in the link
1. A bipolar DC line of ±200 kV is delivering 200 MW on the DC side. The power
factor on the AC side of line is 0.86. Estimate the AC side voltage (3-phase) and
the corresponding current ratio. Assume the insulation levels are the same.
1. A HVDC link delivers DC power with AC line voltage to the rectifier being 500 kV and
that at the inverter being 492 kV. Taking α=12 and γ=18 and the DC resistance of the
line as 25Ω. Calculate the (i) DC voltage at both ends (ii) the current in the DC link (iii)
the power delivered and losses in the link
1. A bipolar two terminal HVDC link is delivering 800 MW at ±400 kV at the
receiving end. The total losses in the DC circuit are 40 MW. Calculate the
following: (i) Sending end power (ii) Sending end voltage (iii) Power in the
middle of the line (iv) Voltage in the middle of the line (v) Total resistance of the
DC circuit.
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