Comparison of HVDC technologies CSC and VSC

Two main HVDC converter technologies are current source converter (CSC)
and voltage source converter (VSC)

Conventional thyristor device has only the turn ON control, its turn OFF
depends on current coming to zero as per circuit and system conditions. CSC
in which direct current always has one polarity and power reversal takes
place through reversal of voltage polarity.

VSC in which DC voltage always has one polarity and the power reversal
takes place through reversal of the DC polarity.

Maximum voltage and current rating of the switches

Thyristor IGBT MOSFET

Maximum voltage rating 8kV 1700 1000
Maximum current rating 4kA 800 100

Single thyristor is not sufficient to provide the complete rating of HVDC

transmission. For example, consider a Monopolar HVDC system of 100 kV,
1kA for operation. If the rating of a single thyristor is 5kV,1kA

100kV/5=20 nos Thyristors should be connected in series.

Valves are combination of series and parallel switches

The main requirement of the HVDC valves

1. It should be able to withstand high PIV

2. smooth control of conducting and non conducting phases.
 3. To allow current flow with low voltage drop during conduction period
and high Ri during non-conduction period.

Current source converter Voltage source converter

Type of converters Real power Reactive power

P control (P) control (Q)
Diode
Thyristor
IGBT/MOSFET

HVDC system based on CSC technology

Current source converters have been in commercial use since the 1950s.
Most HVDC systems now in service are of the CSC type and the technology
is well established. A typical CSC electrical diagram is shown below in
Figure. As a consequence of the AC-DC conversion technique utilised in
CSC technology, the converter absorbs reactive power from the surrounding
AC network and generates harmonic currents, both of which impact on the
quality of electrical power. AC harmonic filters and reactive compensation
must therefore be provided to maintain the quality of the electrical power.

The current flow in the DC circuit is unidirectional. In order to reverse the

power flow on a CSC HVDC connection, it is necessary to reverse the
polarity of the DC voltage. This is performed by the converter control system.
 Figure: HVDC system based on CSC technology built with Thyristors

CSC disadvantages:
1. Generates lower order harmonics
2. Consumes more reactive power
3. Independent control of P&Q is not possible.

HVDC system based on VSC technology

With the development of power electronic technology and the relatively
high switching frequency of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), HVDC
transmission system based on Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) has taken
on some excellent advantages. The new VSC-HVDC system known as
“HVDC Light” or “HVDC Plus” by leading vendors, has been applied in
several special occasions such as the connection of off-shore wind farms or
oil drilling platforms into the mainland electrical network and for underground
transmission or distribution systems within congested cities.

Figure: HVDC system based on VSC technology built with IGBTs

Generally, VSC based HVDC systems has the following advantages,

1. Possibility to control the reactive power (consumed or generated by
the converter) independently of the active power (to or from the
converter).
2. Ability to connect to weak AC networks.
3. Faster response due to increased switching frequency (PWM).

VSC disadvantages
1. high switching losses,
2. limits of the device applications.
 3. Presently practical uses of VSC HVDC system below 250MW. above
250MW at CSC HVDC system is used.
4. Potentially high power losses and high capital costs when compared
with conventional HVDC, but the technology continues to evolve

Difference between CSC and VSC:

CSC VSC
Use semiconductors which can Use semiconductors which can pass
withstand voltage in either polarity current in either direction (SCC)
(LCC)
Inductor is used in DC side and Store Capacitor is used on the DC side
energy inductively and Store energy capacitively
Power is reversed by changing Power is reversed by changing
voltage polarity of the converters direction of current flow
Current constant (CC) Voltage constant (CV)
I^2R higher losses More efficient
Cannot feed reactive power into AC Reactive power control power is
system possible
Static reactive support. Independent Dynamic reactive support.
control of active and reactive power is Independent control of active and
not possible reactive power
More fault tolerant and more reliable Complex conductive PWM control
Complex Multiterminal operation, Simple, no limitations
limited to 3 terminals
Lower cost Higher cost by 10 – 15%
Large site area, dominated by Compact site area, 50 – 60% of LCC
harmonic filters site area
High voltage direct current transmission Areas of application

HVDC Classic (CSC)

 Point to point transmission of bulk power over long distances

 Sea cables (> 100 km)
 Connection of strong, asynchronous grids with high power

HVDC Light® (VSC)

 Point to point transmission of small up to medium power over

long distances
 Connection of several (few) feed-in points, e.g. to support an
existing AC grid
 Suitable to be connected to weak grids or to supply passive loads
(e.g. offshore platforms)