MVDC – The New Technology for Distribution Networks
Graeme Bathurst*, George Hwang †, Lalit Tejwani $
*RXPE, UK, graeme@rxpe.co.uk, †RXPE, UK/Dubai, george@rxpe.co.uk, $RXPE, India, lalit.tejwani@rxpe.co.uk
Keywords: MVDC, Distribution, Soft open-point, VSC.
Abstract
MVDC is starting to be considered as an option for enhancing
transfer capacity and providing increased power quality at
distribution networks. There is a term starting to be used of
“soft open-point” which can provide controlled power
transfer between two 11kV or 33kV distribution groups,
without affecting short-circuit levels, voltage differences,
loop flows or limitations due to phase-angle differences. The
4-quadrant converters can provide reactive power support and
voltage control at each end of the link and multi-terminal is
also feasible. There are future technology opportunities
including enhancement of existing corridors through the
conversion of existing AC lines to DC.
This paper provides a technology overview as well as
information on recently deployed projects ranging from
linking of oil and gas platforms, through to an urban infeed.
It will summarise the benefits of MVDC and the applications
where it may provide a competitive or preferential alternative
solution to conventional technology.
1 Introduction
In DC circles, the story of the battle between the currents is
well known and is almost slipping into popular folklore via
recent media conversations such as “War of the Currents” –
Tesla Vs Edison” [1].
For those unaware of this past battle, in contrast to today’s
power systems, the first commercial distribution of electrical
energy was realized using direct current (DC). Edison’s Pearl
Street installation was commissioned in 1882, featuring a 24-
km long two-wire cable system of copper conductors that
distributed electricity at a voltage of 110 V for incandescent
lighting in Lower Manhattan, New York. But, due to the high
losses caused by the low distribution voltage, the dc
technology at that time was outperformed in terms of
efficiency by its alternating current (AC) counterpart, which
was developed in the middle of the 1880s by Westinghouse
(Tesla). The ac system could use transformers (a voltage
converter invented and patented first in Europe) to step up the
generator voltage to high levels, that are suitable for long-
distance transmission of electric power. Consequently, the
medium-voltage alternating current distribution and
transmission system operated with lower currents and had
considerably lower losses than low-voltage DC systems.
1
Consequently, with the state-of-the-art technology in those
early days, ac systems could provide a higher efficiency.
Soon after, thanks to the invention of the transformer, three-
phase AC transmission and distribution systems became and
have been ever since the cornerstone of efficient and reliable
electricity supplies system.
Today, owing to considerable progress in the fields of power
semiconductor devices and cable technology, DC is becoming
a more significant component of the modern power system,
and some are talking of a second battle in years to come of
AC versus DC.
At the Distribution Network level (<33kV), the AC versus
DC challenge is more complex compared to Transmission
Network level. In Distribution, DC is completing against a
well established, mature and low cost infrastructure base.
Therefore the advantages of MVDC need to overcome a
number of competitor strengths as well as its own
disadvantages. However, in the current niche of applications,
MVDC does offer some significant benefits that conventional
technology struggles to offer cost effective or practical
solutions. Once MVDC technology gains a foothold and
industry familiarity, then volume economics can start to kick-
in, and it can be expected to see an increase in the number of
applications and deployments.
The discussion on MVDC is not only limited to Distribution
Networks as Offshore Windfarm collector arrays are another
area that there is much discussion. This paper is focused only
on use for Distribution Networks, although the principles and
technology are applicable provided the appropriate
marinisation steps are taken.
2 Scope of MVDC
Recent surveys have shown that loads being served by today's
alternating current (AC) power grids are increasingly natively
DC [2,3]. In fact, according to some estimates, approximately
80% of loads in commercial and residential structures are
now DC. Given the enormous political and policy support for
inverter-based native DC power sources such as PV, it makes
sense to reduce DC-AC-DC conversion losses and integrate
DC distribution networks into the power supply infrastructure
where practical.
The market for direct current (DC) distribution networks is
not a single, cohesive market. Rather, it encompasses several
disparate opportunities – utility networks, offshore networks,
data centres, green telecommunications towers, DC
subsystems within grid-tied commercial buildings, and off-
grid military networks. These all revolve around different
market assumptions, dynamics, and drivers. This paper is
focused on the application of DC to utility distribution
networks and leaves discussion on the other applications and
LVDC to another paper.
2.1 MVDC for Utility Distribution Networks
MVDC is starting to be considered as an option for enhancing
transfer capacity and providing increased power quality at
distribution networks. As a simple MVDC system consists of
fully–controlled converters, then it creates a number of useful
opportunities for a utility that are not available using
conventional technology.
The challenges facing Distribution Utilities in the modern era
are multi-faceted ranging from increased pressure on
investment and operational efficiency, restricted corridors for
expansion, ageing equipment, legacy systems and rapid
growth in embedded generation. At the high-level the
following are some of the Site Characteristics where MVDC
may provide a beneficial business case for deployment:
• Long overhead line circuits
• Urban cable circuits
• Circuits through highly constrained or sensitive areas
• Fault-level constrained but capacity increase required
• Phase-angles across transmission in-feeds
• Neighbouring feeders with different load factors or power
quality that linking will release additional capacity
• MV groups with voltage and power-flow challenges
The benefits of the use of MVDC can be summarised as:
• Better utilisation of existing network assets.
• Deferred / avoided investment in network reinforcement.
• Reduced losses in other equipment.
• Power electronics do not contribute fault current so
protection arrangements unchanged.
• Short circuit levels, voltage differences, loop flows or
limitations due to phase-angle differences unaffected.
• The 4-quadrant converters can also provide reactive power
support and voltage control at each end of the link and multi
terminal is also feasible.
MVDC does have some complicating factors that need to be
considered such as:
• Short lifetime equipment (~15-25yrs compared to 30-40yrs)
incurs greater replacement costs; this needs to be factored into
any business case.
• Substation space still required for DC converters even if
provided as containerised solutions.
• MVDC losses are higher than transformers or circuit-
breakers, so losses need to be considered at an overall
network level.
The following sections consider the use of MVDC at an
individual substation level as well as at a network level.
2
2.2 Substation Reinforcement Opportunities
MVDC can be used at a substation level to provide increased
power transfer capacity in situations where the up-rating
cables and transformers is disruptive, expensive and hard to
achieve. Some of these options include:
• Prevent voltage limits impinging before thermal limits by
increasing the control options in the network.
• Dynamically rebalancing voltage and flows to avoid limit on
individual phase.
• Even up loading between transformers or create new routes
power between substations or parts of substations.
• Alleviate power quality problems by splitting
These can be achieved by using MVDC in a configuration by
the so-called “Soft Open Point” (SOP) application (Figure 1).
This is essentially two power converters connected in a back
to back arrangement across a conventional Open-Point, or
busbar section.
MVDC in a back-to-back configuration can provide “soft-
open point” capability to improve power balancing at heavily
loaded substations and improve reliability, while maintaining
short-circuit levels within circuit-breaker ratings. These
back-to-back configurations also allow the system to
overcome potential phase-angle differences and circulating
power-flows when the MV substations are fed from different
transmission infeeds.
By using the controllable power transfer capability, and
individual voltage control capabilities of each converter, it is
possible to dynamically force active power flows to balance
feeders (and phase loadings), and thereby better utilise the
existing network capacity.
This has further advantages where it is not otherwise possible
to close up this open-point due to loop-flows, short-circuit
levels, voltage limits, or poor power quality on one of the
groups.
Figure 1. 12 MVA / 11kV Soft Open Point formed with back-
to-back converters.
2.3 Corridor Reinforcement Opportunities
At HV transmission level, there has previously been
discussion and feasibility studies to convert an existing AC
right of way to DC, as there can be considerable increases in
power transfer. This becomes particularly important where
the corridor is highly constrained for non-electrical reasons
such as environmental restrictions or restricted corridor width.
MVDC can provide capacity increases on existing MV
circuits through a combination of increased current and
voltage operation and avoidance of voltage drop, phase-angle
and power-factor limitations. MV here is defined as from
10kV up to 70kV - but is not a limiting term.
MV networks typically only have a maximum of four
terminals within a specific protection group, therefore
limiting the likely maximum number of converter stations
within a specific multi-terminal group. Within each
protection group the circuit breakers are only at each end,
therefore for a MVDC equivalent there is no requirement for
DC circuit breakers.
In the UK, 33kV circuits are typically in the order of 20-
25MVA and 300-400A continuous winter rating. They are
generally operated with a single earthing point at the bulk
supply substation feeding from 132kV, remote ends are delta
connected without earthing transformers. The 33kV networks
are often operated as part of a ring or mesh system, or as
radial circuits in parallel with separate supply points and then
interconnected on the 11kV busbar of the secondary
substations to provide security.
By converting a specific 33kV circuit or group to MVDC, it is
in theory possible to increase the specific transfer capacity of
that circuit compared to the nominal AC rating. Clearly as
this is now fully controllable, it may have additional network
capacity increases (i.e. removal of power-flow or voltage
limitations). The MVDC capacity increase is based on the
following fundamentals:
• DC able to use full peak voltage capability of AC circuits
compared to the RMS rating (1.4x)
• DC does not suffer from skin effect so potential for
increased current capability without affecting sag (1.1x)
• DC will need metallic return so can only utilise 2 of 3
conductors on single circuit (0.67x)
• Existing 33kV AC circuits run with single ground point at
BSP, AC insulation rated for 1.7x nominal voltage for single-
phase voltage displacement at remote ends. DC does not
have voltage displacement if grounded at both ends, therefore
can utilise full insulation capacity (1.7x)
By combining these factors together, the total theoretical
increase from simple conversion of single circuit 33kV AC to
MVDC can be shown up to 185%. This is based on the
following comparison for a typical point to point application:
• AC: 400A at 33kV gives 21.7MW at 0.95pf
• DC: 440A at ±45kV gives 40MW with 0.9pf (assumes
45MVA converter)
3
Figure 2. MVDC corridor capacity enhancement
DC creepage and contamination issues may require increased
safety factors so reducing away from theoretical voltage
capabilities.
If a double-circuit is available, then the third wire can be also
utilised for current transfer and the theoretical transfer
capacity can be increased significantly.
It is possible in the MVDC configuration to include hybrid
operation of the existing cable or overhead line to provide
fail-safe use for consumer security in event of converter
maintenance/failure by reverting to AC operation. This could
also provide a loss reduction option of operating at AC at low
loads and would only require a bypass switch at each
substation terminal.
Clearly before any conversion of an existing AC circuit, it is
important to test and verify the performance of all affected
equipment such as insulators, line isolators, cables and cable
joints under DC conditions.
4 MVDC Case Study - Wenchang Project
Recently a revolutionary MVDC system has been provided
for CNOOC as part of the Wenchang 19-1A to 14-3A
platform submarine cable repair project. This was provided
by the specialist power electronic equipment manufacturing
RXPE on a turn-key basis.
The Wengchang project was started in 2010 as a result of
customer negotiations and participation with the RXPE
business, product development and engineering departments
to help address the urgent loss of supply security problem.
4.1 Problem: Failed transmission cable phase
Initially, the power transmission between Wengchang off-
shore drilling platforms “19 – 1A” and “14 – 3A” used three
29.2 km long single phase submarine cables. Due to the
switching surge impact damaging the insulation of one of the
cables, the power transmission between the two platforms
was interrupted, and so only Diesel Generator could be used
on the remote platform.
However, the reliance on the Diesel generator was DC reactor : 0.5 mH, DC 15 kV / 400 A
undesirable to the client due to the following reasons: Dimension : Two containers, each 6m x 5m x 4.5m
• High cost of operation and maintenance.
• Serious air and noise pollution. Inverter Substation (14 – 3A)
• Limited generator capacity. Converters : 4MVA, DC 15 kV / AC 400 V, AC 35 kV
• Serious energy waste. Transformer : 400 V x 14 / 400 V x 1, 35 kV x 1, 400 V
x 1 (auxiliary), 4MVA
The alternative to MVDC for CNOOC was to install Power module : DC Input 1100 V, AC Output 400 V,
additional submarine cables and surge mitigation equipment. Rated Power 285 kVA
This was viewed as time-consuming and expensive. Valves : 14 power modules connected series on DC
side, AC output 400 V
4.2 Solution: MVDC CONVERTER DC reactor : 0.5 mH, DC 15 kV / 400 A
Extensive joint design evaluation was undertaken before Dimension : Two power module containers, each 6m x
settling on their existing high power MV drive platform to 2.7m x 2.9m; one transformer container,
form the technology platform for the MVDC application. 9.6m x 2.8m x 2.3 m; one reactor container,
This is a multiple branch converter topology that has good 9.6m x 2.8m x 2.1 m
efficiency, flexibility, modular configuration, and can directly
connect at MV AC voltage levels to remove the requirement
for external transformers.
V V

Each end of the link was installed into marinised containers,

fully tested onshore before being transferred to the offshore
A A

platforms and installed. A

A A

Using the MVDC system, the remaining two phases of AC

submarine cables with good insulation serve as the positive V V

and negative DC cables, and the damaged phase served as the

neutral line. Power was then transported to the 14-3A
platform via the MVDC link from 19-1A. The 14-3A
platform inverter device then transforms the DC into AC, and
supplies power for the 14-3A, 8-3A and 8-3B platforms via
the existing AC distribution network.
The MVDC was configured as a symmetrical bipole, such
that the positive and negative poles are identical and each
pole can work independently of the other to provide security
of supply to the remote platforms. Powerflow was
predominantly uni-directional from 19-1A to 14-3A.
Figure 4. 8 MVA / ±15kV MVDC project SLD
Performance Feedback
The MVDC installation has been operating successfully since
its installation in 2013, with good availability and reliability,
and the project has satisfied the client requirements.
CNOOC has subsequently deployed a second MVDC system
to link an additional two platforms on another group. A
technology demonstrator project has also recently been
implemented using the same technology for an distribution
utility providing MVDC infeed to a constrained urban
substation.

Figure 3. 8 MVA / ±15kV MVDC project

The MVDC system main parameters are:

Rectifier Substation (19 – 1A)
Converters : 2 x 4MVA, AC 10.5 kV / DC 15 kV
Transformer : 10.5 KV / 1320 V x 8, 400 V x 1
(auxiliary), 4MVA
Power module : AC Input 1320 V, DC Output 1860 V, Figure 5. Wengchang MVDC project installed (14-1A)
Rated Power 500 kVA
Valves : 8 power modules connected series on DC
side, DC output 15 kV

4
5 MVDC Case Study – DC Distribution multi-branch topology with bridges in series on the MV side,
Technology Development Project and parallel on the LV side and multiple smaller isolation
There is a China National Project currently underway to
develop and trial next generation DC Distribution Network
technology. This is to undertake key technology research and
application for VSC-DC intelligent distribution grids. The
project forms part of the national high-tech research and
development plan (863 plan) Sub-topics 4. The responsible
partners are: RXPE, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen power
supply bureau, Zhejiang University, and CSG Academy of
Sciences.
The topic purpose can be summarised as follows:
• Improve power supply capacity, solving distribution
corridor limiting problem
• Improve power quality, solving the problem of
sensitivity of emerging industries for voltage quality
• Renewable energy through DC connected into grid,
improve reliability and utilisation.
Key technology and application research to be undertaken on
DC Distribution grid as part of this project includes:
1. Research of intelligent DC distribution network
basic topology and optimisation.
2. DC Distribution grid grounding method research
3. LV DC Distribution network voltage level selection
4. DC distribution network energy storage equipment
optimal selection and capacity configuration
research.
Some of the specific tasks being undertaking are to develop
and test some of the new equipment that will be required if
DC distribution networks are to become a reality. The
specific equipment being developed and tested as part of this
project are:
MVDC Circuit Breaker
This is to undertake the theoretic research and develop an
engineering prototype of an MVDC circuit breaker. The
specified parameters are a rated voltage of ±7.5kVdc with a
5ms interrupt time and 1kA rated current.
Two different operating principles are being investigated as
part of this project, one based on a power electronic switch,
and the other based on artificial zero-crossing.
MVDC Secondary Transformer
This is to undertake the theoretic research and develop an
engineering prototype of a secondary substation to provide
step-down from MVDC to LVDC.
The specified parameters are rated DC voltages of
±7.5kV/400V, and a rated power of 200kW. This is only
required to be uni-directional at this stage.
Two technology proposals being considered, the first using a
high frequency transformer and MV inverter with a simple
diode bridge LV stage. The second approach is to use a
transformers.
MVDC Application Standard
A final important part of the project is to develop an initial
standard of MVDC for the china power industry. This is an
important step in developing the supply chain as well as
industry acceptance in the technology and application.
Project Timeline
Project timeline is to run from August 2013 – Dec 2015. This
project under-pins part of the wider drive towards better
understanding the application, opportunity and resolving
barriers to the deployment of DC distribution networks.
6 Summary
This paper has hopefully shown to the reader the technology
and justifications behind MVDC and that there is a place for
MVDC within today’s distribution networks. While still
arguably niche applications at this stage, there is growing
awareness and wider industry movements suggesting that
there may be a coming rematch of the classic “Battle of the
Currents”.
It is also important to note that this is not just a technology for
mature networks, but also has significant application and
relevance for developing countries facing rapid demand
growth and the need to maximise available network and
generation resources.
Electricity demand is growing every day and the Smart Grid
must be introduced in the near future. This calls for reliability
and flexibility in the distribution system. At present, much of
the majority of progress in developing DC-based technologies
has occurred at either the EHV (>100kV) or low voltage
(<100V) level of electricity service. Since distribution
networks have a different set of requirements to Transmission
and Microgrids, much work still needs to be done to bridge
this voltage innovation gap. This needs to be the focus of the
power technology companies.
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents
[2] http://www.navigantresearch.com/newsroom/direct-
current-distribution-networks-will-surpass-2-3-gigawatts-in-
worldwide-capacity-by-2025
[3] Reviving the War of Currents: Opportunities to Save
Energy with DC Distribution in Commercial Buildings,
Suzanne Foster Porter, Dave Denkenberger and Catherine
Mercier, Ecova Peter May-Ostendorp, Xergy Consulting
Peter Turnbull, PG&E