Role of HVDC in Future Power

systems
By
Dr.V.Rajini
Professor/EEE
SSN College of Engg.
12/29/16

AC Vs DC
The War of Currents 1885 1890
In the AC side
In the DC side

Westinghouse

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&

Tesla

Edison
2

AC Vs DC
AC won because AC can be transmitted at
higher voltages with lower losses
DC was difficult to transform from low to high
voltage and back
It was not possible to do it electrically
The coupling between AC and DC still
uses transformers

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What makes the power to flow

PAC = (V sending V receiving / X) sin
PDC = ((V sending - V receiving )V Sending)/R

DC flow is limited by voltage and resistance

AC flow is limited by voltage,resistance and also by work needed to
establish electric and magnetic fields
- Electric fields charge and discharge the insulation media surrounding the
conductor.
- Currents leaking through the cable insulation limits the useful length of cables
for AC power transmission
- Magnetic fields surrounding the conductor can magnetize magnetic materials
and induce currents into the conductors.
- Energy required to build up the magnetic fields limits the useful length of
overhead lines for power transmission
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DC power per
conductor

AC power per
conductor

Ratio

pd = Vd Id

pa = Va Ia cos

pd / pa = 2 / cos
Taking cos = 0.945,
pd / pa =1.5

DC power per
circuit

AC power per
circuit

Ratio

Pd = 2 pd

Pa = 3 pa

Pd / Pa = 1
Both lines carry the
same power.

One may immediately conclude that three

phase ac circuit is in capacity equal to the
HVDC bipole
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But we have to accept that

only 2 conductors are required for DC
Simpler& shorter transmission structures
Lower cost of DC lines
Savings in line cost is much higher for cables
The power loss ratio AC: DC is 3:2
Practical power transfer capacity of an AC line will be lower
than that determined by thermal capacity & insulation level

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HVAC Vs HVDC Structure

765 kV AC Transmission lines

HVDC Transmission line

Itaipu line - Italy

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Overall Comparison of HVDC & HVAC

lines
LINE INSULATION
Clearance requirements are more critical for HVAC
More stringent demands on HVDC insulators( creepage)
CORONA EFFECTS
Larger conductor bundles are required for HVAC
EFFECT OF HIGHER ALTITUDES
Higher clearance and larger conductor bundles
MECHANICAL LOAD
Conductor load on tower is less for HVDC
COST ASPECT
Lower investment cost for HVDC lines
Cost advantage of HVDC is more pronounced at higher voltages and
altitudes
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IS HVDC Economical Complement

to AC Transmission?

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2003 The Year of BLACKOUTS

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Rome (26-6-03)
The province of Quebec , a
North East USA(14-8-03)part of Eastern
Helsinki(23-8-03)
interconnection is connected
Shanghai(27-8-03)
only by DC ties. The DC ties
London(28-8-03)
acted as buffers &disturbances
Kualalampur(1-9-03)
propagate through them less
Birmingham(5-9-03)
readily. So, Quebec was not
S/Dk(23-9-03)
affected by outage
Georgien(23-9-03)
Italy(28-9-03)
Athens(6-10-03)
Florianopolis(31-10-03)

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Problems with long AC transmission lines

Asynchronous
connection

Long Cables

Bottle necks

Loop flows

Long Lines

Power oscillations

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Asynchronous Connection
An AC tie between two asynchronous systems need to be very strong to not
get overloaded
If a stable AC tie would be too large for the economical power exchange
needs or if the networks wish to retain their independence, then HVDC link
is the solution

For networks with different frequencies bordering each other, it would be

impossible to exchange power with an AC line. HVDC is the only solution

Benefits:
The networks can retain their independence
An HVDC link can never be overloaded
HVDC transmission will act as a firewall against cascading disturbances.

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First Submarine cable Baltic Sea Cable -250 km

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NORNED Link- The Longest underwater High voltage Cable -2007 580 Km

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The Gotland HVDC link

The world's first commercial HVDC transmission system, the Gotland HVDC link
built in 1954, has over time been replaced with a 260 MW bipole transmission
system.

The 20 MW, 100 kV Gotland 1 HVDC link from 1954 was the first commercial
HVDC transmission in the world. The converter valves were mercury-arc valves.
In 1970, the stations were supplemented with thyristor valves which were
connected in series with the mercury-arc valves. The voltage was raised to 150
kV and the transmission capacity to 30 MW.

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Bottle necks( Congestion)

The transmission path or interface becomes congested when the allowed
power transfer capacity is reached.
The key impacts are reduction of system reliability, inefficient
utilization of transmission capacity & generation resources.
Bottlenecks may be relieved by the use of an HVDC in parallel with the
limiting section of the grid. By using the inherent controllability of the
HVDC system the power system operator can decide how much power
can be transmitted in the AC-link and how much by the HVDC system.
Technology / System:
(SVC), STATCOM
Benefits:

HVDC, Series Compensation, Static Var Compensator

Increased Power Transfer Capability

Additional flexibility in Grid Operation
Improved Power and Grid Voltage Control
An HVDC link can never be overloaded!
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Long Lines
Long lines need special consideration in the planning of a power
system
For long AC lines one must consider i.e. the reactive power
compensation, the transient stability and switching over voltages and
how many intermediate substations one needs
If the line length is longer than approx. 600 km one should also
consider if an HVDC alternative brings lower investment costs and/or
lower losses or if the inherent controllability of an HVDC system brings
with some other benefits
Another factor to consider is the land use
Benefits:
Lower investment cost
Lower losses
HVDC does not contribute to the short circuit current
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21

Long cables
Cables have large capacitances and therefore, if fed with AC, large
reactive currents. Cables for DC are also less expensive than for AC
Since no shunt reactor can be installed at intermediate points (in the
sea) and DC submarine cables are less expensive
With AC long distance water crossing the reactive power flow due to
the large cable capacitance will limit the maximum possible
transmission distance. With HVDC there is no such limitation

Benefits:
Lower investment cost
Lower losses

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Loop Flow
Unscheduled power flow on a given
transmission path in an interconnected
electrical system
Unscheduled power flows on transmission
lines or facilities may result in a violation of
reliability criteria and decrease available
transfer capability between neighbouring
control areas or utility systems.
Loop Flows, or Parallel Path Flows, may be
alleviated by the use of HVDC

Technology / System: Series Compensation,

HVDC
Benefits:
HVDC can be controlled to transmit contracted amounts of power and alleviate
unwanted loop flows.
An HVDC link can alternatively be controlled to minimize total network losses
An HVDC link can never be overloaded
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Power Oscillations
Periodic variations in generator angle or line angle due to transmission system
disturbances
Oscillations generally associated with transmission system disturbances and
can occur due to step changes in load, sudden change of generator output,
transmission line switching, and short circuits. Depending on the
characteristics of the power system, the oscillations may last for 3 -20 seconds
after a severe fault.
It is important to damp these oscillations as quickly as possible because they
cause mechanical wear in power plants and many power quality problems
The HVDC damping controller is a standard feature in many HVDC projects in
operation. It normally takes its input from the phase angle difference in the
two converter stations.
Benefits:
Increased Power Transfer Capability
Improved Power and Grid Voltage Control
An HVDC link can never be overloaded!

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Other problems with long AC transmission

lines
Unbalanced Loads
Flicker
Harmonics

Voltage Instability

Interruptions
Reactive Power
Sags and swells
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Flicker
A fluctuation in system voltage that can lead to noticeable changes in light output.
Voltage Flicker can also affect power-processing equipment such as UPS systems and
power electronic devices. Slowly fluctuating periodic flickers, in the 0.5 30.0Hz
range, are considered to be noticeable by humans
The main sources of flicker are industrial loads exhibiting continuous and rapid
variations in the load current magnitude. This type of loads includes electric arc
furnaces in the steel industry, welding machines, large induction motors, and wind
power generators.
Voltage flicker can become a significant problem for power distributors when large
motor loads are introduced in remote locations. Installation of a series capacitor in
the feeder strengthens the network and allows such load to be connected to existing
lines, avoiding more significant investment in new substations or new distribution
lines.
STATCOM is an effective method used to attack the problem of flicker. it is necessary
to continuously measure and compensate rapid changes by means of extremely fast
reactive power compensation. STATCOM uses voltage source converters offering
superior voltage flicker mitigation due to fast response time
Technology / System: Series capacitor, STATCOM
Benefits:
Reduced voltage fluctuations (flicker)
Improved voltage profile along the line
Easier starting of large motors and Self-regulation

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Harmonics
Harmonics create many concerns for utilities and customers alike. Typical
phenomena include neutral circuit overloading in three phase circuits, motor and
transformer overheating, metering inaccuracies and control system malfunctions.
Harmonic Filters may be used to mitigate, and in some cases, eliminate problems
created by power system harmonics
Installing filters near the harmonic sources can effectively reduce harmonics.
These filters consist of capacitor banks with suitable tuning reactors and damping
resistors. For small and medium size loads, active filters, based on power
electronic converters with high switching frequency, may be a more attractive
solution.

Technology / System: Harmonic Filters

Benefits:
Eliminates harmonics
Improved Power Factor
Reduced Transmission Losses
Increased Transmission Capability
Improved Voltage Control
Improved Power Quality

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Reactive Power
In distribution and industrial systems, it is common to
use shunt capacitors to compensate for the highly
inductive loads, thus achieving reduced delivery
Technology / System: Harmonic Filters, Shunt
capacitors
Benefits:
Increased power factor at the utility source
Improved voltage control
Improved voltage regulation and reactive power
balance
Self-regulation
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Unbalanced Loads
The traction system is a major source of unbalanced loads.
Electrification of railways, as an economically attractive and
environmentally friendly investment in infrastructure, has
introduced an unbalanced and heavy distorted load on the
three-phase transmission grid. Without compensation, this
would result in significant unbalanced voltage affecting most
neighboring utility customers. The SVC can elegantly be used to
counteract the unbalances and mitigate the harmonics
Technology / System: SVC

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Benefits:
Voltage Balancing
Harmonic Filtering
Power Factor Correction
Other applications:
Power Quality Improvement, Flicker Mitigation
Grid Voltage Support
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Voltage Instability
Long high-voltage transmission lines and relatively short cable
lines (since a power cable has high capacitance to earth) generate
a large amount of reactive power during light power transfer
conditions which must be absorbed by compensation.
Otherwise, the receiving terminals of the transmission lines will
exhibit a voltage rise characteristic and many types of power
equipment cannot withstand such overvoltages. The primary
purpose of the shunt reactor is to compensate for capacitive
charging voltage, a phenomenon getting more prominent for
increasing line voltage.
A better fine tuning of the reactive power can be made by the use of
a tap changer in the shunt reactor. It can be possible to vary the
reactive power between 50 to 100 % of the needed power.

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Security of power supply

Use of advanced system protection schemes
Enhancement of communication and
monitoring
Use of HVDC and FACTS to control load flow
and to prevent voltage collapse
Use of hybrid interconnections with HVDC
and FACTS to improve system reliability
Implementation of HVDC as firewall against
cascading events
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Sustainability of power supply

Generation

Transmission

Distribution

Increase in
efficiency

Reduction of
transmission
losses

Reduction in
distribution
losses

Use of
Avoidance of
regenerative
loop flows
energy sources

Power factor
correction

Use of energy
mix for base
&peak load
demands

Use of power
electronics

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Use of power
electronics

32

Impetus for HVDC power

transmission
Long distance AC undersea cable power transmission not possible
Power supply to islands not possible
Ocean located wind forms to shore difficult
Water power resources far away from load centres
AC systems operating asynchronously can not share power
Long distance DC overhead lines save one conductor that offsets the
cost of terminal equipments if the distance is long enough
DC links can help stabilize AC systems
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Worldwide installed capacity of

HVDC links

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Role of HVDC and FACTS

HVDC
Control ac voltage V &
Power flow P (dynamic Q

P = V1 V2
------------ Sin (1- 2) + P HVDC
X12
SVC & STATCOM
( Boost or control ac voltage )
Dynamic reactive reserve
Parallel Compensation

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SC & TCSC
(Boost voltage V,
Reduce line reactance X)
Limited by voltage profile
Series Compensation

Phase shifting Xmrs

Regulate phase angle
Limited by MVA &
angular range
Load Flow Control

35

FACTS Devices
SVC

- Static Var Compensator (Standard for

Parallel Compensation)
STATCOM - Static Synchr. Compensator (Fast
SVC, Flicker Compensation)
FSC
- Fixed Series Compensation
TCSC
- Thyristor Controlled Series
Compensation
GPFC
- Grid Power Flow Controller (FACTSB2B)
UPFC
- Unified Power Flow Controller

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Basic Configurations of FACTS

Devices
FSC

SVC/ STATCOM

TCSC

GPFC/UPFC

Special FACTS devices are UPFC and GPFC.

UPFC combines a shunt connected STATCOM with a series connected STATCOM,
which can exchange energy via a coupling capacitor.
GPFC is a DC back-to-backlink, which is designed for power and fast voltage control
at both terminals. In this way,GPFC is a FACTS Back-to-Back, which is less
complex than the UPFC at lower costs.
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Use of power electronics for

HVDC & FACTS
More dynamics for better power Quality
Use of power electronic circuits for control of
P,V and Q
Parallel and/or series connection of converters
Fast AC/DC and DC/AC conversion

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Power handling capacity Vs

Frequency
Power
Potencial (W)

SCR
GTO

10M
1M
100k

IGBT
MOSFET

10k
1k
60 100 1k 10k 100 k 1M
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Frequency (Hz)
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Suspended Thyristor Based

Quadruple Valves making a
12- Pulse Converter rated
500kV

Courtesy - Siemens

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IGBT Valves +/- 150kV, 530 MW

Courtesy ABB

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HVDC Transmission System

Smoothing reactor
DC Line

AC Grid 1

Y-Y
DC Filter

Y-Y

Y-

Y-Y

Y-

Y-

AC Filter

Y-Y

DC Filter

DC Line

AC Filter

Y-

AC Grid 2

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HVDC SYSTEMS
Current Source Converter: HVDC Classic
(Conventional HVDC)

Thyristor-based converter
Phase angle control
Current control

Terminals demand reactive power

Reactive power balance by shunt bank
switching

Voltage Source Converter :

IGBT based converters

PWM control
Voltage control

ABB: Light HVDC, Siemens: HVDC Plus

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Problems with Conventional

HVDC Systems

1 Sensitivity to commutation failure

2 Consumption of reactive power
Solution:

Capacitor-Commutated Converter - CCC

Id

Rd

AC Grid 1
Vdr

AC Grid 2
Vdi

This system is used in Garabi connection with Argentina

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49

HVDC BASED ON LCI

12/29/16

The AC system has to have high short

circuit ratio
There are low frequency harmonic
generation
The converters need reactive power for
normal operation
Reactive compensation by switched filters
and shunt capacitor banks
Thyristor valves
No black start
50

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Latest HVDC Technology

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53

HVDC BASED ON VSC

Voltage Source Converter:
IGBT or IGCT based converters
PWM control
Voltage control
Advantages:
Does not need reactive power or even power
source
Can use PWM control and does not generate
harmonics
Black start is possible
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54

HVDC BASED ON VSC Basic

Configuration
Vd

CF

AC
Grid 1

AC
Grid 2

PWM control in both sides eliminates harmonic problems

AC grid can be a weak system and reactive power can be
controlled by the converters

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Control of VSC based HVDC

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HVDC BASED ON VSC Short

Circuit
Vd

CF

AC
Grid 1

AC
Grid 2

If a short circuit happens in the DC side the diodes

will keep supplying current. An AC circuit breaker has
to protect the converter.

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If a short circuit happens in the DC transmission

line
the reactors have to limit the current until the AC
side
circuit breaker operates.

58

HVDC BASED ON VSC Control

Vd

CF

AC
Grid 1

AC
Grid 2

If Converter 1 controls P1, Converter 2 should

control the DC voltage and P1 will be equal to P2.
(Or vice-versa)

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Q1 and Q2 can be controlled independently both

with capacitive or inductive characteristics.

59

HVDC BASED ON VSC PWM

Control
- Sinus-triangle PWM can be used but it may
produce high losses;

- During transients better to use sinus-triangle method

vcontro

vtri

t
(1/fS)
v
d

- A small percentage
of 3rd harmonic can
be added to the
reference voltage to
increase
fundamental
component and use
better the converter.

vo1
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Main Components of a DC Link

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Main Components of a DC Link

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Main Components of a DC Link

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HVDC Control & Protection

Systems

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Emergency Power Control

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HVDC Control & Protection

Systems

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HVDC Control & Protection

Systems

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HVDC Control & Protection

Systems

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Network effects of a DC Link

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Advantages of HV DC
Transmission
Greater power per conductor.
Simpler line construction.
Ground return can be used; hence each
conductor can be operated as an independent
circuit.
No charging current.
No skin effect.
Cables can be worked at a higher voltage
gradient.
Line power factor is always unity; line does not
require reactive compensation.
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Advantages of HV DC
Transmission (contd)

12/29/16

Less corona loss and radio interference, especially in

foul weather, for a certain conductor diameter and rms voltage.
Synchronous operation is not required; hence distance is not the
criteria for stability.
May interconnect ac systems of different frequencies.
Low short-circuit current on dc line.
Does not contribute to short-circuit current of AC system.
Tie-line power is easily controlled.
Stability is not a limiting factor in power transmission
The lines can be loaded more economically up to thermal limit
Ground or sea can be used as a return conductor

73

Benefits of DC Transmission

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Examples

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Disadvantages of HV DC
Transmission

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Key application areas of HVDC

transmission

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Future HVDC & FACTS

Technology Development
Neither HVDC nor FACTS are new technologies
HVDC has been around since the 1950s
FACTS (in the form of saturated-reactor SVCs) since
the early 1960s.
but both are experiencing strong growth today.
Power electronics will play an increasing role in our
lives
Most renewable energy sources require some form of
power electronics
HVDC in particular seems to be a technology whose
time has come
Technology Push
Market Pull
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The Future of HVDC

Evolution of thyristor size/ratings for LCC (classical)
HVDC
Establishment of VSC Technology
Use of IGBTs rather than thyristors
Emergence of newer semiconductor types
Higher transmission voltages
800kV (or even 1000kV?) for LCC HVDC
Higher DC currents
4000A now; 4500A planned for LCC HVDC
Off-shore wind farms
Both VSC and LCC solutions can be used
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Will Edison who blew the whistle

for DC ,be eventually proved
right???

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86

Thank You
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87