1

Design and operation of EHV transmission lines

including long insulated cable and overhead
sections
L. Colla, F. M. Gatta, F. Iliceto, Life Fellow, IEEE and S. Lauria, Member, IEEE

Abstract Application of EHV lines formed by series

connected overhead sections and XLPE-insulated cables sections
is planned in various projects in Europe.
At first the maximum feasible length of 380kV-50Hz and of
500kV-60Hz XLPE cable lines is calculated as a function of the
power carrying capacity derating due to charging current. Then
shunt compensation and optimal voltage-reactive power control
are analysed with use of shunt reactors with tapped windings and
on-load tap changer for regulation of Mvar output.
The authors ATP-EMTP electromagnetic transient analysis
of the long mixed EHV lines has revealed the risk of sustained
overvoltages due to resonance on 3rd harmonics. The
phenomenon is described and countermeasures are proposed.
The feasibility of the single-pole high speed reclosure of mixed
EHV lines is analysed, and means for limitation of the secondary
arc current are examined.
A protection scheme is proposed for fast selective detection of
faults and for implementation of the single-pole reclosure only in
the cases of 1--to-Gr faults in the overhead sections of mixed
EHV lines.
Index TermsCable ampacity, EHV AC cables, mixed
overhead-cable lines, shunt compensation, voltage and reactive
power control, overvoltages, resonance, single-pole reclosure.

I. INTRODUCTION

N most of the European countries the congestion of the

infrastructures and the strong demand of conservation of the
environment by the population and by the local and central
public administrations, make very difficult the construction of
new overhead lines. Use of long stretches of EHV
underground cables is therefore considered also in non-urban
areas.
The growing economic integration of the member countries
of the European Union requires an increase of the transfer
capacity of roads, railways, EHV transmission lines,
telecommunications, pipelines, etc.. Where the inter-country
borders are at high altitude in mountainous regions, the
construction of long new motorway or railway tunnels is
considered, usually provided with a service/safety tunnel
which can accommodate also EHV cable lines. Such tunnel
projects and the associated 380kV cable lines (generally,

The authors are with the Department of Electrical Engineering, University

of Rome La Sapienza Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy (e-mail:
francesco.iliceto@uniroma1.it).

double circuits) are considered between Spain and France

(35km), between France and Italy (54 or 65km) and between
Austria and Italy (60km).
On the other hand, the crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)
insulation technology is considered mature and reliable for the
EHV cables up to 500kV AC, as confirmed by various urban
380kV and 500kV cable lines in successful operation
throughout the world. XLPE cables are simpler, less
expensive and have a lower electrostatic capacitance than the
paper oil filled insulated cables that for many decades had
been the only available reliable technology for HV and EHV
AC.
The scope of this paper is to analyse the main design and
operational features of the EHV (380-500kV), 50 and 60Hz
transmission lines, consisting of series solidly connected long
sections of XLPE insulated cables and overhead line, as may
be used in the above outlined projects. These lines will be
referred to in the following as mixed lines.
Authors analyses address the main special features and
phenomena which diversify the planning, analysis and
operation of the mixed lines from the so far applied
conventional EHV overhead lines and from urban EHV cable
lines of moderate length.
As well known, the charging current and capacitive
reactive power of long EHV AC cables adds vectorially to the
load current and power, and reduces their active power
carrying capacity at the thermal limit in a measure increasing
with length of cables, operation voltage and frequency. At
first the feasible lengths at the thermal limit are determined, in
particular for the 380kV-50Hz cables and 500kV-60Hz
cables, for various cross sections of conductors and typical
cable laying conditions.
The steady state operation criteria are analysed, covering
the optimal shunt compensation and controls of reactive
power flows and voltages along the long mixed lines.
The ATP-EMTP analysis of the electromagnetic transients
addresses particularly the risk of resonance on harmonics of
low (3rd) order, a phenomenon not encountered with the EHV
overhead lines. The feasibility of the single-pole high-speed
reclosure (SPHSR), is also analysed with the ATP-EMTP
program and ad hoc teleprotection schemes are proposed for
implementing the SPHSR only in the cases of 1--to-Gr faults
occurring in the overhead line section.

II. LIMIT LENGTH OF 380kV-500kV XLPE INSULATED CABLE

LINES

The straightforward operating criterion of long EHVAC

cable lines at their thermal limit, enabling the maximum
possible active power transfer for a given cable length,
consists in enforcing the equality of the reactive power flows
at the two cable terminals. In other words the target is
enforcing about unity p.f. operation at cable midlength. This
concept could apply also to the individual stretches of a cable
line compensated at intermediate locations along its route.
Given the cable characteristics and the desired receivingend continuous active power transfer, this concept can be used
to calculate the allowed maximum cable length at the thermal
limit (MCLTL). To this aim the analysis of reactive power
flows and of voltage profile can be made for the lossless cable
line of Fig. 1.
V

Sending
Netw.

EHV cable line

PS = Sz
Q S = Sz 12

V mx

VS

IS

VR
IR

I min
QS

Q=0

QR

0
N=S z

Receiv.
Netw.

N=P

N=S z

PR = Sz
QR= Sz 1 2

Fig. 1- Single-line diagram of a EHV lossless cable line, and applied

constraints: Sz: apparent power at rated voltage and thermal limit of the cable

The above definition leads (see [1] and Appendix A) to the

following simple but meaningful expression for the MCLTL
of the lossless line:
VS2
2
2 Z Sz 1
1

MCLTL = arctg c 4
VS
k

2
Sz

Z c2

C, respectively. Charging power at 400kV is 12 Mvar/km.

Two different values of the transmitted active power,
PR=0.9SZ (Cases 1-3) and PR=0.95SZ (cases 4-6) and three
values of carrying capacity, SZ, have been considered. The
MCLTL calculated with formula (1) and a realistic cable
spacing 0.5m, is up to 91 km for =0.90 and up to 63 km for
=0.95.

l=MCLTL
Fig. 2 Voltage profile, reactive and active power flows along a lossless
MCLTL EHV cable line

If the 380kV-50Hz XLPE cables have Cu conductors of

1600 mm2 and the same laying and operation conditions, the
MCLTL is found to be up to 81 km for =0.9 and up to 58 km
for =0.95.
TABLE I - MCLTL OF 380kV-50Hz CABLES WITH SCu=2500mm2
Zc
X1
QS
Case InterSIL
PR MCLTL
SZ

N phase
and
QR
Dist. /km MVA
MW
km
MVA
m
MVAR
1 0.35 0.177 1101 48.5 3299 0.9 991
480
86.6
2 0.50 0.200 1140 51.5 3107 0.9 1026
497
91.2
3 1.00 0.243 1225 56.8 2817 0.9 1103
533
99.5
4 0.35 0.177 1101 48.5 3299 0.95 1046
344
63.0
5 0.50 0.200 1140 51.5 3107 0.95 1083
356
66.7
6 1.00 0.243 1225 56.8 2817 0.95 1164
382
73.1

(1)

where:
- VS is the sending end voltage;
- Sz is the apparent power at rated voltage and thermal limit;
- is the derating, in p.u., of active power flow at cable
ends with reference to power at cable midpoint; is also
the power factor at cable ends: =PR/Sz;
- Zc is the surge impedance of the cable line;
- k is the transmission constant of the cable line.
The reactive power outgoing from the cable line is equally
shared between the cable ends, both loaded at S=Sz.
In Fig. 2 the voltage, current and power profiles along the
line are plotted for a cable line length equal to the MCLTL.
Active power losses, although not nil as assumed, are in
reality small.
As regards voltage constraints, with the same lossless
approximation, MCLTL operation involves equal terminal
cable voltages.
In Table I, the MCLTL values calculated with equation (1)
are reported for 380kV-50 Hz XLPE cable lines equipped
with 2500mm2 Cu conductors, directly buried at 1.5 m, in flat
formation; soil thermal resistivity has been taken at 1.2
Cm/W; conductor and ground temperatures are 90 C and 25

(VS=400 kV; C1=240 nF/km)

The analysis has been extended to the 500kV-60Hz XLPE

cable lines. These are commercially available with the same
conductor sizes of 380kV cables, i.e. up to 2500 mm2 Cu.
However, on an equal conductor basis, 500kV-60Hz cables
bring along tighter restrictions. The thicker XLPE insulation
causes lower ampacity and lower capacitance per unit length.
The latter effect is, however, largely offset by the combined
effect of the higher operating frequency1 and voltage, so that
the overall capacitive reactive power generated by a 500kV60Hz cable is almost the double of that of a 380kV-50Hz
cable of same length. For the considered 500kV-60Hz cable,
at full load, it is about 20 Mvar/km.
Table II provides the MCLTL of 500kV-60Hz XLPE cable
lines with 2500 mm2 Cu conductors in the same laying and
operation conditions assumed for the 380kV-50Hz cable lines.
1

The increase of longitudinal inductive reactance has little overall impact.

A realistic spacing (0.5 m) of 500kV-60Hz cables allows

MCLTL up to 63 km for =0.9, and up to 45 km for =0.95.
For 500kV-XLPE cables with 1600mm2 Cu conductor, in the
same laying and operation conditions, MCLTL is found to be
up to 57 km for =0.9 and up to 41 km for =0.95.
TABLE II - MCLTL OF 500kV-60Hz CABLES WITH SCu=2500mm2
X1
Zc
SIL
PR MCLTL
Case InterSZ
QS

and
N phase
QR
Dist. /km MVA
MW
km
MVA
m
MVAR
1 0.35 0.207 1432 51.1 5394 0.9 1290
624
60.3
2 0.50 0.236 1482 54.6 5048 0.9 1335
646
63.1
3 1.00 0.286 1593 60.1 4586 0.9 1435
694
69.7
4 0.35 0.207 1432 51.1 5394 0.95 1360
447
43.6
5 0.50 0.236 1482 54.6 5048 0.95 1410
462
45.8
6 1.00 0.286 1593 60.1 4586 0.95 1515
497
50.8
(VS=525 kV; C1=210 nF/km)

In practice, the control of parameter at same value at the

two ends, in particular in the international interconnection
lines, may be not precisely achieved in operation, with a
consequential erosion of the above reported MCLTL values.
III. STEADY-STATE OPERATION OF MIXED LINES. CASE STUDIES
To enforce the desired reactive power flow distribution at
the cable ends, the inductive shunt compensation required at
both ends of long cable lines should be provided with some
regulation capability. An EHV shunt reactor with a tapped
winding and an on-load tap changer [5], can vary the reactive
power absorption in a wide range, from 55-60% to 100% of
Qn, in discrete but rather small steps (e.g. each step equal to
2.5% of Qn). These tapped windings variable output shunt
reactors (TWVO-SRs) can be an attractive and cost-effective
solution for steady-state reactive power and voltage control.
The local voltage regulation capability thus gained can be
used to control the reactive power flow along the cables.
A control algorithm for one TWVO-SR at a time, using
only voltage and power measurements at the reactors
locations [1] can be applied to the simplified mixed
overhead-underground 500 kV-60 Hz transmission line shown
in Fig. 3, where A1 and A2 are two overhead line stretches, C
is the 500 kV cable line some tens of kilometers long. The
latter requires shunt compensation at both ends of the cable,
i.e. at the overhead/cable interfacing stations.
Q1
1
[Send]
(E1, I1)

Q2
A1

Q4

(E2, I2)
XSR2

(E3, I3)
QSR2

Q5
A2

(E4, I4)
XSR4

P5
[Rec]
(E5, I5)

QSR4

Fig. 3 Single-line diagram of a shunt compensated mixed line

It is assumed that TWVO-SRs are used in regulation mode

one at a time: with fixed shunt compensation at one end of the
cable, say, node 2 in Fig. 3, the reactor at the other end is
adjusted in order to establish equal reactive power flows out
of the cable (Q2=-Q4), i.e. to have:
Q20 +Q2 = (Q40 +Q4),

(2)

where Q20 and Q40 are the reactive powers flowing out of the

cable prior to the regulation and Q2, Q4 are variations thereof.

For small variations, an accurate linear relationship
between the changes in TWVO-SRs power, QSR2 and QSR4,
and reactive power flows can be found (see [1] and Appendix
B), i.e.:
Q2=k24QSR4,

Q4=k44QSR4

(3)

And, lastly, the desired regulation QSR4 for the reactor in

busbar 4 can be obtained:
QSR4 = K4(Q20+Q40)

(4)

The above concept can be extended to any reactive power

flow along the mixed line, as well as applied to several
TWVO-SRs at the same time. For the reactive power flow at
the generic section i of the Fig. 3 system, this yields:
Qi =ki2QSR2+ki4QSR4

(5)

Given the availability of two degrees of freedom, a couple

of conditions can be imposed on the reactive power flows, and
then a simple two-equation linear system in the unknowns
QSR2; QSR4 can be set up.
At full load, however, one of the constraints will always be
Q2= Q4. The other condition can involve the reactive power
flow at either end of the mixed line, say, Q1= Q10 or Q5= Q50
in Fig. 3. An application of the method is presented in the
following. Partial or no-load operation allows to eliminate
condition (2), so that the control action can be focused on the
reactive power exchanges between the mixed line and the
connected networks, up to the regulation capability of the
TWVO-SRs.
Let us consider the mixed 500kV-60Hz line of Fig. 3,
where line stretches lengths are LA1=20 km, LC =40km (close
to the MCLTL value found for a 2500mm2 Cu-XLPE cable
buried with 35 cm spacing, SZ=1432 MVA and =0.95, see
Case 4 of Table I) and LA2=140 km; the receiving-end power,
P5, is 1360 MW. The interconnected systems can be reduced
to two ideal voltage sources of the desired amplitudes, phaseshifted to have the desired active power flow at the receiving
end of the mixed line. Line constants are reported in Table III.
TABLE III TEST SYSTEM DATA
OHL A1
Cable C
OHL A2
r1 [/km]
0.0174
0.0126
0.0174
x1 [/km]
0.365
0.207
0.365
c1 [nF/km]
12.0
210.0
12.0
0.0
0.053
0.0
g1 [S/km]
(cable cross-section: 2500 mm2; overhead line equipped with twin bundle
ACSR Chukar conductors, 2902 mm2)

In Fig. 4-a, with U1=525 kV, U5=500 KV and P5=1350

MW, two different steady-state operations are compared:
fixed-type shunt reactors, rated 2200 Mvar at 525 kV at each
end of the cable, and TWVO-SRs, rated at 2225 Mvar at 525
kV, regulated in range 125-225 Mvar to have equal reactive
power flows at the cable ends. With fixed compensation
(curves labeled QSR2=400 Mvar, QSR4=400 Mvar in Fig. 4-a)
plots show a large reactive power flow unbalance along the
cable; a quantitative assessment of the current unbalance at the
cable terminals is provided in Fig. 5-a.

4
3

a)

P5 = 1360 MW
QSR2 = 400 Mvar
QSR4 = 400 Mvar

527
524

525

518

210

515

105

512

509

-105

U (kV)

315

b)

-315

500

-420

526

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

d (km)

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

b)

P5 = 680 MW
QSR2 = 450 Mvar
QSR4 = 405 Mvar

525
524

340

170
85

521

520

-85

519

-170

518

525.00.0

c)

-255

P5 = 0 MW
QSR2 = 450 Mvar
QSR4 = 450 Mvar

-340
-425

515

-510
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

(1.665 kA)

1372
-204

1368
592

(400)

524.0-2.1

1372
-8

522.7-4.5

(1.576 kA)

(1.576 kA)

1372
-407

1368
406

(400)

500.0-19.9 kV

1368 1350
-3
204
(400)

MW
Mvar

500.0-19.7 kV

1368 1350
262
58
(145)

MW
Mvar

524.3-2.1

522.7-4.4

500.0-19.7 kV

255

522

516

1372
190

516.8-4.4

(1.536 kA)

425

523

517

1374
17

521.2-2.1

200

Q (Mvar)

U (kV)

1374
216

525.00.0

-210

P5 = 1360 MW
QSR2 = 400 Mvar
QSR4 = 145 Mvar

503

a)

420

521

506

525.00.0

630

Q (Mvar)

530

150

160

170

180

190

200

d (km)

Fig. 4 Voltage profiles (fine lines) and reactive power flows (heavy lines) for
the Fig.3 system: a) with 1360 MW power flow; b) with 680 MW power flow
and at no-load.

Application of the control algorithm to the TWVO-SRs

installed at node 4 (curves labeled QSR2=400 Mvar, QSR4=145
Mvar in Fig. 4-a) gives the desired reactive power profile
along the cable; the attendant steady-state is given in Fig. 5-b.
The plots of Fig. 4-b show that the Mvar control by
TWVO-SR warrants satisfactory operation of the mixed line
also at 50% of load and at no-load.
Fig. 5-a (corresponding to the lighter curves of Fig. 4) refers
to the fully compensated line, with 2200 Mvar (rated power
at 525 kV) of shunt reactors installed at each intermediate
station; it can not be operated with the intended limit power
transfer of 1360 MW, due to the unbalance of reactive power
flow along the cable and the ensuing cable overload near the
receiving end (i.e. I>Iz in the last 11 km of cable).
Fig. 5-b shows the effect of the adjustment of TWVO-SRs
in node 4, according to the described control algorithm
(QSR4=145 Mvar); reactors in node 2 are unchanged
(QSR2=400 Mvar). The reactive power flows at the cable ends
are symmetrical so that the cable ampacity can be fully
exploited. Figure 5-c depicts the application of the general
control algorithm, involving simultaneous regulation of
TWVO-SRs at both intermediate stations, i.e aimed at
enforcing two distinct reactive power constraints. At full load
one constraint must always be Q2 = Q4; in Fig. 5-c the
second constraint is Q1=0.
IV. ANALYSIS OF SWITCHING OVERVOLTAGES AND OF SINGLEPHASE HIGH-SPEED RECLOSURE OF MIXED EHV LINES
IV.1 Case studies and modelling
The following switching electromagnetic transients have

1374
-1

1372
-26

(1.575 kA)

(1.576 kA)

1372
-405

1368
408

(380)

1368 1350 MW
265
61 Mvar

(145)

Fig. 5 Voltages, active and reactive power flows of analysed 20-40-140 km,
500 kV-60Hz mixed line: a) with 2200 Mvar shunt reactors at each
intermediate station; b) as case a), with optimum shunt compensation at
node 4; c) as case b), with adjustments to yield Q1=0 Mvar.

been analysed with the ATP-EMTP- Alternative Transient

Program for various mixed lines:
No-load energization
Load rejection at receiving end
Single-phase high-speed reclosure (SPHSR)
Special phenomena, in particular harmonic resonance.
The results are reported here for the following significant
case studies:
a. A mixed long 380kV-50Hz line consisting of a singlecircuit overhead line of 200km, a XLPE insulated cable
line of 60km with about 100% shunt compensation and an
overhead single-circuit line of 10km, as shown in Fig. 6-a.
This is a preliminary scheme of one of the cross border
380kV cable lines under study for installation in a railway
tunnel, for strengthening the transmission capacity across
the Alpes. EHV shunt reactors cannot be installed inside
the tunnel, for reason of safety (risk of fire).
b. The 380kV-50Hz mixed XLPE insulated cable-overhead
line, shown in Fig. 6-b, consisting of two cable sections of
13.1 and 9.4 km without shunt compensation. At the time
of writing, this line is under construction in Turkey
between the 380kV substations of Ikitelli and Alibekoy. It
will cross diametrically the metropolitan area of Istanbul.
The 380kV overhead sections of mixed lines and the
adjacent lines have been simulated as uniformly distributed
lines, with frequency dependent parameters to take into account
skin effect in the ground and in phase conductors.
The 60 km-380kV cable section of the mixed line of Fig. 6a has been simulated with a cascade of 555m long circuits.
The shorter cable sections of the mixed line of Fig. 6-b, have
been simulated with 110m long circuits, in cascade.
Simulation of adjacent 380kV overhead lines with frequencydependent uniformly distributed parameters, has been

performed one busbar behind where the adjacent lines are

long, as in the case of Fig. 6-a, and two busbars behind where
the adjacent lines are short, as in the case of Fig. 6-b.

overhead
line
10 Km
SA

a)
380kV
Psc=
12530
MVA

b)

IKITELLI

tunnel cables
60 Km
2X200
2X200
MVAR
MVAR

overhead line
200 Km
SA

YILDIZTEPE

DAVUTPASA

underground cables
13.1km
3x2000sqmm Cu
154kV

underground cables
9.4km
3x2000sqmm Cu

400
MVA

ALIBEYKOY

overhead line
4km
3x547sqmm ACSR

220
kV

380kV
Psc=
12055
MVA

4x250MVA

4x250MVA

154kV 34.5kV
2x250MVA
2x125MVA

154kV

Fig. 6 Simulated 380kV mixed lines for electromagnetic transient analysis.

a) 60 km of tunnel cables between a 200 km and a 10 km overhead lines.
b) 13.1 km + 9.4 km of underground cables + 4 km of overhead line in
Istanbul (Turkey).

Generators have been simulated with a constant e.m.f.

behind the subtransient reactance. Loads have been simulated
with linear impedances. Metal oxide surge arresters (SAs)
with rated voltage of 360kV, have been simulated with their
v-i characteristic in the cases where SAs intervene to limit the
switching overvoltages. SAs are assumed to be connected to
the EHV cable terminals and to the shunt reactors and
autotransformers terminals.
Saturation of magnetic iron cores has been simulated with
typical values of the air-core reactance: 30% for the gapped
core of 380kV shunt reactors; 60% and 50% for the core of
autotransformers on their 380kV and 220kV terminals,
respectively. As the frequency dependency of the iron losses has
been neglected, the calculated overvoltages are slightly
overestimated.
Analysis has shown that the short circuit power, Psc, of the
380kV network at the terminals busses of the mixed line,
markedly affects the temporary and switching overvoltages
when the cable line section is very long. For the mixed line of
Fig. 6-a, with cable length of 60km, Psc has thus been
400kV Network
Psc=600020000
MVA

overhead line

considered a variable parameter, keeping also in mind that the

values of Psc may largely differ at the terminals of the various
long tunnel cables under investigation and, on the other hand,
of the fact that Psc may considerably vary in a specific busbars
according to system operation conditions.
IV.2 No-load energization of long shunt compensated mixed
lines. Harmonic resonance.
It is known that the resonance natural frequencies in
transmission networks composed of overhead lines, as seen
from a bus, are in general quite high. The equivalent
impedance is inductive, of increasing value for frequencies
usually up to at least 300-400Hz. The behavior is substantially
different in presence of very long EHV shunt compensated
cables, whose large concentrated capacitance causes rather
low resonance frequencies of the network, in some cases in
proximity of the third harmonic frequency.
Analysis has shown that the no-load energization of a
mixed line as the one of Fig.6-a can initiate temporary
overvoltages causing SAs to operate during many cycles.
Transformers and shunt reactors subjected to high
overvoltages saturate and significantly affect system
overvoltages. The consequential large increase of the
magnetizing current causes a large generation of harmonics,
superimposed on the fundamental and DC components. High
harmonic distortion and overvoltages then build-up if the
network is resonant at such harmonic excitation.
A physical explanation of the phenomenon is provided by
the analysis of the simplified equivalent circuits of the mixed
line of Fig.6-a, assumed to be lossless, with a shunt
compensation performed by 2x200Mvar shunt reactors at each
cable terminal, i.e. slightly over 100%.
The line (see Fig.7-a) is assumed to be energized from
busbar A and open-ended at busbar D. The positive-sequence
circuit at network frequency of 50 Hz is shown in Fig. 7-b1.
The equivalent impedance seen from busbar B (Fig. 7-b2) is
capacitive and very high (-j2368) and does not cause large
overvoltages at 50Hz.
C

cables in tunnel

10km - 3x585sqmm ACSR per phase

overhead line

200km - 3x585sqmm ACSR per phase

60km - 3x2500sqmm Cu
2x200MVAR

2x200MVAR

a
Xsc

B'

B'

c1

161

C'

D'

(Xsc + 2)

C'

33

b1

A'

A'

3 x Xsc

b2
(3 Xsc + 8)

D'

B'

150Hz

c2

B'

Fig.7 Equivalent circuits of the mixed line of Fig.6-a, assumed to be lossless: a) single-line diagram; b) positive sequence circuit at 50Hz; c) positive sequence
circuit at 150Hz

The positive-sequence circuit at the 3rd harmonic frequency

of 150Hz shown in Fig. 7-c1, has an equivalent impedance,
seen by the busbar B (Fig 7-c2) that is capacitive and very low
(X1=-j46 ) and is resonant with the equivalent impedance of
a supply network with Psc=11400MVA, by assuming that
X150Hz=3Xsc; (Xsc=V2/Psc)+).
In the parallel resonance conditions at 150Hz in busbar B
as per Fig. 7-c2, the large 3rd harmonic current liable to be
generated by the saturation of one or two phases of the shunt
reactors (and/or transformers) connected to busbar B at the
moment of energization, cannot circulate in the network.
Consequently, a large 3rd harmonic voltage distortion will
build-up at busbar B, causing the circulation of an additional,
opposite, 3rd harmonic current which cancels out the one due
to saturation. This explains the possible build-up of large
overvoltages contributed by the 3rd harmonic distortion at the
cable terminals.
The ATP-EMTP analysis performed for the system of
Fig.6-a has confirmed the possible build-up of the above
described phenomenon caused by the saturation of a phase of
one or more shunt reactors and/or transformers.
Low R/X networks, such as in proximity of large power
generators, contribute to sustained overvoltages, especially at
no-load, since losses are rather low.
The positive-sequence impedances of the system of the
mixed line at no-load have been calculated at bus B. Their
variation as a function of frequency is shown in Fig. 8.

span of the three poles of the line circuit breaker (CB). A

uniform distribution for the closing times has been simulated,
with a maximum time discrepancy between first and last pole
to close of 5ms. The maximum energization overvoltage at
bus D, calculated with one shunt reactor assumed to be not
connected at bus B, i.e. with a cable shunt compensation of
83%, is plotted for phase T in Fig. 9. This overvoltage is of
long duration (as long as the inrush currents), its time decay
being inversely dependent on shunt reactor and system losses.
In addition to the voltage stresses imposed on the shunt
reactor, these temporary overvoltages may stress protective
equipment; energy in SAs may exceed their dissipation
capacity.
800
[kV]
600
400
200
0
-200
-400
-600
-800
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

[s ]

1.0

Fig.9 Phase-to-Gr overvoltage in T phase at bus D for the no-load energization

from bus A. SAs connected at cable terminals are simulated.

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis (Fig. 10) shows that

the phase-to-ground overvoltages are due mainly to the 3rd
harmonic components, as a result of the resonance of the
supply system with the mixed line. Resonance is excited by
shunt reactors saturation at the instant of switching-on. Energy
dissipation in SAs is shown in Fig. 11.

5000
[ ]
4000

3000

2000

1000

400
0

200

400

600

800

[H z ] 1 0 0 0

200
[ ]
150

[kV]
250

100
50

100

0
-5 0
-1 0 0

-50

-1 5 0
-2 0 0

200

400

600

800

[H z ]

1000

Fig. 8 Positive-sequence phase impedances, in magnitude and phase,

calculated at bus B of the 380kV network of Fig.6-a, open circuited at bus D,
versus frequency.

Because of the time dependence of the saturation

phenomenon, a statistic study has been run, with 1000 no-load
energizations from either line end. A statistical distribution
was determined to check the influence of the closing time
+)

In reality, also the zero-sequence and negative sequence networks are

involved in the phenomenon and, on the other hand, X150Hz may be somewhat
less than 3Xsc due to the effect of line shunt capacitances. Then the Psc value
for which resonance occurs at 3rd harmonic may differ somewhat from the
value calculated with the simplifications assumed in Fig.7.

10

15
harmonic order

20

25

30

Fig.10 FFT analysis of the overvoltage of Fig. 9 (initial time 0.6s, final time
0.62s)

In order to eliminate the risk of resonance or to rapidly

damp the oscillations on low order harmonics, one of the
following measures can be applied:
Warrant that the short circuit power at the energizing
busbar can not have values liable to cause resonance.
Restriction of energization of the mixed line from one of
the two interconnected networks can facilitate compliance
with this condition.
Specify shunt reactors to remain linear (i.e. do not
saturate) up to a voltage level as identified with the ATP-

EMTP analysis. This level is found to be 1.5 p.u. for the

studied mixed line of Fig. 6-a. If TWVO-SRs are used,
saturation can be avoided by a partialization of Mvar
output prior to energization, i.e a reduction of operation
flux density in the core.
In any case, all the transformers and autotransformers
should be disconnected from the mixed line prior to
energization.

P3.0
[MJ]

300
[A]
200

phase S

2.5

successful reclosure.
Install a line CB in the interfacing station between the long
overhead line and cable sections, to limit the open phase
only to the overhead line section.
Use a fast closing grounding switch.
Equip the EHV shunt reactors with neutral reactors.
Mixed lines including short cable sections do not have
problems for the SPHSR, except the protection problem dealt
with in par. V.

2.0

No special means for secondary arc reduction

100

phase T

1.5

-100
1.0

-200

0.5

-300

phase R

Temporary reinsertion of the shunt reactors

-400
0.0
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

[s]

1.0

Fig.11 Energy dissipation in SAs connected at bus C, during no-load

energization of the 380kV mixed line of Fig.6-a

IV.3 1--to-Gr short circuit and SPHSR

A parametric analysis has been performed for various
mixed lines, including the ones of Fig. 6. The 1--to-Gr short
circuits have been simulated at various locations along the
mixed lines, by varying statistically over one cycle the fault
ignition and SPHSR instants, with a uniforms statistical
distribution.
Analyses have shown that the fault ignition and SPHSR
overvoltages are moderate (2.2 p.u.) and quickly damped as
in conventional EHV lines, also in the case of the long mixed
line of Fig. 6.a.
Although cables have a high capacitance, their capacitive
coupling contribution to the secondary arc current, Isa, is nil,
because the -to- partial capacitances are nil. On the other
hand, a large contribution to Isa can be caused by the
electromagnetic coupling between the two energized phases
and the open phase, owing to the charging currents flow in
long line sections of the mixed line, if cable shunt
compensation is low at the moment of the 1--to-Gr fault due
to use of part of cable charging power in the overhead lines
and interconnected networks.
The analysis performed for the mixed line of Fig. 6.a has
shown that Isa can exceed 130Arms, namely in case of high
power flow in the line with reduced shunt compensation of the
cables. This value of Isa is much higher than the limit value of
about 40Arms that is considered by experience to be consistent
with the successful SPHSR of 400-500kV lines.
In order to reduce Isa below 40Arms, the following measures
can be applied for a long mixed EHV line as the one of Fig. 6-a:
Switch-on automatically all the shunt reactors of faulty
phase during the dead time before the SPHSR. These
reactors are switched off shortly after (say, 2-3) the

-500
0.22

0.24

0.26

0.28

0.30

0.32

0.34

[s]

0.36

Fig.12 Secondary arc current, Isa, in case of 1--to-Gr near bus D (see Fig. 6-a),
with shunt compensation at cable ends of 0Mvar-200Mvar and power flow of
1100MW. Dotted line: no special means for secondary arc current reduction;
Continuous line: temporary insertion of all the shunt reactors on the faulty
phase.

V. PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND HIGH-SPEED RECLOSURE OF

EHV MIXED LINES
The single-phase high-speed reclosure (SPHSR) of EHV
overhead lines is common practice in Europe and in many
countries of the other continents, because the vast majority of
line faults (90-95%) are 1--to-Gr and these are mostly (order
of 90%) transient faults, i.e. liable to self-clearing with the
SPHSR.
Faults rates of the HV and EHV cables are by an order of
magnitude lower than in overhead lines, however are
permanent faults. The high-speed reclosure must therefore be
prevented, because it is useless and in order to avoid
overheating of cable metallic sheaths and overstressing of
equipment, due to repeated short circuits. The protection
relays installed at the terminals of mixed EHV lines must
therefore fastly and selectively detect the type and location of
fault and initiate the SPHSR only in case of 1--to-Gr fault in
the overhead line sections.
Figure 13 shows typical single-line diagrams of the
interfacing stations between an overhead and a cable line
section.
The scheme of Fig. 13-a is applicable for moderate cable
length, not requiring shunt compensation at the cable
terminals. The scheme of Fig. 13-c, with one or two shunt
reactors at the interfacing station and with shunt reactor and
line CBs, is appropriate when both the cable and overhead line
sections are very long. When the line CB is present in the
interfacing station, the cable and overhead line are separately

protected; then the SPHSR is easily applied to the overhead

line only.
Protection schemes are proposed here for the interfacing
single-line diagrams of Figs. 13-a and b, where line CBs are
installed only at the two terminal substations of the whole
mixed EHV line.
Grounding
disconnector
Disconnector
Surge
Arrester

a)

b)

Airgap
Current
Transformer
Voltage
Transformer
Cable terminal
(with capacitive
VT)

c)

Shunt reactor w/
bushing CTs
Circuit breaker

Fig. 13 Typical single-line diagrams of interfacing stations between overhead

and cable lines

The monitoring of the short circuit current flowing at the

terminals of the various sections of a mixed EHV line does
not permit the fault location as usual in MV radial lines,
because the EHV mixed lines are usually part of a meshed
grid. On the other hand, the selective location of faulty section
by means of the reactance or impedance measurement is not
sufficiently precise and reliable, owing also to the low series
impedance of cable lines and to the large diversity of the
electrical constants of EHV overhead and cable lines.
The protection of mixed EHV (330-380-500kV) lines
consisting of a cable section interposed between two overhead
line sections, as analysed in par. II, can be implemented with
the scheme herebelow proposed (Fig. 14):
A

B
OHL 1

C
CABLE

f1

OHL 2

Fig. 14 Single-line diagram of a mixed EHV line (A-B-C-D) to be protected

The mixed line, between substations A and D, where line

CBs are installed, is protected with the usual distance
relays applied with the directional comparison
teleprotection, preferably the permissive overreaching
transfer tripping scheme set to about 150% of line
impedance. This protection must initiate the line tripping
in 3-phase when it detects a multiphase fault. In the cases
of the most frequent 1--to-Gr faults, the protection must
trip only the faulty phase at both the ends of mixed line
and initiate the SPHSR with a delay of 2-3.
The mixed line should be provided with a 2nd main
protection, as usual in EHV lines, which can be a 2nd
directional comparison teleprotection scheme using
distance relays. However, if a wide-band reliable
telecommunication channel is available between the

terminals A and D, consisting of fibre optics or

microwaves, it is appropriate to use as 2nd main protection,
a differential protection scheme, which ensures a more
reliable selective detection of the faulty phase for the
SPHSR and a very fast fault clearing.
The EHV cable section should be provided with an
additional differential protection scheme supplied by
current transformers at the cable terminals (B and C in Fig.
14), to be implemented with digital relays intercoupled via
a dedicated fibre optic cable laid along the EHV cables. If
fault (of whatever type) is internal to the cable section (f1
in Fig. 14), the differential protection must initiate the fast
transmission of signals from station B to A and from
station C to D, respectively, which will block the SPHSR
and trip in 3-phase the CBs at both the ends of the mixed
line (i.e. open also the non-faulty phases if one phase has
already been tripped out by the local teleprotections).
These transfer tripping signals should be transmitted with
the normal telecommunication channels serving the
overhead lines (fibre optics, power line carrier,
microwaves, etc.).
The transfer signals from B and C (Fig. 14) will reach A
and D, respectively, with a delay of the order of one cycle
from the initiation instant by the cable differential protection.
The latter will therefore perform the fast clearing of cable
faults even in case of delayed operation of the distance relays
at the terminal of mixed line in the 2nd or 3rd zone.
Overheating of cable metallic sheaths is then avoided.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The maximum cable length at the thermal limit (MCLTL)
of EHV XLPE insulated cable lines is achieved by operation
with the same charging power outflow at the two cable
terminals, i.e. with about unit p.f. at mid point. With a
derating of 10% due to charging power, the MCLTL of
380kV-50Hz buried XLPE cables with Cu conductors of 1600
mm2 and 2500 mm2, is about 81 km and 91 km, respectively.
These MCLTL values are reduced to about 57 km and to
63km for 500kV-60Hz buried XLPE cables with Cu
conductors of 1600 mm2 and 2500 mm2, respectively.
A method is proposed for the optimal planning of shunt
compensation, and of voltage and reactive power control of
EHV mixed lines including long cable sections. A 500kV60Hz long mixed line is analysed as a case study and results
are presented.
A physical explanation and the ATP-EMTP analysis are
presented of a resonance phenomenon on 3rd harmonic liable
to cause sustained no-load energization overvoltages up to 2.4
p.u. in mixed EHV lines including cable sections with length
of some tens of km. Countermeasures to avoid the risk of such
resonances are presented in the paper.
Apart this resonance phenomenon, the switching and
temporary overvoltages of mixed EHV lines are found
consistent with the conventional insulation levels, if an
adequate compensation of cable charging reactive power is
applied.

Analysis of SPHSR of 380kV-500kV mixed lines

following the 1--to-Gr faults in overhead sections shows that
the secondary arc current, Isa, may exceed 100-150Arms.
Methods are recommended for lowering Isa to less than 40Arms
and making successful the SPHSR.
At last, a protection scheme of mixed EHV lines is
presented for the fast, selective detection of faults, for
implementing the high-speed reclosure only following the
faults occurring in the overhead line sections and, on the other
hand, to contain within about 100ms the duration of the short
circuit currents flow in the metallic sheath of the XLPE cables
in case of faults in the cable sections.
The performed studies confirm the feasibility of EHV
50Hz and 60Hz mixed lines, including long sections of XLPE
cables to be laid in motorway and railway tunnels. However
some efforts should be made by cable manufacturers, to adapt
the design, transport and laying techniques to cable route
lengths much exceeding the ones so far applied, in particular
for increasing the distance between cable joints.
VII. APPENDIXES
A. MCLTL calculation
With the symbols defined in par. II, the following
equations can be written at the cable ends:
VSVR

PR = PS = S z = B sin with < 1

VSVR
A

2
cos VR2
QR = S z 1 =
B
B

VSVR

2
2 A
QS = S z 1 = B cos VS B

( A.1)

The apparent power at sending end is always equal to Sz. If

=0, no reactive power is injected in the receiving network,
while if =1 the reactive power delivered at the receiving end
is such that the cable is loaded at thermal limit also at this
terminal.
With some algebraic manipulation the following expression
of the MCLTL can be derived from equations A.1:

1
MCLTL = arctg
k
VS4
2
2 Sz +
Z c

( A.2)
2

VS4
VS4 2
2
2
2
2 S z + 4 2 S z (1 )(1 )
Z
Z
c

VS2
S z 1 2 (1 2 )
Zc

If = 0 or = 1, expression A.2 simplifies to:

VS2
2
2 Z Sz 1
1
( A.3)
MCLTL =
arctg c 4
VS
(2 )k

S
z

Z c2

B. Control algorithm for the TWVO-SR

With the symbols defined in par. III, the desired operation
condition is Q20 +Q2 = (Q40 +Q4), where Q20 and Q40, are
the unregulated values and Q2 and Q4 are changes due to

reactor adjustments. With the sign conventions of Fig. 3, Q2

and Q4 are given by:

DV22
VV
sen( ) 2 4 sen( + 24 )
Q2 =
B
B

V
V
AV42
2
4
Q =
sen( 24 )
sen( )
4
B
B

(B.1)

where A, B, D refer to the two-port representation

of the cable; note that A=D. Substituting the values
E2=E20+E2, E4=E40+E4, and neglecting higher-order terms,
we find Q2 and Q4 as functions of E2 and E4:
Q2

3 A(2 E 20 E 2 )
3(E 20 E 4 + E 40 E 2 )
sen( )
sen( + 240 )
B
B

Q4

3(E 20 E 4 + E 40 E 2 )
3 A(2 E 40 E 4 )
sen( 240 )
sen( )
B
B
(B.2)

By combining (B.1) and (B.2) the following expression of

the sum of reactive powers variation as a function of the
voltage variations is arrived at:
Q4 + Q2 = 3c1 (E 20 E 2 E 40 E 4 ) 3c 2 (E 20 E 4 + E 40 E 2 )

(B.3)
Rearrangement of (B.3) yields:

(Q4 + Q2 ) =
= (c1 E 20 c 2 E 40 )3E 2 (c1 E 40 + c 2 E 20 )3E 4 ,

(B.4)

where the coefficients are:

c1 =

2 cos sen240
2 A sen( )
; c2 =
B
B

(B.5)

The change in voltage at node 4, E4, due to a change

XSR4 of the shunt reactance at node 4, is given by:
E 4 = Z 44 I Sh 4 =

Z 44
Z 44
E 40
E 40
jX SR 4
Z 44 + jX SR 4

(B.6)

To obtain (B.6) the assumption is made that the nodal

impedance Z44 is mainly inductive, i.e. Z44jX44 and moreover
that X44<<XSR4. By taking the absolute values:
E 4 X 44 I Sh 4

X 44 E 40
X 44
E 40 =
QSh 4 n
3E n
X Sh 4

(B.7)

with 40=E40/E; the change in shunt reactor power QSR4n is

referred to the rated voltage. The above expression can be also
used to calculate X44, if E40, E4 and QSR4 are known. The
expression of E2 as a function of QSR4 is found as:
Z 24
Z 24
E 40
E 40
Z 44 + jX SR 4
jX SR 4
X 24 E 40
X 24

E 40 =
QSR 4
3E n
X SR 4

E 2 = Z 24 I SR 4 =
E 2 X 24 I SR 4

(B.8)

By substituting (B.7) and the last of (B.8) into (B.4), the

desired expression for (Q4+Q2) is arrived at:

10

(Q4 + Q2 )
[(c 2 X 44 c1 X 24 )E 20 + (c1 X 44 + c 2 X 24 )E 40 ]E 40 Q SR 4 n

(B.9)

From (B.9) we have:

(Q4 + Q2 ) = (Q20 + Q40 )

1
QSR 4 n
K4

Q SR 4 n K 4 (Q20 + Q40 ) (B.10)

The K4 coefficient is finally given by:

K4 =

[(c

1
 + (c X + c X )E E
)
X

c
X
E
2
44
1
24
20
1
44
2
24
40
40

(B.11)

The desired operation condition, can be also obtained by

acting on the TWVO-SR at node 2, XSR2. The unknown is
now the change of rated reactive power QSR2n. Former results
still hold, but formulas (B.9) to (B.11) are replaced by:
E 2

X 22 E 20
QSR 2 ;
3E n

E 4

X 24 E 20
QSR 2
3E n

(B.12)

The expression sought for becomes:

(Q4 + Q2 )
[(c 2 X 24 c1 X 22 )E 20 + (c1 X 24 + c 2 X 22 )E 40 ]E 20 Q SR 2 n

(B.13)

In conclusion, we have:
QSR 2 n K 2 (Q20 + Q40 )

(B.14)

The K2 coefficient is:

K2 =

[(c

1
X 24 c1 X 22 )E 20 + (c1 X 24 + c 2 X 22 )E 40 E 20

(B.15)

VIII. REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

[3]

F. M. Gatta, S. Lauria, " Very long EHV cables and mixed overheadcable lines. Steady-state operation," accepted for presentation at 2005
IEEE St. Petersburg Power Tech Conference. June 26th-July 1st, 2005
UCTE. (2003, Dec.). First UCTE Comments on the Background Paper
Undergrounding of electricity lines in Europe. [Online]. Available:
http://www.ucte.org/pdf/Publications/Library/e-default_2004.asp
Commission of the European Communities. (2003, Dec.). Background
Paper Undergrounding of electricity lines in Europe. [Online]. Available:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/electricity/publications/index_en.htm

[4]
[5]

R. Arrighi, Operating characteristics of long links of AC insulated

cables, in Proc. CIGRE Genera1 Session 1986, Paper 21-13.
A. Babare, G. Bertagnolli, F. M. Gatta,, F. Iliceto, Design and
application of variable Mvar output shunt reactors with on load tapchanger. Operation experience in Africa, in Proc. CIGRE Genera1
Session 1998, Paper 12-308.

IX. BIOGRAPHIES
Francesco Iliceto (SM '71; F '85) was born in Padua (Italy) in 1932. He
received a doctor degree (Hons) in Electrical Engineering in 1956 from Padua
University. From 1956 to 1965 he worked with two power utilities, on the
design and construction of steam thermal power plants (Milan, Italy), of the
HVDC link between Sardinia and the Italian mainland and HVAC
transmission (Rome, Italy). In 1965 he received the Professor degree of Power
System Analysis from the Ministry of Education (Rome, Italy) and joined the
Faculty of Engineering of Rome University, where he has served as
Ordinarius Professor and Head of the Electrical Engineering Department until
2004. In 1966 and 1971 he was visiting professor in Sweden and in the USA.
Since 1968 he has been consultant to the Turkish Electricity Authority. In
this capacity, he contributed substantially to the planning, design and
operation of the EHV and HV systems of Turkey and interconnections with
neighbouring countries, up to the present stage, and to research.
Since 1977 he has been consultant to the Volta River Authority for
planning, design and operations of Ghana's national power system and
extensive rural electrification.
At the request of the World Bank, of the European Investment Bank, the
Inter American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank and of
National Electricity Corporations, he has served as technical consultant in
several other countries (Zaire, Portugal, Togo, Benin, Canada, Egypt, Burkina
Faso, Northern Cyprus, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, India, Costa Rica, Panama,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, Laos, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast,
Germany, Ethiopia, Finland, China, Mozambique, Russia, Italy).
His main fields of interest are EHVAC and EHVDC transmission, power
system analysis, power system planning and design, rural electrification with a
new low cost technology. He is author or co-author of more than 100 technical
papers and tutorial books (5 volumes). He has served as chairman or member
of various national and international Technical Committees.
Fabio Massimo Gatta was born in Alatri (Italy) in 1956. In 1981 he
received a doctor degree in Electrical Engineering from Rome University
(Hons). He then joined the Rome University's Department of Electrical
Engineering where he was appointed Researcher and in 1998 appointed
Associate Professor in Applied Electrical Engineering.
His main research interests are in the field of power system analysis, long
distance transmission, transient stability, temporary and transient
overvoltages, and series, shunt compensation, SSR, distributed generation.
Stefano Lauria (M' 99) was born in Rome, Italy, in 1969. He received the
master degree and the Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of
Rome "La Sapienza" in 1996 and in 2001, respectively. In 2000 he joined the
Department of Electrical Engineering of University of Rome "La Sapienza" as
a Researcher. His main research interests are in power systems analysis,
distributed generation, power quality and electromagnetic transients.
Luigi Colla was born in Marino, Italy, in 1980. He received the master
degree in electrical engineering from the University of Rome "La Sapienza" in
2004. He is currently working towards his Ph.D. in electrical engineering. His
main research interests are in power systems analysis, electromagnetic
transients and long distance transmission.