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HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission)
Requirements of Selected Equipment in Asynchronous

Interconnections
The selected equipment must have the ability to enable

one interconnecting system to receive “black start”
support from the other interconnecting system
The equipment must be able to operate with no demand

of reactive power from the interconnecting systems.
This applies to both cases, when there is and when there
is not exchange of active power between the two
Donsión systems
The equipment must have the ability to prevent voltage

perturbations from propagating to the neighbouring
system in order to prevent conditions of voltage collapse
in that system
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

In the past, transmission systems were conservatively designed with

large stability margins and the then-available dynamic compensators,
... , were rarely required.
In recent years, energy, environment, right-of-way, and cost

problems delayed the construction of both generation facilities and
new transmission lines. This has necessitated a change in the
Donsión
traditional power system concepts and practices; better utilization of
existing power systems has become imperative.
L. Gyugyi "Power Electronics in Electric Utilities: Static Var Compensators",
Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 76, No. 4, April 1988.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Overhead AC transmission lines
Overhead AC transmission is the standard technology for electric power

Donsión transportation. Traditionally it was preferred over any other transmission
technology, especially in rural areas.
No other technology can compete with overhead AC transmission in terms
of cost. Technically and economically, overhead AC transmission provides
an advantageous solution.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Overhead AC transmission lines
However, because of political, social and environmental factors overhead

Donsión AC transmission is becoming less favorable. Conventional network
reinforcement projects face ever tougher sitting opposition. The permitting
process takes several years (ranging from 3 to 15 years).
In order to avoid protest from environmentalists and those who live along
the planned trajectory, it is recommended to inform the public about all issues
concerning the planning of the new transmission line. The visibility of
overhead lines is high.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

AC system
Subestations
Transmission lines
Production stations MV lines

Donsión (Generation)
Transformers
LV networks
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Underground AC cables
Underground AC cables do not suffer from the aforementioned

problems. The permitting process takes less time and social and
political resistance is less. These advantages come, however, at a cost.
The capital cost of underground lines is 3 to 20 times higher (in
€/MVA) than that of overhead lines. Especially at high voltages, the
cost difference is significant. Although there is a drive towards
invisibility of the grid, it is economically not interesting to underground
Donsión the entire grid.
S. Cole, D. Van Hertem, L. Meeus and R. Belmans “The influence of renewables and
international trade on investment decisions in the grid of the future”, International
Conference on Renewable Energy and Power Quality (ICREPQ’06), Palma de Mallorca
(Spain), April, 2006.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

A High-Voltage direct current (HVDC) system converts electrical current

from AC to DC at the transmitting end and from DC to AC at the receiving
end. Conventional HVDC is based on line commutated converters using
thyristors. It is a well-established technology and since its first commercial
introduction in 1954 (Sweden) more than 50 projects have been completed.
HVDC transmission is most advantageous for long distances, without
intermediate taps, and high amounts of energy, considering investments and
losses but also land use.
The world’s first commercial HVDC transmission link, was built in 1954
between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland, with a rating of 20
Donsión MW, 200 A and 100 kV.
Recently, ABB and Siemens started to build HVDC systems using
semiconductor switches (IGBT or MOSFET) and Pulse width modulation
(PWM). The capacity of a HVDC system with VSCs is about from 30 to 300
MW. Operating experience is limited but many new systems are being built
worldwide.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Donsión
HVDC-Converter-Station (ABB)
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Donsión
HVDC operating experience is limited but many new systems are being built worldwide.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC technology
The technology allows power flow control, an interesting feature

with respect to the discrepancies between contract paths and physical
flows. The investment cost of HVDC converter stations is higher than
the cost of AC substations. However, the cost of overhead lines or
cables, right-of-way costs and operating and maintenance costs are
lower with HVDC
. The longer the distance of the transmission, the more advantageous

Donsión HVDC is, compared to HVAC transmission. In specific cases such as
special requirements with regard to power flow control, limitations to
short-circuit current or stabilizing needs HVDC has additional
advantages over HVAC.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC technology
Typical thyristor valve

The HVDC transmission system are point-to-point configurations
where a large amount of energy is transmitted between two regions. The
Donsión
traditional HVDC system is built with line commutated current source
converters, based on thyristor valves. The operation of this converter
requires a voltage source like synchronous generators or synchronous
condensers in the AC networks at both ends. The current commutated
converter can not supply power to an AC system which has no local
generation. The control of this system requires fast communication
channels between the two stations.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Transformer Converter Smoothing

AC bus
reactor Transmission
cable
AC Filter. DC Filter
Control
System
HVDC system components

The most relevant components that comprise a HVDC system, are the
following:
Donsión • The thyristor or IGBT valves make the conversion from AC to DC and thus
are the main component of any HVDC converter.
• The converter transformers transform the voltage level of the AC busbar to
the required entry voltage level of the converter.
• The smoothing reactor, which main functions are: prevention of the
intermittent current, limitation of the DC fault currents and prevention of
resonance in the DC circuits.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Transformer Converter Smoothing
AC bus
reactor Transmission
cable
AC Filter. DC Filter
Control
System
HVDC system components

The AC harmonic filters, which have two main duties: To absorb harmonic
currents generated by the HVDC converter and to supply reactive power.
Donsión Also DC filters circuits have to be used. Beside active harmonic filters cab
be supplement to passive filters due to their better perfomance.
The surge arrester, which main task is to protect the equipment of over-
voltages.
DC transmission circuit, which include DC transmission line, cable, high
speed DC switches and earth electrode.
Control and protection,
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
H
T
S
ca
bl
es
Single-core HTS cable (Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.)

Donsión High temperature superconducting (HTS) materials exist for a long time.
Theoretically, superconducting materials could be used for almost all electric
equipment in the power grid. HTS cables have no electrical resistance. The
losses of the HTS cables are therefore significantly lower compared to
conventional cable. However, the cost to maintain operating temperature is
very high. Moreover, the capital cost of the superconducting materials and the
cryogenic equipment is also very high. From an ecological point of view, HTS
cables are more interesting than oil-filled or gas insulated cables. HTS cables
are environmentally friendly
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
VSC HVDC
A new development is DC transmission using voltage sourced

converters (VSC). The use of devices with controlled turn-on and
turn-off capability such as IGBTs offers interesting technical
advantages.
VSC HVDC provides full power control, both active and reactive. As
such, VSC HVDC is perfectly suited for the connection of intermittent
energy sources such as wind. Also black-start and energizing passive
Donsión AC systems become possible. Also, commutation failures do not
occur.
VSC stations can eliminate flicker and reduce harmonics in the AC

system. The better wave shape eliminates the need for large
switchable harmonic filters. As a consequence the footprint of the
converter stations is reduced. The losses in the voltage source
converters are however higher because of more frequent switching
operations and the higher voltage drop across the switching elements.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
VSC HVDC
The overall cost of VSC converter stations is higher than for LCC
stations, primarily due to technology costs. However, VSC HVDC
transmission is an emerging technology. Technical breakthroughs
and increased market introduction will push down the costs. This
will bring about a change in the cost function advantageous to VSC
HVDC technology.
VSC HVDC is an interesting alternative for high demand

applications such as supplying additional energy to weak networks or
Donsión connecting offshore wind parks. While traditional HVDC is most
cost-effective in the high power range, VSC HVDC is better for small
power applications. VSC technology is not yet suited for bulk power
transmission due to high costs associated with high voltage and
current ratings. It has been developed up to 550 MW, but this limit
increases fast.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

A Terminal Transmission B Terminal

line
MONOPOLAR SYSTEM:
Donsión
–One High Voltage conductor
–Current return through ground
–Comparatively low cost (Economical advantages).
–In some countries is not permitted due to the pipes
and underground metalic objects corrrosion.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Pole 1
Pole 2
A Terminal Transmission B Terminal
line
BIPOLAR SYSTEM:
Donsión –Two conductors, positive and negative polarity
–Mid point connected to ground
–Normal use, the current flow through the two High
Voltage conductors without use the ground current.
–Fault in one conductor of durinf maintenance, the system
can transmit almost the half power like monopolar system.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system design
In general, for to iniciate the design of a HVDC system are requiered basic
parameter such as:
Distance of transmission
Voltage levels
Temporary and continuous overload
Status of the network on the receiving end
Environmental requirements, etc
Donsión
For tendering purposes a conceptual design is done following a technical
specification or in close collaboration between the manufacturer and the
customer.
The final design and specifications are the result of the tendering and
negociations with the manufactures/suppliers.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system operation
The term operation denotes the continual activities that are aimed at
keeping the system availability at designed levels, modern HVDC links can
be operated remotely, in view of the semiconductor and microprocessor
based control system included. Modern HVDC system are designed to
operate completely unmanned. This feature is particularly important in
situations or countries where skilled people are few, and these few people
can operate several HVDC links from one central location.
Donsión
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system maintenance
Maintenance of HVDC system is comparable to those of high voltage

AC system. The high voltage equipment in converter stations is comparable
to the corresponding equipment in AC substations, and maintenance can be
executed in the similar way. Maintenance will focus on:
AC and DC filters
Smoothing reactors
Wall bushings
Donsión Valve-cooling equipment
Semiconductor valves
In all the above, adequate training and suport is provided by the supplier
during the installation, commissioning and initial operation period.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system maintenance
Normal routine maintenance of HVDC system is recommended to be

one week per year. In a bipolar system, one pole at a time is stopped during
the time required for the maintenance, and the othe pole can normally
continue to operate. Dependeing on the in-built overload capacity it can
take a part of the load of the pole under maintenance.
In addition, preventive maintenance shall be pursued so that the

equipment will achieve optimally balanced availability with regard to the
Donsión
costs of maintenance, operating disturbances and planned outages
D.M. Larruskain, I. Zamora, A.J. Mazón, O. Abarrategui, J. Monasterio “Transmission and

Distribution Networks: AC versus DC”. 9th Spanish Portuguese Congress on Electrical
Engineering ()CHLIE). Marbella (Spain), 30 of June to 2 of July, 2005.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Cost structure
8% 5% 20%
10%
14% 16%
10% 7% 10%
Valves Converter transformers

CA filters Control
Other equipment Civil works, buildings
Engineering Erection, Comissioning
Freight, insurance
Donsión
The cost of a HVDC transmission system depends on mamy factors, such
as: power capacity to be transmitted, type of transmission medium,
environmental conditions and other safety, regulatory requirements, options
for optimal design (different commutation techniques, variety of filters,
transformers) etc, make difficult to give a cost figure for a HVDC system.
Nevertheless, a typical cost structure for the cnverter station can be shown in
the figure.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
General Characteristics
Cost (M€)
900
Total AC cost
800
700 Total DC cost

600
Losses
500
400 Losses
DC line cost .
300
200
Donsión AC line cost
100 DC terminal cost
0 AC terminal cost
Distance
(km)
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
HVAC-HVDC cost
24/08/2007
VIGO (Spain)
1) Investment cost. A HVDC transmission line costs less than an AC line

for the same transmission capacity. However, the terminal stations are
more expensive in the HVDC case due to the fact that they must
perform the conversion from AC to DC and viceversa. On the other
hand, the costs of transmission medium (overhead lines and cables),
land acquisition/righ-of-way costs sometimes are lower in the HVDC
case. Moreover, the operation and maintenance costs are lower in the
HVDC case. Initial loss levels are higher in the HVDC system, but they
do not vary with distance in a high voltage AC system.
Above a certain distance, the so called “break-even-distance”, the
Donsión
HVDC alternative will always give the lowest cost. The break-even-
distance is much smaller for submarine cables (typically about 50 km)
than for an overhead line transmission. The distance depends on several
factors, as transmission medium, different local aspects (permits, cost of
local labour, etc) and an analysis must be made for each individual case.
24/08/2007
2) Long distance water crossing. In a long AC cable transmission, the

reactive power flow due to the large cable capacitance will limit the
maximum transmission distance. With HVDC there is no such
limitation. Then for long cable links HVDC is the only viable technical
alternative.
3) Lower losses. An optimized HVDC transmission line has lower losses
than AC lines for the same power capacity. The losses in the converter
stations have of course to be added, but since they are only about 0.6 %
of the transmission power in each station, the total HVDC transmission
losses come out lower than the AC losses in practically all cases. HVDC
Donsión
cables also have lower losses than AC cables.
4) Asynchronous connection. It is sometimes difficult or impossible to
connect two AC networks due to stability reasons. In such cases HVDC
is the only way to make an exchange of power between the two
networks possible. There are also HVDC links between networks with
differents nominal frequencies (50 and 60 Hz) in Japan and South
America.
24/08/2007
5) Controllability. One of the fundamental advantages with HVDC is that
it is very easy to control the active power in the link.
6) Limit short circuit currents. A HVDC transmission does not

contribute to the short circuit current of the interconnected AC system.
7) Environment. Improved energy transmission possibilities contribute to

a more efficient utilization of existing power plants. The land coverage
Donsión
and the associated righ-of-waycost for HVDC overhead transmission
line is not as high as for AC line. This reduce the visual impact. It is
also possible to increase the power transmission capacity for existing
righ of way. There are, however, some environmental issues which must
be considered for converter stations, such as: audible noise, visual
impact, electromagnetic compatibility and use of ground or sea return
path in monopolar operation.
24/08/2007
Transmission:
LOCATION PARÁMETERS CHOICE REASONS
Itaipú, 600MW, ±600kV -distance
Brasil 1984 785km + 805km -convertion 50/60Hz
Leyte – Luzón, 440 MW, 350kV -underwater transmission
Filipinas 1994 430km + 21km
Rihand-Delhi, 1500MW, ±500kV -distance
India 1990 814km -estability
Gotland, 50MW, ±80kV -Environmental aspect
Suecia 1999 70km -Power quality supply
Donsión
TransÉnergie, 180MVA (3x 50MW) -Environmental aspect
Australia 2000 ±80kV -Supply for short time
65km
Distribution:
Gothenburg (Sweden): LV. Office suply
DC Distribution – Industrial power systems
- U.S.A navy. Harbour electric power
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Donsión
Back-to-back, 36 MW, ±138 kV HVDC-VSC tie located at Eagle Pass

substation. Used for export/import of electrical energy between AEP-TCC
in Texas and CFE, Mexico
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC-VSC at Piedras Negras – Eagle Pass uses IGBT-

based converters, which switch at 1260 Hz (mf = 1260/60 =
21)
It connects the 138 kV grids of CFE and AEP-TCC. It consists
of two 36 MVA VSCs
PWM harmonics are generated at: ( )
fh = βmf ±κ f1
The 3rd harmonic is also
β Harmonic order
significant
1 19, 21, 23
2 39, 41, 43, 45 The 207th harmonic
Donsión
3 59, 61, 63, 65, 67
varied between 13% and
40% of the power
4 81, 83, 85, 87 frequency voltage,
… … depending on the
10 207, 209, 211, 213 operation of the BtB and
… …
phase angle between the
two inverters
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Future trends
HVDC technology will play an important role in the coming decades due
to the availability of new high-power semiconductors with fast switching
capabilities that allow extremely compact installations. Important
breakthroughs in HVDC technology are resulting in the HVDC system
approach beginning to be applied to the distribution grid levels. Hence,
within the next few years the economical power range of HVDC systems is
expected to fall to just a few MW, and to voltage levels typical of the MV
distribution grid.
Untill now, AC/DC converter technology has been too expensive for
Donsión routine use in utility MV distribution systems. Technical innovations are
changing this situation and making the replacement of even a typical 50-Hz
MV/LV distribution transformer in the lower power range (100 kW to 2
MW per unit) by a high-frequency switched ‘electronic transformer’
economically feasible. The power electronic based transformer can operate
either off an AC MV input (three-phase or single-phase) or a DC MV input.
The system enables load balancing and guarantees low harmonic current
distortion.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Small distributed
Generation units
Future trends
Donsión
MV distribution grid with DC subsystms (LV abd MV grid)

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)
Future trends
Voltage dips or even complete short-time outages on the MV side can be

bridged without any problems using available DC-link capacitors. For
longer outages, local controllable resources can be connected directly to DC
link.
Moreover, MV and LV distribution networks benefit in several ways
from greater use of DC links superimposed on the tradirional AC MV
distribution grid:
Local LV DC distribution networks can supply power direct to DC
processes or power electronic systems with a DC link.
Donsión The trasnfer of disturbances between MV distribution grids is drastically
reduced when an MV DC link is used.
Superimposed MV DC links allow efficient integration and high levels of
power for large and widely spread distributed generation schemes.
Superimposed MV DC links in conjunction with appropriate power flow
control provide high power quality for large regions and better itilization of
the MV distribution grid.
24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

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HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission)

Requirements of Selected Equipment in Asynchronous

The selected equipment must have the ability to enable

The equipment must be able to operate with no demand

The equipment must have the ability to prevent voltage

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

In the past, transmission systems were conservatively designed with

In recent years, energy, environment, right-of-way, and cost

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Overhead AC transmission lines

Overhead AC transmission is the standard technology for electric power

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Overhead AC transmission lines

However, because of political, social and environmental factors overhead

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Production stations MV lines

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Underground AC cables do not suffer from the aforementioned

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

A High-Voltage direct current (HVDC) system converts electrical current

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC technology

The technology allows power flow control, an interesting feature

. The longer the distance of the transmission, the more advantageous

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC technology

Typical thyristor valve

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

Transformer Converter Smoothing

HVDC system components

HVDC system components

Single-core HTS cable (Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.)

A new development is DC transmission using voltage sourced

VSC stations can eliminate flicker and reduce harmonics in the AC

VSC HVDC is an interesting alternative for high demand

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

A Terminal Transmission B Terminal

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system design

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system operation

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system maintenance

Maintenance of HVDC system is comparable to those of high voltage

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

HVDC system maintenance

Normal routine maintenance of HVDC system is recommended to be

In addition, preventive maintenance shall be pursued so that the

D.M. Larruskain, I. Zamora, A.J. Mazón, O. Abarrategui, J. Monasterio “Transmission and

Valves Converter transformers

700 Total DC cost

1) Investment cost. A HVDC transmission line costs less than an AC line

2) Long distance water crossing. In a long AC cable transmission, the

6) Limit short circuit currents. A HVDC transmission does not

7) Environment. Improved energy transmission possibilities contribute to

Back-to-back, 36 MW, ±138 kV HVDC-VSC tie located at Eagle Pass

24/08/2007 VIGO (Spain)

The HVDC-VSC at Piedras Negras – Eagle Pass uses IGBT-

MV distribution grid with DC subsystms (LV abd MV grid)