Benedikt Kurth, Sales Manager HVDC, Grid Systems, PCIM, Nuremberg, May 2015

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)

Key Enabler for Future Energy Systems
ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 1

Market drivers for HVDC transmission

Environmentally friendly grid expansion

ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 2

Integration of renewable energy

Remote hydro

Offshore wind

Solar power

Grid reinforcement

For increased trading

Share spinning reserves

To support intermittent renewable energy

HVDC Technologies
Applications

ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 3

Connecting remote generation

Interconnecting grids

Connecting offshore wind

Power from shore

DC links in AC grid

City-Center infeed

Connecting remote loads

HVDC Technologies
What is an HVDC transmission system?
Mass impregnated cables

Overhead lines
Two conductors

HVDC converter station

< 1,900 MW, Light

Extruded cables

Power / energy direction

Slide 4

Customers Grid

Customers Grid

HVDC converter station

< 1,900 MW, Light

ABB
June 15, 2015

HVDC converter station

> 300 MW, Classic
Customers Grid

Customers Grid

HVDC converter station

> 300 MW, Classic

HVDC Technologies
HVDC Classic

ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 5

Current source converters

Line-commutated thyristor valves

Requires 50% reactive compensation (35% HF)

Minimum short circuit capacity > 2 x converter rating

HVDC Technologies
HVDC Light

ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 6

Voltage source converters

Self-commutated IGBT valves

Requires no reactive power compensation (15% HF)

No minimum short circuit capacity, black start

HVDC Technologies
Transmission capacities
Udc in kV
1,100
800
700
HVDC Light
600 with Overhead Lines
HVDC Classic with Overhead Lines

500
400
300
200

HVDC
Light
with
extruded
cable

HVDC Classic
With mass impregnated cable

0
0
ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 7

1,000

2,000

3,000
4,000
Power in MW

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000 10,000

HVDC Technologies
Next development steps
HVDC Classic and HVDC Light
Higher reliability
Smaller footprint
Environmentally adapted
HVDC Classic
1,100 kV
HVDC Light
Higher ratings
Lower losses
More compact, particularly offshore
Multi terminal
Control features
DC grids

ABB
June 15, 2015

Slide 9