HVDC Transmission System

Electrical Engineering Seminar

September 2, 2008
14.00-16.00 Hrs. Faculty of Engineering
King Mongkuts University of Technology North Bangkok



Presented by
Nitus Voraphonpiput, Ph.D.
Engineer Level 8
Technical Analysis Foreign Power Purchase Agreement Branch
Power Purchase Agreement Division
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
2
Aims
To introduce basic concept of the
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
transmission systems.
To present applications and
technologies of the High Voltage
Direct Current (HVDC) transmission
systems.

3
Content
Introduction
Why uses HVDC?
Applications of HVDC
Future Trends
Conclusion

Introduction
5
Power transmission was started in the early
1880s using direct current (DC).

With the development of transformers, induction
motors and synchronous generators, the DC
transmission systems were replaced by AC
Transmission system.

Nowadays, due to successful development of
HV converters (rectifiers and inverters) based on
Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCR), the High
Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission
systems become an economic and attractive
technology.
Introduction
6
HVDC is the abbreviation of High Voltage
Direct Current.

Beginning of HVDC Transmission System
Marcel Deprez put his experiment (1881) to
practice in 1882. a 1.5 kW at 2 kV over a
distance of 35 miles was operated.
In 1889, R. Thury continued the D. Marcel work,
he used DC generators connected in series to
generate high voltage and sent 20 MW at 125
kV over a distance of 230 km (Moutiers-Lyon) in
France.

7
Part I: Mercury Arc Valve

The first commercial HVDC in Europe was Gotland in Sweden
(1954).
Cross Channel -1961; 160 MW, 64 km cable between England
and France (ASEA)
Volgorod Donbass - 1965; 720 MW, 470 km in Russia
Sardinia; 1967; 200 MW, 413 km between Sardinia and Italian
mainland (GEC England)
New Zealand 1965; 600 MW between the south and north
islands (ASEA)
Konti-Scan I 1965; 250 MW, 180 km between Sweden and
Denmark (ASEA)
Sakuma - 1965; 300 MW frequency converter in Japan (ASEA)
Vancouver I - 1968; 312 MW, 69 km between BC and Vancouver
island (ASEA)
Pacific HVDC Inter-tie 1970; 1440 WM, 1362 km overhead line
between Oregon and Los Angeles (JV between ASEA and GE)
8
Part II: Thyristor Valve

Gotland Extension 1970; Adding 50kV and 10 MW to the
Gotland scheme using thyristors (ASEA)
Eel River 1972; 320MW first all thyristor asynchronous link in
Canada (GE)
..(more than ten projects).
Haenam-Cheju 1993; +/- 180 kV, 300 MW, south Korea
(English Electric)
Baltic Cable Project 1994; 450 kV and 600 MW (Sweden
Germany)
Kontek HVDC Interconnection - 1995; 400 kV, 600 MW, Denmark
Scotland-N.Ireland 1996; 250 kV and 250 MW
Leyte-Luzum -1997; 400 kV; 1600 MW; 440 km, Philippines.
Chandrapur-Padghe 1997; +/- 500 kV; 1500 MW; 900 km, India
Greece-Italy 1997; 500 kV
EGAT-TNB 2001; 300kV and 300 MW, 110 km thyristors
(Siemens)

9

Main components of a HVDC transmission
Cooling
system
10
Main components of a HVDC transmission

Converter stations connected to the AC bus via
transformers.
Two-winding or three-winding transformers, in which
a 30 degrees phase shift is required between the
converter units because of the 12-pulse connection
selection of vector groups.
The on-load tap changer of the transformer
Filters and capacitor banks.
Converter bridges, usually two six-pulse bridges in
series, equipped with controls of their own enables
independent operation
Cooling system
11
Main components of a HVDC transmission

Firing pulses of the thyristors are usually passed via
optical fibers.
Control system.
Smoothing inductors (act as filters harmonics in DC
and limits the rate of current change.)
DC Filters (on overhead lines).
A cable or an overhead line as a transmission path
for the current passing through sea or earth, also
electrodes are required.
12
6-pulse Bridge Circuit
Thyristor valve
Components of the thyristor
modules
13
A Thyristor
valve
Thyristor
Module
2x 6-bridge
Symbol
Thyristor valves
EGAT-TNB HVDC 300 MW 300 kV
14
Y
Y
A
Converter Transformers
Transformer
EGAT-TNB HVDC 300 MW 300 kV
Converter Transformers
15
Switchyard, Capacitor Banks and AC Filters DC Tower and DC Line
EGAT-TNB HVDC 300 MW 300 kV
16
Smooth Inductor
(smoothing reactor)
DC Active Filter
EGAT-TNB HVDC 300 MW 300 kV
17

HVDC Transmission System (electrical system)
18
Electric Power Transmission
R
U U
P
d d 2
2
1
12

=
HVAC
HVDC
jX
R
E
S
E
R
U
d1
U
d2
( )
( )
R S
R S S
R S
R S
X
E E E
Q
X
E E
P
o o
o o

=
=
cos
sin
2
12
12
19
( ) I U P
I U P
R
U U
I
d
d
d d
=
=

=
.
.
2 2
1 1
2 1
Rectifier Inverter
+ U
R
-
AC
system
AC
system
Electric Power Transmission using HVDC
20
( ) MW A kV P
MW A kV P
A
kV kV kV
I
290 1000 . 290
300 1000 . 300
1000
10
10
10
290 300
2
1
= =
= =
=
O
=
O

=
( ) MW A kV P
MW A kV P
A
kV kV kV
I
580 2000 . 290
600 2000 . 310
2000
10
20
10
290 310
2
1
= =
= =
=
O
=
O

=
( ) ( )
( ) MW A kV P
MW A kV P
A
kV kV kV
I
300 1000 ). 300 (
290 1000 ). 290 (
1000
10
10
10
300 290
2
1
= =
= =
=
O
=
O

=
Electric Power Transmission using HVDC
21
Converter Operation
Voltage and current waveform of HVDC converters
22
30
V
I.cos|
I
I.sin|

30
866 . 0
2
) 25 15 cos( 15 cos
2
) cos( cos
cos
~
=
+ +
~
+ +
~
|
o o
|
Rectifier Operation of the 6-pulse bridge
converter
Assume o = 15 and = 25
The converter operates in rectifier
mode. It transmits active power
while consumes reactive power.
Converter Operation
23
145
V I.cos|
I
I.sin|

145
823 . 0
2
) 25 135 cos( 135 cos
2
) cos( cos
cos
~
=
+ +
~
+ +
~
|
o o
|
Inverter operation of the 6-pulse
bridge converter
Assume o = 135 and = 25
The converter operates in inverter
mode. It receives active power while
consumes reactive power.
Converter Operation
24
Alternatives for the implementation of a HVDC
transmission system

i) Mono-polar Configuration
ii) Bipolar Configuration
a) Earth Return
b) Metallic Return
iii) Homo-polar Configuration
25
Alternatives for the implementation of a HVDC
transmission system (continued)

26
This configuration can be
found as early as 1954, there
was no interest in its
commercial use until the 1990s
because the control and
protection equirements were
considered to be excessively
complex.
The first commercial
application, taken into full
service in June 2000, is a 1100
MW asynchronous back-to-
back link between Argentina
and Brazil
Source: Alstom
Capacitor Commutated Converter HVDC (CCC-HVDC)
Why uses HVDC?
28
Why uses HVDC?
The reasons that HVDC have been used
are:
1. An overhead DC transmission line with its
towers can be designed to be less costly per
unit of length.
2. It is not practical to consider AC cable
systems exceeding 50 km (due to capacitive
current charging of the cable).
3. Some AC electric power systems are not
synchronized to neighboring networks even
though their physical distances between
them is quite small.
(Interconnection problem)
29
Less cost/unit length
Source: Siemens and Jos Arrillagas book (1998)
30
300 km 300 km 300 km
900 km
HVDC
HVAC
Less cost/unit length
31 Source: ABB
Less cost/unit length
32
System Modeling for Line Loadability
Line model
Source: EPRI
Limitation of AC transmission line
33
Typical values of SIL
for overhead transmission lines
Rated
voltage
[kV]
Thermal
Limit [MW]
SIL
[MW]
230 400 135-145
345 1,200 325-425
500 2,600 850-1075
765 5,400 2,200-2,300
1100 24,000 5,200
Note: No series or shunt compensation
Constant line
voltage drop 5%
Steady state stability
limit (30% margin)
Source: EPRI
Thermal Limit
HVDC can utilize line up to
thermal limit.
Limitation of AC transmission line
34
Limitation of AC cable
General AC Cable Technologies
Pipe-type
Coated and protected steel pipe houses the cable
and dielectric fluid
Dielectric fluid is maintained under pressure
Insulation material is Kraft paper or laminated
paper-polypropylene
Self-contained, fluid-filled (SCFF)
Insulation impregnate is a low viscosity liquid
which must be maintained under pressure
internally
Conductor has central fluid duct
Extruded cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)
Solid dielectric insulation, no fluid, no pressurizing
plant
Limited applications above 230 kV to date
Source: ABB
35
1.SCFF for AC or DC 2.MI for DC
3.Single-core XLPE for AC 4.Three-core XLPE for
5.Extruded HVDC Light for DC 6.Extruded HVDC Light for DC
Source: ABB
36
Source: ABB
Limitation of AC cables
37
Source: ABB
HVDC can utilize cable up to thermal limit.
Limitation of AC cables
38
Limitation of AC Interconnection

It is impossible to connect two (or more)
different system frequencies via HVAC.

Without control center to take care off whole
system frequency, it is impossible to connect
two (or more) systems through HVAC event
their system frequencies are equal.

Difficult to control power flow between areas
without special equipment such as phase
shifting transformer.
But HVDC can overcome these problems.
Applications of
HVDC
40
Applications of HVDC
41
Emergency Frequency Control
When a large generator is
tripped, the system frequency falls down
over an acceptable level.
HVDC can rapidly increase or
reverse power flow direction to
compensate unbalance active power to
recover system frequency.
42
Automatic Frequency Control
When you require to improve frequency deviation in normal
operation and after large disturbances, application of Automatic
Frequency Control (AFC) function is recommended.
Source TMT&D, Japan
43
Power Swing Damping Control
The modulation control of the DC power improves power
swing stability and effectively dampes power oscillations. (this
function is not limited for HVDCHVAC line in parallel, but also
applies to HVDC linked between two AC networks.)
Source TMT&D, Japan
44
Starting Up the Generator
When an HVDC system is connected to the isolated
generator at the sending end, the system has to be started up in
coordination with the governor action of the generator. The bipoler
operation is available, overall transmitted power can be built up
smoothly from zero to the rated value by having two poles transmit
power in opposite directions.
Source TMT&D, Japan
45
Usage of HVDC in USA (same frequency)
46
Usage of HVDC in Japan (two different system frequencies)
Source: Toshiba
47
Usage of HVDC in India.
48
Usage of HVDC in China
49
Itaipu, Brazil
Brazil decided to build a HVDC transmission system from
Itaipuhydro power plant to SoPaulo to meet the rapidly growing
power demand in 1978. A 3150+3150 MW 600 kV HVDC power link
between Itaipu and SoPaulo brings power generated at 50 Hz (in
Itaipuhydropower plant) to the 60 Hz network in SoPaulo. This project
was commissioned in 1984-1987.
50
Qubec -New England, Canada -US
This project was commissioned in 1990-1992. It is a 2000 MW
450 kV multi-terminal HVDC power link.
The HVDC multi-terminal system brings power from La
Grande II hydro power station to loads in Montreal, Qubec, Canada
and to Boston, Massachusetts, USA
51
Baltic Cable, Sweden -Germany
A 600 MW 450 kV HVDC sea cable system links between
Germany and Sweden to enable further integrate power systems of
the Baltic Sea region. This project was commissioned in 1997 and it
is an economic exchange between a thermal power system and a
hydro/nuclear power system
52
Brazil -Argentina Interconnection
This project links Argentina (50 Hz) and Brazil (60 Hz) to utilize
their electricity resources more efficiently and cost effectively.
It providers import and export power to take advantage of
peaks demand between Brazils and Argentinas asynchronous
networks. It is a CCC-HVDC (2200 MW 140 kV (70 kV) back-to-back
system).
53
HVDC has been integrated. Because of long transmission
lines, the AC system experiences severe power oscillations after
systems faults, close to the stability limits. In first case, HVDC is
transmitting power in constant power mode (curve a). ,the power
oscillations occur. With daming control of HVDC, the oscillations are
damped very effectively (curve b). Without HVDC, e.g. with a fully
synchronous interconnection, such a large power system would be
unstable in case of fault contingencies, thus leading to blackout.
HVDC GuiGuang, China
54
Hokkaido-Honsyu HVDC (Japan)
Source: Toshiba
55
EGAT-TNB HVDC, Thailand
In 2003, a mono-polar 300 MW 300 kV HVDC transmission system
was installed between Thailand and Malaysia. This HVDC offers an
important option in economic operation of the Thailand power system. It
transfers economical energy between two countries. This HVDC provides
four enhanced stability functions for AC system. One of these is Power
Swing Damping (PSD) function. This function was designed to damp inter-
area oscillation on the tie transmission line linking Central system and
Southern system.
56
January 13, 2005, TNB experienced the separated system event
between the Northern part and the Southern part. It resulted in over-frequency
in the Northern part and low frequency in the Southern part due to over
generation (in north) and lower generation (in south) respectively. Frequency
Limit Control (FLC) function of the HVDC increased power into EGAT system
from 300 MW to 406 MW to stabilize frequency in TNB system.
TNB frequency
DC Power to EGAT
K ua h
M e la k a
Se re m ba n
Ge org e t own
K ot a
B ha ru
K u al a
T e re n g ga n u
Ip oh
K u an t a n
S ha h
A l a m
A lo r
Se t a r
K a n ga r
JOHOR
PAHANG
MELAKA
NEGERI SEMBILAN
SELANGOR
PERAK
KEDAH
PULAU PINANG
KELANTAN
TERENGGANU
PERLIS
WILAYAH
PERSEKUTUAN
L A N GKA W I
M E L A KA
B ER S IA
K EN E R IN G
T E M E N G OR
K EN Y I R
SG PI A H U P PE R
S G P IA H LO W E R
J O R
W OH
O D A K
C HE N DE R OH
P E R GA U
MAIN G RID IN
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
S
T
R
A
I
T
S

O
F

M
E
L
A
K
A
S
O
U
T
H

C
H
I
N
A

S
E
A
N
Lege nd
H y dro Po we r St a t i on
Th e rm a l P owe r St a t i on
St a t e Ca p it a l
Ex is t in g Pl a nn e d
5 0 0 k V Ov e rh ea d L in e
2 7 5 k V Ov e rh ea d L in e
2 7 5 k V C ab le
J o ho r
B a h ru
P RA I
GE L UGO R
S E GA R I
CON NA U GHT
B RI D GE
S E RD A NG
KA P AR
P OWE R T E K
P D
P OWE R
GE N T I NG
S AN Y E N
P ORT
D I C KS ON
Y T L
P A S I R
GUD A NG
P A KA
Y T L
Ay e r Ta wa r
B a t u Ga j a h
P ap a n
Ku a la K a ng s a r
Bu k it Ta m bu n
J u n ju ng
B uk it T en ga h
Gu run
B e do ng
K ot a Set ar
C hu pi ng
B uk i t T ar ek
K L ( N )
KL ( E )
H ic om G
K L ( S )
S a la k T in gg i
M el a k a
K g A wa h
Sc u da i
T el ok Ka lo ng
T an a h Me ra h
JA NA M AN JU NG
Ma jo r T N B Su bs t a t i on
Y A N
Y on g Pe ng ( N )
B u k it B a t u
S ed il i
L e ng ge n g
Yo ng Pe n g ( E)
3 0 0 k V H VD C L in e
EGAT-TNB HVDC, Malaysia
Future Trends
58
Source: ABB
59
Voltage-sourced converter based HVDC
systems are called HVDC Light (ABB) or
HVDC Plus (Siemens) become new trend of
HVDC due to
Converters do not require reactive power.
Suitable both for submarine and land cable
connections.
Advanced system features.
Small footprint (e.g. 550 MW): 120 x 50 x 11 meters.
Black Start Capability
Short delivery time.

60
Voltage-sourced converters (VSC) operate
with a smooth dc voltage provided by a
storage capacitor. The fast switching
capability of the IGBT allows to create a
pulse width modulated (PWM) AC voltage.

The converter can operate in 4 quadrants of the
active power and reactive power plane.
The commutation does not depend on the ac
network voltage. Thus it can connect to very weak
power systems.
The ac output voltage of the converter can be
changed extremely quickly.
61
However, the voltage and power ratings of
IGBTs are as yet far below those of
thyristors and so applications with voltage-
sourced converters are limited to low and
medium power.
The first commercial project was once more
commissioned on Gotland and taken into service in
November 1999. A power of 50 MW is transferred
through two underground cables of 70 km length at
a voltage level of 80 kV from the south of the
island to the north.
A similar installation (3X60 MW, 80 kV) was
commissioned and brought into operation in 2000
to connect the grids of Queensland and New South
Wales, Australia.
62
Power rating of
Switching devices
Source: ABB
63
Source: ABB
64
Source: ABB
65 Source: Siemens
Conclusion
67
Advantages of HVDC
DC lines can be loaded up to
the thermal limit.
Power flow control.
Does not increase the short-
circuit currents in the AC
network.
No capacitive charging
current on DC lines.
Ground or sea can be used
as a return conductor.
Fast control of power and
stabilizing of AC system.
N-1 criteria may not be
required.
Economic for long
transmission line and bulk
energy.
Interconnection between two
AC systems is possible.
Disadvantages of HVDC
Electric Field can cause a
problem to human.
Converter stations are
expensive and complex
arrangements when
compared with the stations
in an AC system.
Conventional Converters
(rectifier and inverter)
require reactive power.
Converters produce
harmonics both in the AC
network and the DC side.
In mono-polar links, the
return current passing
through ground causes
corrosion in metal objects.
Sensitive to fault in AC
network near converter.

68
Long
distance
over land
Long
distance
over sea
Inter-
connection
asynchronous
network
Wind
Turbine
connection
to network
Feed
a small
isolated
loads
HVDC
+ OH line

HVDC
+ Cable

CCC
B2B

CCC
+OH line

CCC
+ Cable

VSC
B2B

VSC
+ Cable

69
In emerging countries, power systems will
grow (very) fast. Because of reliability and
economic reasons. HVDC will play a
significant role in the future (such as China
and Indian).
Conventional HVDC still uses in power
system. It is a proven technology.
In future, VSC-HVDC and polyethylene DC
cables will made
Economic at lower power levels (down to 200 MW)
Economic at short distance (60 km).
70
Thank you



Questions and discussions are very welcome.