Lecture HVDC

Heaven’s Light Is Our Guide
Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Lecture_HVDC
Prepared by Subarto Kumar Ghosh
Assistant professor
Dept. of EEE, RUET
Reference: Power System Stability and Control by Prabha Kundur
History of HVDC system
1. The first commercial application of HVDC transmission was
between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland in 1954.
This system used mercury-arc valves and provided a 20 MW
underwater link of 90km.
2. With the advent of thyristor valve converters, the first HVDC system
using thyristor valves was the Eel River scheme commissioned in
1972, forming a 320 MW back-to-back dc interconnection between
the power systems of the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and
Quebec.
3. In North America, the total capacity of HVDC
links in 1987 was over 14,000 MW. There are
more links under construction.
Why HVDC Transmission?
Stability:
The power transfer in an ac line is dependent on the angle difference between the
voltage phasors at the two line ends. For a given power transfer level, this angle
increases with distance. The maximum power transfer is limited by the
considerations of steady state and transient stability. The power carrying capability
of an ac line is inversely proportional to transmission distance
whereas the power carrying ability of dc lines is unaffected by the distance of

transmission.
Voltage Control:
Voltage control in ac lines is complicated by line charging and voltage
drops. The maintenance of constant voltage at the two ends requires
reactive power control as the line loading is increased. The reactive
power requirements increase with line length.
Although dc converter stations require reactive power related to the
power transmitted, the dc line itself does not require any reactive
power. The steady-state charging currents in ac cables pose serious
problems and makes the break-even distance for cable transmission
around 50
kms.
Line compensation
Line compensation is necessary for long distance ac transmission to
overcome the problems of line charging and stability limitations. The
increase in power transfer and voltage control is possible through the use
of shunt inductors, series capacitors, Static Var Compensators (SVCs)
and, lately, the new generation Static Compensators (STATCOMs).
In the case of dc lines, such compensation is not needed.

Problems of AC Interconnection:
The interconnection of two power systems through ac ties requires the
automatic generation controllers of both systems to be coordinated using
tie line power and frequency signals. Even with coordinated control of
interconnected systems, the operation of ac ties can be problematic due
to:
1. The presence of large power oscillations which can lead to frequent
tripping,
2. Increase in fault level, and
3. Transmission of disturbances from one system to another system.
The fast controllability of power flow in dc lines eliminates all of the
above problems. Furthermore, the asynchronous interconnection of two
power systems can only be achieved with the use of dc links.
Ground Impedance:
In ac transmission, the existence of ground (zero sequence) current can
not be permitted in steady-state due to the high magnitude of ground
impedance which will not only affect efficient power transfer, but also
result in telephonic interference.
The ground impedance is negligible for dc currents
Problems of DC Transmission
The application of dc transmission is limited by factors such
as:
1. High cost of conversion equipment,
2. Inability to use transformers to alter voltage levels,
3. Generation of harmonics,
4. Requirement of reactive power for converter, and
5. Complexity of controls.
Applications of DC Transmission
Underground or underwater cables

In the case of long cable connections over the breakeven distance of
about 40-50 km, dc cable transmission system has a marked advantage
over ac cable connections.
An example of this type of application is the 180 MW Direct link
connection (2000) in Australia.
Long distance bulk power transmission
Bulk power transmission over long distances is an application
ideally suited for dc transmission and is more economical than
ac transmission whenever the breakeven distance is exceeded.
Examples of this type of application abound from the earlier
Pacific Intertie to the recent links in China and India.
HVDC links are used to enhance weak AC links by transmitting large amounts
of active power and facilitating fast controllability of the power flow, especially
when the existing networks have reached the limit of their short-circuit
capability.
Asynchronous interconnection of ac systems
In terms of an asynchronous interconnection between two ac systems, the

dc option reigns supreme.
Stabilization of power flows in integrated power system
In large interconnected systems, power flow in ac ties (particularly under
disturbance conditions) can be uncontrolled and lead to overloads and
stability problems thus endangering system security. Strategically placed
dc lines can overcome this problem due to the fast controllability of dc
power and provide much needed damping and timely overload capability.
The planning of dc transmission in such applications requires detailed
study to evaluate the benefits. Examples are the IPP link in the USA and
the Chandrapur-Padghe link in India.
Classification of HVDC Links
HVDC links may be broadly classified into the following categories:

• Monopolar links
• Bipolar links
• Homopolar links
It uses one conductor, usually of negative polarity. The return path is
provided by ground or water.
Instead of ground return, a metallic return may be used in situations where the
earth resistivity is too high or possible interference with underground/underwater
metallic structures is objectionable. The conductor forming the metallic return is
at low voltage.
In fig. 10.2 shows that It has two conductors, one positive and the other
negative. Each terminal has two converters of equal rated voltage,
connected in series on the dc side. The junctions between the converters
is grounded. Normally, the currents in the two poles are equal, and there
is no ground current. The two poles can operate independently. If one
pole is isolated due to a fault on its conductor, the other pole can operate
with ground and thus carry half the rated load or more by using the
overload capabilities of its converters and line.
The homopolar link, whose configuration is shown in Figure 10.3, has two Or
more conductors, all having the same polarity. Usually a negative polarity is
preferred because it causes less radio interference due to corona. The return path
for such a system is through ground.
When there is a fault on one conductor, the entire convener is available for
feeding the remaining conductor(s) which, having some overload capability, can
carry more than the normal power. In contrast, for a bipolar scheme reconnection
of the whole converter to one pole of the line is more complicated and usually not
feasible. Homopolar configuration offers an advantage in this regard in situations
where continuous ground current is acceptable.
The ground current can have side effects on gas or oil pipe lines that lie
With a few miles of the system electrodes. Pipelines act as conductors
for the ground current which can cause corrosion of the metal.
Therefore, configurations Using ground return may not always be
acceptable

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Heaven’s Light Is Our Guide

Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology

whereas the power carrying ability of dc lines is unaffected by the distance of

In the case of dc lines, such compensation is not needed.

Underground or underwater cables

In terms of an asynchronous interconnection between two ac systems, the

HVDC links may be broadly classified into the following categories:

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