HVDC Transmission

HVDC Transmission

Introduction:

The HVDC transmission has staged a sort of comeback to the field

of electric power transmission over long distances. With recent technical
developments it has achieved considerable success. Transmission
beginning is with DC and generation was also with DC but was far less
than 25 kv. For higher voltage transmission AC transmission system is
than adopted.
Developments in the design of mercury arc rectifiers and silicon
controlled rectifiers have made EHV DC transmission more feasible and
attractive.
Stability problem puts limitation on AC transmission over longer
distances, with DC there is no such problem of stability. But either we
adopt AC transmission or DC transmission we have to see both technical
& economical problems. Earlier it was very difficult to make DC circuit
breakers, but now proto type DC breakers are available in Canada &
Japan.
In Japan there are two frequencies for the transmission. One is 50
Hz for one part and for another part of transmission 60 Hz is adopted.
First HVDC was of 96 km – 20MW.
In Canada it is possible to transmit the power more than 2000 MW
over 1000 km. But with long distance transmission the chances of
slipping of system increases, oscillations produces and the reliability of
the system reduces.
Control and protection of HVDC transmission is based on the
triggering of thyristor valves, also protection and control of HVDC
transmission system is more complex than EHV AC.

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 HVDC Transmission

Choice of HVDC Transmission

Introduction:
400 kv AC transmission lines were introduced in 1970’s. Two HVDC
transmission links are constructed in 1985 and about 10 HVDC transmission
links are commissioned and constructed in India by the year 2000.
HVDC transmission systems are selected as an alternative to EHV AC
transmission system due to the following reasons.

» For long distance high power transmission lines.

» For interconnection (tie lines) between two AC systems having their
own load frequency control.
» For back to back asynchronous tie sub stations- in these two AC
systems are interconnected by a converter sub station without any AC
transmission line in between. Such a tie link gives asynchronous
interconnection between two AC systems.
» For underground or submarine cable transmission over long distance
at high voltage.
At present 80 HVDC links have been installed in the world with a
total transfer capacity of 100,000 MW.
Actually any system is adopted on the basis of economy and technical
problems so for. Alternating current is used for generating transmission,
distribution and utilization of electrical energy.

HVDC Transmission Systems:

Applications of HVDC Transmission Systems:
In particular applications, high voltage, direct current transmission
(HVDC) is a strong alternative to EHV AC.

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 HVDC Transmission

» Long distance high power transmission by overload lines.

» Short distance high power transmission by submarine or under ground
cables.
» System interconnection by means of overload lines or underground /
submarine cables or back to back HVDC coupling stations.
» Frequency conversion (eg. 60 Hz /50 Hz)
» Incoming lines in mega cities.

What Happens in HVDC Link:

In HVDC link AC power is concerted by thyristor converter valves
at one end. The energy is transmitted in HVDC from the other end. At the
other end, the DC power is inverted in thyristor converter valves and fed
into the receiving AC system.
An HVDC transmission system has a HVDC converter substation at each
end and an HVDC transmission line is in between. While in case of (back
to back) coupling station, the converter and inverter are at the same place
and there is no HVDC line.

Choice of HVDC Transmission System:

1. For long distance high power transmission lines the use of HVDC is
economical because of lesser cost of transmission line. Though the
HVDC link needs additional conversion substation equipment (converter
transformers and converter etc.) on each side, for long distance high
power transmission the total cost of a DC system becomes lower than that
of AC system.
The per km cost of one bipolar single circuit HVDC line is lesser
than that of an equivalent 3 phase double circuit AC line. Number of
conductors for 3 phase AC line is 6 – 24 as against 2 numbers required
for an equivalent bipolar HVDC line. With HVDC there is no need of

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 HVDC Transmission

intermediate sub station for compensation, while for EHV AC line such a
sub station is required at an interval of 300 km. HVDC is favourable
above 800 km 1000 MW, because for this the cost of EHV Line / s/s
exceeds that of equivalent HVDC line / sub station.
2. (Tie line ) HVDC links have several advantages over AC links. HVDC
links form an asynchronous tie, i.e the two AC systems interconnected by
HVDC tie line are not in synchronism with each other.
 With HVDC interconnections power flow can be controlled.
 The frequency disturbances are not transferred
 Short circuits levels remain unchanged at both ends
 The transient stability of AC network at both ends can be
significantly improved.
 With HVDC line power flow can be quickly modulated reversed,
changed to suppress the power swings in the connected AC
network and hence the system stability can be greatly improved
with HVDC line power flow.
 HVDC interconnection can provide a weak tie (lesser capacity)
between two strong AC networks. It can difficult with AC
interconnection.
 The most important task of inter-connector is to transfer required
amount of power in the required direction and it is necessary to
maintain the stability when doing so. AC interconnecters have
severe limitations. There is no such limitations with HVDC.

3. Back to back asynchronous tie stations-

Where two AC systems are interconnected by a converter sub
station without any HVDC transmission line in between. The back
to back coupling stations can be connected at any suitable location,

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 HVDC Transmission

where two networks meet geographically and desire to exchange

the required amount of power.
4. Multi Terminal HVDC Interconnection-
This is the new HVDC possibility. With this three or more AC
networks can be interconnected asynchronously by means of a
multi terminal HVDC network.
a. Power flow from each connected AC network can be controlled
suitably.
b. Larger power can be transferred
c. Overall suitability can be improved.
At present one such scheme is under execution and is (Hydro
Quebec, Canada to New England, USA.

5. Underground or Submarine Cable Transmission System-

The submarine cables are necessary to transfer power cross lakes,
seas etc. In case of AC cables, the temperature rise due to charging
currents forms a limit for loading and for each voltage rating, there
is a limit beyond which the cable can not be used to transfer load
current.
In such cases HVDC cables are used.

Types of HVDC System:

An HVDC transmission system transmits electrical energy from
one or more AC s/s to another AC substation, in the form of Direct
current. A two terminal HVDC system transmits electrical energy in
direct current form from one AC sub station to another AC sub station.
A multi terminal HVDC system transmits electrical power in DC
form between three or more AC sub stations.

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 HVDC Transmission

In bipolar HVDC transmission system, the mid point of converters at

each HVDC converter s/s is earthed and earth return path is usually
available.
The world ‘pole’ is for the path of direct current which has the same
polarity w.r.t the earth. The total pole includes s/s pole and transmission
line pole.

Schemes for HVDC Transmission:

a. Monopolar Scheme:
There is only one conductor above ground potential (usually –ve to
minimize communication interference). The return is via ground or sea
(water).
In monopolar HVDC system the full power and current is transmitted
through a line conductor with earth or sea as a return conductor. This system
has less reliability, because if there is fault on this conductor then entire
system will fail or tripped. (Power transmitted not substantially)
Monopolar HVDC systems are used only for low power rated links and
mainly for cable transmission. In some cases the monopolar systems
installed earlier are converted into bipolar system by adding additional
substation pole and transmission pole.

Vdc

Monopolar Scheme
Monopolar HVDC transmission system has only the rating equal to half
of the bipolar scheme. So it is not competitive with EHV AC scheme. For

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 HVDC Transmission

submarine cables longer then 25 km. and having power rating of about 250
MW for such cable transmission HV AC is not feasible because of high
charging currents and hence cable may cross its thermal limit.

b. Bipolar Scheme:
It has two conductors having potential +Vdc & -Vdc. With reference to
ground the voltage between conductors is twice that of the conductor to
earth voltage. The junction between the two converters is earthened at
one or both ends via electrical line and earth electrode. Power rating of
one conductor is about half of bipole power rating.
The earth carries only a small out of balance current during the normal
operation.
These can be operated independently in the latter case. The current flows
in the ground or neutral conductor only when there is a difference in
power transfer over two circuits.
During fault or trouble on one of the conductor, the bipolar HVDC
system is switched over automatically to monopolar mode. Thus the
continuity is maintained after taking corrective action, the system is again
switched over to normal bipolar operation.
The normal bipolar HVDC system is composed of two separate
monopolar systems with a common earth. The two conductors can
operate independently. Generally the currents flowing through are equal
but whenever fault occur on one conductor, then other one can be used to
carry up to half of bipolar power or sometimes more than ½ power.
The reliability of this scheme is much higher. In case of fault more than
50% power can be transmitted over healthy pole.
This is most widely used for overhead long distance HVDC systems and
for back to back HVDC system.

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 HVDC Transmission

Problems:
 Some time switching is required
 Ground currents problem is associated with them unbalanced currents
flow. Ground return is not permitted.

Vdc I1

EE EE

Vdc I2

 The mid point of converters (called neutral point or the joint) in each
station is earthed. If not earthed neutral then same current will flow all
over the circuit.

Homopolar HVDC Scheme:

There are more than one conductor of the same polarity usually –ve.
rarely used. In this return path is always through ground. Ground current is
always present.
Application of homopolar transmission are limited and are not very useful.

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 HVDC Transmission

I1

I1  I 2

I2

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 HVDC Transmission

Comparison of AC & DC Transmission

1. Current Limit:
For Long distance of over head transmission no problem of stability with AC
or DC.
Cables: Thermal limit is important because of changing currents. For
submarine transmission more then 40 km DC cables are used.
a). Comparing AC & DC cable transmission DC cable has lesser dielectric
power loss and hence with DC transmission the current carrying capacity
of the cable can be increased considerably.
b). In AC cables there are considerable sheath dielectric losses (due to
charging current flowing through the sheath and also due to circulating
and eddy currents due to induction). While in case of DC, only leakage
current flows in the sheath. Therefore, sheath losses are negligible
compared with AC cables.
c). In AC as the length of the cable grows the charging currents become very
large. This places a natural limitation on the length of an AC cable with
overhead AC systems charging current contributes to a continuous loss
(even without load)
d). In DC system because of absence of charging current there is no limit on
the length of cable and there is no continuous loses on overhead lines
without loads.
2. Voltage Limit:
a. The insulation must with stand the normal working voltage as well as
transient voltage without any damage. Generally transient voltages
should be limited to about 3 times the crest voltage (working).
b. With DC the voltage reached is 1.7 times the working voltage. Power loss
and communication interference with corona also decides the AC & DC

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 HVDC Transmission

voltage level. Corona is worst in foul weather for AC. Corona effect
slightly reduces in foul weather.
3. Corona loss and radio interference are less of a problem in DC systems then
in case of AC system.
4. Cables: Normal working voltage is important. With DC voltage slightly
greater 1.4 times the AC r.m.s voltage is permitted.
5. The natural dielectric strength of cable insulation is substantially greater
(over 3 times) in DC than in AC applications with DC the insulation has oner
life.
6. An AC line has to be insulated for peak value of the AC voltage wave while
the useful value is only the r.m.s value, so far the same insulation, we can
use higher transmission voltage in case of DC transmission.
7. In AC systems the theoretical length of a transmission line which can be
operated without loss of stability is only 1.43 times its natural impedance
and is generally about 500 km. There is no stability limits in DC system so
that lines may have any length. Also the power capacity with DC system is
not limited by surge impedance loading.
8. Power per Conductor:
Single circuit AC (3 conductors)
Bipolar DC
Id  Ia , Vd  2Va per phase
AC power  3Va I a cos 
DC power  2Vd I d
 2 2Va I a
Power transfer with single circuit AC is equal to that with a bipole DC.
Reliability of bipole DC is equal to that of double circuit AC.
If single circuit AC is used with DC, it can transmit as much as 3 times the
power.
With DC less no of conductors are required.

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 HVDC Transmission

So a DC line is always less costly compared with a 3 phase AC line because

only two conductors are needed in a DC line, compared with three in an AC
line.
9. Ground can be used as a return conductor in the case of DC systems.
With DC less insulation is required.
With DC only the extra cost is to convert AC to DC again DC to AC, filters
are required.
10. With DC the no of conductors, insulation & associated equipments are
lesser. Towers are simple, narrower and cheaper because load on the
supporting structure is lesser.
11. Between two AC systems DC transmission provides a non-synchronous link
which solves the problem of voltage, stability and frequency control.
12. With a DC link in parallel with AC links the stability limits of the existing
AC systems can be increased with this existing AC lines can be used to
greater capacity.

Circuit Breakers:
There is no problem of circuit breakers in AC, we are not constraint by
this problem.
In AC breakers use natural current zero & there are no problem.
In AC Circuit breaking, the current is interrupted at current zero of the
alternating current wave.

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 HVDC Transmission

I ac
F
t

Current zero in AC wave form

I ac

Fixed current zero in AC wave

Current choped at instant F

t0  0
I dc

t F

Abrupt faced current zero in DC

In DC absence of natural current zero complicates the design.

While breaking direct current the natural current zero is not available.
Hence the problem in DC circuit breaker is to bring down the current
from full value to zero smoothly without chopping it abruptly.
The abrupt current zero can be achieved by high pressure blunt on the arc
zone. But due to such an abrupt forcing of current zero (current chopping)
excessive over voltage may generate. So there should be some other
switching system which can bring down the DC to zero artificially
without chopping it. (Artificial current zeros in DC by inserting LC
parallel circuit across the CB contact separation).

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 HVDC Transmission

I dc
t

Circuit breaker for DC should be capable of breaking all the values of

currents from rated normal currents to highest Short Circuit Current
without excessive over voltages.
Ground Return:
With AC ground return is not feasible because of high impedances &
communication interference.
With DC ground return is feasible in many situations [not feasible in
human, line going through any territory, pipe line, then there may be
electrolyte corrosion. In submarine crosses where heavy sea traffic, as the
English link then we use separate cable for transmission].
In some cases presence of metallic structure (pipe line) may not allow
ground return because of the electrolytic corrosion effects.
In some cases (sea return) communication interference (lesser then that
with DC) may not allow ground return.

Advantages of Ground Return:

1. Simpler and cheaper construction
2. Lesser losses (because of only one conductor)
3. Stage wise planning possible (Mono-polar & then Bipolar)
Problem with Ground Return:
Electrodes:
i). Low resistance electrodes have to be carefully designed
ii). Location & screening of electrodes

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 HVDC Transmission

iii). Maintenance due to electrolytic corrosion

Touch & Step Potential:

has to be evaluated by extensive field studies & must be
sufficiently low to prevent damage to humans & animals. (Ground
is used as a conductor it may have the potential previously that is
the step or touch potential)

Harmonics:
Converters generate harmonics on AC & DC sides, Elaborate
filtering is required [A very huge area of the station is covered by
filter. Converter also consume substantial amount of reactive
power and filter generates reactive power due to capacitance and
inductance so filter helps in this respect]

Expensive:
Filters generate reactive power at power frequency & reduce
installation of reactive support equipments.

Terminal Equipment:
Adds to the cost of DC transmission. High power & reliability
converters are available.
Control of Tie Line Power:
In AC it is not easy (done through system control centre through A
& C automatic control).
In case of AC lines, the phase angle δ gets adjusted naturally in
accordance with the load / generation / frequency balance at each
end and power flows from surplus end to the deficit end. Problem

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 HVDC Transmission

in control of power in AC system is due to the problem to control

the frequency.
Control of power flow through a HVDC link is fast, accurate,
bidirectional and has a wide range of magnitudes limits.
DC link power can be modulated to assist one of the AC systems in
frequency control [unaided small systems in system through AGC
(Automatic Generation Control) for large systems]
The DC power modulated can also be used for small signal
stabilization. (damping low frequency oscillation & large signal
stabilization (impressing transient stability)) that’s why circuit
breaker are not required.
[Disturbances is one AC network is quickly damped by modulating
the power flow through the HVDC inter connection.
HVDC Transmission Scheme

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 HVDC Transmission

Convertor station Convertor station

(1) (2)

AC DC Rector DC Transmission Line

Convertor
Bus
Xc
DC
Filter

DC Control
Filter System

Reactive One Pole

compensator
device

Modern HVDC links have thyristorized converters. A converter converts AC

into DC and DC into AC.
Control System: Control the firing angle of thyristors.

Convertor: Converts DC to AC and vice versa through firing control of SCRs.

Convertor Transformer: This provides voltage level which is most

economical for DC transmission (no technical limitations are there) it also
provides AC – DC isolation. Two transformers are connected in YY and Y.
This results in elimination of sum harmonics.

AC Filters: Firing control of SCRs generates harmonics. Requires elaborate

filtering.

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 HVDC Transmission

DC Filters: Harmonics also generates on DC sides. Filtering requirement not as

substantial as it is on AC side.

DC Reactors: Smoothens out DC current harmonics. It also provides protection

against transient over currents. Under steady state condition it doesn’t come into
picture.
Applications: SVS has several applications including the following
a. Normal Voltage Regulation of Transmission System: It is used for better
step less, fast, accurate voltage control of sub station buses over a wide
range of loads by supplying + Q (capacitive VARs) or – Q (reactive) in to
the sub station bus.
b. Dynamic Compensation of Fluctuating Reactive Loads: In case of arc
furnaces, rolling mills SVS are used for rapid change in reactive power
compensation in accordance with varying load. This reduces lamp flicker
and voltage dips.
c. Control of Over Voltages in Transmission System arising due to Load
Rejection: When a large load is switched off due to frequency control or
fault or any reason then receiving bus voltage rises rapidly, then it
provides rapid change in reactive power compensation and regulates the
voltage.
d. Compensation of Reactive Power for Rapid Control of Reactive Power
for Stable Operation of Converters:
e. Damped the Frequency Oscillations in Power Systems:
f. Improves Transient Stability of Power System by Rapid Voltage
Control:

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