A

Seminar Report
on

HVDC TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY

Supervised by: Submitted by:

Dr. NITIN GUPTA SAMEEKSHA GUPTA
Assistant Professor (2010UEE192)

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
JAIPUR

JANUARY 2014

1
 CANDIDATES DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the seminar report entitled, HVDC

transmission technology has been prepared by me under the guidance
and supervision of Dr. Nitin Gupta during the Academic Session 2013 -
2014.

SAMEEKSHA GUPTA
ID: 2010UEE192
Final yr B.Tech. Electrical Engineering

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

JAIPUR (INDIA)

2
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar report entitled, HVDC

Transmission technology has been completed and submitted by the
Final yr B. Tech. student Ms. Sameeksha Gupta (2010UEE192) under
my guidance. The report was prepared during the academic Session 2013-
2014. The report is found to be satisfactory and approved for submission.

Dr. Nitin Gupta

Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering

3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my deep sense of gratitude to my respected guide Dr.Nitin Gupta

Assistant Professor Department of Electrical Engineering, Malaviya National
Institute of Technology, Jaipur for his valuable guidance, continuous
encouragement and supervision at every level of preparation of this seminar
report. I am thankful to my seminar coordinators Mr. Ashok Kumar Agrawal,
Associate Professor and Mr. Vipin Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, Department
of Electrical Engineering for permitting me to present this seminar. I am also
thankful to my friends for their valuable support and inspiration that helped me to
prepare this report in a better way

4
 CONTENTS
Page No.
CANDIDATES DECLARATION 2.
CERTIFICATE 3.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 4.
LIST OF FIGURES 7.
LIST OF TABLES 8.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 9.

CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 10-15

1.1 Definition
1.2 Need of HVDC Systems
1.3 Brief History
1.4 Use of HVDC Technology Around The
Globe

CHAPTER-2 WORKING OF HVDC TRANSMISSION 16-22

SYSTEM
2.1 HVDC Transmission System
2.2Principles of AC/DC Conversion
2.3Transmission Modes
2.3.1Monopolar Link
2.3.2Bipolar Link
2.3.3Homopolar Link
2.4Principles of HVDC Control

CHAPTER-3 ADVANTAGES OF HVDC SYSTEM 23-25

3.1Interconnection of Power Networks

3.2Economics
3.3Long Distance Bulk Power Delivery
3.4Environmental Benefits

5
CHAPTER-4 DISADVANTAGES OF HVDC SYSTEM 26-27

4.1Cost
4.2Harmonics
4.3Integration of HVDC System into AC Netwroks
4.4Stability of Networks

CHAPTER-5 HVDC APPLICATION: Rural electrification using 28-30

overhead HVDC transmission lines
6.1Introduction
6.2Method
6.3Result
6.4Conclusion

CHAPTER-6 HVDC PROJECTS IN INDIA 31-33

6.1HVDC Links in India

6.2HVDC Back to Back Projects
6.3HVDC Project Development Issues
6.4Future Prospect

CHAPTER-7 OTHER APPLICATIONS 34-36

7.1Hybrid HVDC
7.2HVDC Light
7.3WAMS Enabled VSC-HVDC Control
7.4 WAMS Enabled Control for Oscillation Damping
7.5 WAMS Enabled Control for Maximum Power Transfer

CHAPTER-8 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 37-41

8.1LCC HVDC
8.1.1Advantages
8.1.2Disadvantages
8.2VSC Transmission
8.2.1Characteristics
8.3HVDC System Challenges
8.3.1Power Loss
8.3.2Dispatch And Control
8.3.3Integration of HVDC Network in AC network
8.3.4Harmonics
8.3.5Operation of HVDC with Ground fault

CHAPTER-9 CONCLUSION 42

6
REFERENCES

LIST of FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE NO.

3.1 Investment Cost vs. Transmission Distance 19
4.1 Cost Structure for HVDC Transmission Construction 21
5.1 Main components of a HVDC transmission a typical 25
arrangement
5.2 Monopolar Line 26
5.3 Bipolar Line 27
5.4 Homopolar Line 27
5.5 Converter Stations 28
7.1 The Gotland HVDC Light Converter Station 34
7.2 Application Control Functions of VSC-HVDC 34
8.1 Circuit Diagram for LCC HVDC 37
8.2 Circuit Diagram for VSC Transmission 38

7
LIST of TABLES

8
LIST of ABBREVIATIONS

9
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 DEFINITION

A high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system uses direct
current for the bulk transmission of electrical power, in contrast with the more
common alternating current (AC) systems.

1.2 NEED FOR HVDC SYSTEMS

For long-distance transmission, HVDC systems may be less expensive and suffer
lower electrical losses. For underwater power cables, HVDC avoids the heavy
currents required to charge and discharge the cable capacitance each cycle. For shorter
distances, the higher cost of DC conversion equipment compared to an AC system
may still be warranted, due to other benefits of direct current links.

HVDC allows power transmission between unsynchronized AC transmission systems.

Since the power flow through an HVDC link can be controlled independently of the
phase angle between source and load, it can stabilize a network against disturbances
due to rapid changes in power. HVDC also allows transfer of power between grid
systems running at different frequencies, such as 50 Hz and 60 Hz. This improves the
stability and economy of each grid, by allowing exchange of power between
incompatible networks.

1.3 BRIEF HISTORY

HVDC technology first made its mark in the early under-sea cable interconnections

10
of Gotland (1954) and Sardinia (1967), and then in long distance transmission with
the Pacific Intertie (1970) and Nelson River (1973) schemes using mercury-arc
valves. A significant milestone occurred in 1972 with the first Back to Back (BB)
asynchronous interconnection at Eel River between Quebec and New Brunswick; this
installation also marked the introduction of thyristor valves to the technology and
replaced the earlier mercury-arc valves.

The first 25 years of HVDC transmission were sustained by converters having

mercury arc valves till the mid-1970s. The next 25 years till the year 2000 were
sustained by line-commutated converters using thyristor valves. It is predicted that the
next 25 years will be dominated by force-commutated converters . Initially, this new
force-commutated era has commenced with Capacitor Commutated Converters (CCC)
eventually to be replaced by self-commutated converters due to the economic
availability of high power switching devices with their superior characteristics.

The first commercially used HVDC link in the world was built in 1954 between the
mainland of Sweden and island of Gotland. Since the technique of power
transmission by HVDC has been continuously developed.

In India, the first HVDC line in Rihand-Delhi in 1991 i.e. I 500 KV, 800 Mkl, 1000
KM. In Maharashtra in between Chandrapur & Padaghe at 1500 KV & 1000 MV.
Global HVDC transmission capacity has increase from 20 MW in 1954 to 17.9 GW in
1984. Now the growth of DC transmission capacity has reached an average of 2500
MW/year.

11
1.4 USE OF HVDC TECHNOLOGY AROUND THE GLOBE

Here is a list of HVDC installations around the globe:

12
13
Table(contd). : Listing of HVDC installations

14
Table(contd). : Listing of HVDC installations

15
 Table(contd). : Listing of HVDC installations

Notes for table:

16
 CHAPTER 2

WORKING OF HVDC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

2.1 HVDC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

In case of HVDC transmission, following systems are used (Ref):-

(i) Two pole one wire.

(ii) Two pole two wire.

(iii) Three pole two wire.

(iv) Three pole three wire.

The standard voltages used are :-

100 , 200, 300, 400, 600 & 800 KV.

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The HVDC system is accepted for transmission of power for following reasons :

(i) For long distance high power transmission.

(ii) For interconnection between two a.c. systems having their own load frequency

control.

(iii) For back to back a synchronous tie substations.

(iv) For under-ground or submarine cable transmission over long distance at high

voltage.

At present, HVDC links have been installed in the world upto the year 2001, 100 links

are expected with a total transfer capacity of 75000 MW. The choice between 400 KV

A.C 705 KV AC, 1100 KV AC and HVDC transmission alternatives is made on the

basis technical and economic studies for each particular line and associated A.C.

system although, alternating current system continuous to be used for generation,

transmission, distribution & utilization of electrical energy.

2.2 PRINCIPLES AC/DC CONVERSION

HVDC transmission consists of two converter stations which are connected to each

other by a DC cable or DC line. A typical arrangement of main components of an

HVDC transmission is shown in fig.

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Two series connected 6 pulse converters (12-pulse bridge) consisting of valves &

converters transformer are used. The valves convert AC to DC, and the transformer

provide a suitable voltage ratio to achieve the desired direct voltage and galvanic

separation of the AC & DC systems. A smoothing reactor in the DC ckt reduces the

harmonic currents in the DC line, & possible transient over currents. Filters are used

to take care of harmonics generated at the conversion. Thus we see that in an HVDC

in an HVDC transmission, power is taken from one point in an AC network, where it

is converted to DC in a converter station ( rectifier ), transmitted to another converter

station (inverter) via line or cable and injected into an ac system.

By varying the firing angle & ( point on the voltage wave when the gating pulse is

applied & conduction starts ) the DC output voltage can be controlled between two

limits, +ve and negative. When a is varied, we get,

maximum DC voltage when = 00.

Rectifier operation when 0< < 900

Inverter operation When 900< < 1800

While discussion inverter operation, it is common to define extinction angle = 1800

19
 Fig.2.1: Main components of a HVDC transmission a typical arrangement

2.3 TRANSMISSION MODES

TYPES OF HVDC SYSTEMS

Three types of dc links are considered in HVDC applications.

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2.3.1 Monopolar Link

A monopolar link has one conductor and uses either ground and/or sea return. A
metallic return can also be used where concerns for harmonic interference and/or
corrosion exist. In applications with dc cables (i.e. HVDC Light), a cable return is
used. Since the corona effects in a dc line are substantially less with negative polarity
of the conductor as compared to the positive polarity, a monopolar link is normally
operated with negative polarity.

Fig.2.2:Monopolar Line

2.3.2 Bipolar Link

A bipolar link has two conductors, one positive and the other negative. Each terminal
has two sets of converters of equal rating, in series on the dc side. The junction
between the two sets of converters is grounded at one or both ends by the use of a
short electrode line. Since both poles operate with equal currents under normal
operation, there is zero ground current flowing under these conditions. Monopolar
operation can also be used in the first stages of the development of a bipolar link.
Alternatively, under faulty converter conditions, one dc line may be temporarily used
as a metallic return with the use of suitable switching.

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 Fig.2.3:Bipolar Line

2.3.3 Homopolar Link

In this type of link two conductors having the same polarity (usually negative) can be
operated with ground or metallic return. Due to the undesirability of operating a dc
link with ground return, bipolar links are mostly used. A homopolar link has the
advantage of reduced insulation costs, but the disadvantages of earth return outweigh
the advantages.

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 Fig.2.4:Homopolar Line

2.4 PRINCIPLES OF HVDC CONTROL

One of the most important aspects or HVDC systems is its fast and stable
controllability. In DC transmission, the transmitted power can be rapidly controlled
by changing the DC voltages. The current in the system can only flow in one
direction for a given setting power is transported from rectifies to inverter and by
altering voltages, the power flow direction is reversed.

Fig.2.5:Converter Stations

In HVDC transmission, one of the converter stations, generally the inverter station, is
so controlled that the direct voltage of the system is fixed & has rigid relation to the

23
voltage on the AC side. Tap changers take care of the slow variations on the AC side
the other terminal station (rectifier) adjust the direct voltage on its terminal so that the
current is controlled to the desired transmitted power.

In fig.

( L 1)

where R is the Resistance of link & includes loop transmission resistance (if any), and
resistance smoothing reactors and converter valves the power received is, therefore,
given as

( L 2)

The rectifier and inverter voltages are given by

( L 3)

( L 4)

Where,

:- number of series connected bridges.

:- line to line AC Voltages at the rectifier and inverter bridges,

respectively.

:- Commutation reactance at the rectifier and inverter, respectively.

24
From equation ( L-2). It is clear that the DC power per pole is controlled by relative

control of DC terminal voltages, control on DC voltage is exercised by

the converter control angles as given by

Eqs ( L 3) and ( L 6 ). Normal operating range of control angles is :

The prime considerations in HVDC transmission are to minimise reactive power

requirement at the terminals and to reduce the system losses. For this DC voltage
should be as high as possible and should be as low as possible.

25
26
 CHAPTER 3

ADVANTAGES OF HVDC SYSTEM

3.1 Interconnection of power networks

The significant advantage of HVDC systems is that it could be used as a tie line to
interconnect separate AC networks. When two separately asynchronous ac systems,
for example where one operates at a frequency of 50Hz and the other at 60Hz or
where the two systems are operated at the same frequency but different phase angles,
using DC link to connect the two ac systems is the only practical method. DC power
is independent of the frequency and relative phase of the power systems. The HVDC
interconnection between two ac systems will not suffer from power swings and risk of
tripping arising from overload. HVDC interconnections performance is much better
than ac interconnection.

HVDC asynchronous interconnection also has very good protection effect about
outages transmit through power networks. August 14 2003, the blackout in Northeast
America gives an example of protection effect from HVDC link . HVDC link
prevented the outage developing past the asynchronous interconnection interface with
Quebec when outage propagated through Qntario and New York.

A HVDC interconnection between power networks enhances power systems in

capacity, controllability and improves power delivery rate. With HVDC
interconnections, transmitting additional power through the AC systems can be
achieved, which produces a mean to improve systems capacity. Based on a constant
power transfer, it is easy to control active power in HVDC link.

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3.2 Economics

For the same transmission capacity, HVDC transmission lines cost less than HVAC
transmission lines in the same length. Fig shows the investment costs for and
overhead line transmission with AC and HVDC.

Fig.3.1: Investment Cost vs. Distance Plot

As can be seen from Figure above a certain distance, the break-even-distance, the
costs of HVDC transmission line are much smaller than AC transmission line. A
bipolar system only has two lines compared to three lines in an AC system which
results in a smaller cost in tower design and construct for delivering the same capacity
power. The Three Gorges Project in China would require 5 x 500kV ac lines
28
compared

to the 2 x 500kV, 3000MW bipolar HVDC lines used.

Savings also could be found in control and maintenance devices costs.

3.3 Long distance bulk power delivery

HVDC has a good performance in long distance bulk power delivery with
underground and submarine cables. It can transfer more power in fewer lines than in
AC system under the same situation. In an ac system the reactive power flow which
caused by the cable resistance limits the transmission distance and adds costs.
Furthermore, reactive power compensation is needed in ac transmission system for
long distance power delivery. Unlike the case of ac transmission, HVDC system
performs better. Lower line losses and economic benefits make HVDC a better
alternative for long-distance power delivery. Using underground and submarine
cables, there is no distance limitation for power delivery and about a half the line
losses of comparable ac system. HVDC transmission system is considered to be a
better choice for connecting offshore wind farms to grid or delivering power from
remote resources to large Urban areas.

3.4 Environmental benefits

When we connect different ac systems by HVDC links, it effectively means there is

no need to build new power stations additionally near to the demand locations.
Reference highlighted that there is no induction or alternating electro-magnetic fields
form HVDC transmission. No skin effects, effective cable transmission and lower
losses ensure that there are less environmental impacts.

29
 CHAPTER 4

DISADVANTAGES OF HVDC SYSTEM

4.1 Cost

As can be seen from the figure below, the highest cost in constructing HVDC
30
transmission system is spent on power electronics and converter transformers.

Fig.4.1 Cost Structure for HVDC Transmission Construction

To build a converter station is much more expensive than an ordinary ac substation of

similar rating because a better technical performance of a HVDC system needs many
more components.

4.2 Harmonics

All electronic converters produce harmonics during the conversion process. In

modern HVDC systems, the number of connected converters increased, the harmonics
are also increased. Harmonics will affect power quality, electronic devices and even
lead to system oscillation. The harmonics are recognized as one of the biggest
problems in HVDC systems.

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4.3 Integration of HVDC system into ac networks

Connecting a HVDC system to an ac system is a challenging project. In HVDC

systems, the large ac harmonic filters can cause significant over-voltages during fault
recovery . However, HVDC system gives good performance of fault protection in
power networks.

4.4 Stability of the networks

In the future, power grids are expected to have more and more HVDC
interconnections. The interactions between these multiple HVDC schemes will
become more important. Communication failures between these HVDC schemes may
result in system instability .

32
 CHAPTER 5

HVDC APPLICATION:

Rural electrification using overhead HVDC transmission lines

5.1 Introduction

One of mankinds greatest modern challenges is poverty alleviation. The provision of

electricity can greatly assist in this regard. The tapping of small amounts of power
from an HVDC transmission line represents a solution to this problem especially in
rural areas. This paper analyses the dynamic characteristics of a parallel-cascaded
tapping station. The results obtained clearly indicate that the parallel-cascaded tapping
station proves to be a viable solution to tapping small amounts of power from an
HVDC transmission line.

Orthodox methods for the provision of electricity supplies, such as a central power
station with a transmission and distribution network, may not be the most economical
means of providing electricity supplies in developing countries, particularly in rural

33
areas where the demand per customer is only a small fraction of a kW . Mobilising of
capital and developing of new technologies is necessary in supplying power to these
rural areas.

Other than various advantages of, HVDC transmission,it does suffer a significant
disadvantage compared to high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission, with
regard to tapping off power from transmission lines. It has not been proven to be

economically and technically feasible to tap off small amounts of power from HVDC
transmission lines. This is a substantial drawback considering that most HVDC
transmission lines pass over many rural communities that have little or no access to
electricity.

The parallel-cascaded tapping station proves to be a viable solution to tapping small

amounts of power from an HVDC transmission line. But the main reasons for the
non-application of this concept are that the rural villages, into which the power will be
tapped, usually have weak AC systems, which have few or no rotating machine loads.

Also the issue currently at hand is whether the tapping station should be connected in
series or in parallel to the HVDC transmission line.

Although research has shown satisfactory results for one series tap connected at the
middle of the HVDC transmission line, taking Example of the African context, HVDC
transmission line transporting power from Central Africa to Southern Africa will be at
least 3000 km long. Therefore, it is very likely that the HVDC transmission line will
pass more than two (maybe more than 10) rural communities, spaced along the
HVDC transmission line. Hence, it would not be economically feasible to have one
series tap at the middle of the HVDC transmission line supplying power to all these
communities. Further, a series tap causes a volt drop on the HVDC transmission line,
which increases the main rectifier and inverter thyristor valve losses and stresses.

34
There is therefore a need to devise a method for multiple power tap offs from HVDC
transmission lines for rural applications.

5.2 Method:

Firstly, a novel DC-to-DC converter was designed for connection in parallel with the
HVDC transmission line and step down the high DC voltage to a lower DC voltage.
Secondly, a voltage source inverter was used to invert the lower DC voltage into a
three-phase voltage.

Voltage source converters (VSC) feeds power to AC systems with low short circuit
ratio or even passive networks with no local power generation.

To compensate for the converter transformer, the load was connected in a delta
configuration, which was the same way the winding on the converter side of the
transformer was connected. The function of the delta configuration in this application
was to eliminate the DC component of the phase voltage.

To reduce the voltage stress on the VSI IGBT valves, a novel DC-to-DC converter
was explored to step down the high transmission line DC voltage down to a lower
voltage.

A buck, step-down, convertor produces a lower average output DC voltage than the
applied DC input voltage.

The output voltage fluctuations are diminished by using a low- pass filter, consisting
of an inductor and capacitor. The corner frequency fc of the lowpass filter is selected
to be much lower than the switching frequency, thus essentially eliminating the
switching frequency ripple in the output voltage.

35
5.3 Results:

The HVDC system characteristics during a three-phase fault-

fault is solidly grounded. The HVDC system takes approximately 0.6 s to stabilise
after the clearance of the fault.

A load change in the rural AC system has an unnoticeable effect on the HVDC
system.

5.4 Conclusions:

The parallel-cascaded tapping station demonstrated that it has a negligible effect on

the dynamic performance of the main HVDC link. The results obtained clearly
indicate that the parallel- cascaded tapping station proves to be a viable solution to
tapping small amounts of power from an HVDC transmission line.

Therefore, HVDC transmission need not suffer a significant disadvantage compared

to high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission, since power can now be
tapped off from HVDC transmission lines.

36
 CHAPTER 6

HVDC PROJECTS IN INDIA

6.1 HVDC links in India

The first HVDC link to be commissioned in the country was Rihand-Dadri in 1991
connecting. Thermal power plant in Rihand, Uttar Pradesh (Eastern Part of Northern
Grid) with Dadri (Western Part of Northern Grid). It has a line length of about 816
km. It was built by ABB and is currently owned by PGCIL. Each Pole has a
continuous power carrying capacity of 750 MW with about 10% two hours overload
and 33% five seconds overload of 6x315 MVA at Rihand Terminal and 6x305 MVA at
Dadri Terminal. The next project, Chandrapur-Padge HVDC link connecting
Chandrapur (Central India) and Padge (Mumbai) in 1999. It transmits 1500 MW
power over 752 km and helps in stabilizing the Maharashtra grid by increasing power
flow on the existing 400 KV lines and minimizing total line losses. The Talcher-Kolar
link connecting Talcher, (Odisha) with Kolar, (Karnataka) was completed in June
2003, designed for transmission of 2000 MW continuous rating with inherent short
term overload capacity over 1369 km, making it the longest HVDC link with a
converter transformer rating of 6x398 MVA. The 780 km HVDC link connecting
Ballia, Uttar Pradesh and Bhiwadi, Rajasthan in monopolar mode in March 2010 and
was furthered to operate in bipolar mode in March 2011. During inclement weather
conditions it operates at 70-80% DC voltage owing to reverse power flow capability
with a converter transformer rating of 8x498 MVA on both side. The Mundra-
Mohindergarh link has been the most recently commissioned HVDC link connecting
the Western region to the Northern region for over 986 km operating at 1500 MW. It
is the first link to be commissioned by a private firm (The Adani Group).

37
6.2 HVDC Back to Back Projects

The first commercial Back to back HVDC project Vindyanchal (commissioned in

April 1989) distributes power of 2x250 MW and connects Vindhyanchal Super
Thermal Power Station to Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station. It has the
advantage of bidirectional power flow. The plant achieves the load diversity of
Northern and Western region of the Indian Grid using a Converter Transformer of
8x156 MVA. Chandrapur back to back was the second such project, commissioned in
1993 connecting Chandrapur Thermal Power Station to Ramagundum Thermal Power
Station. Coupled with the bidirectional power flow capability, it achieves load
diversity of Western and Southern Region of the Indian Grid with a Converter
Transformer of 12x234 MVA. Sasaram Back to back was commissioned in September
2002 delivering 500 MW having a Converter Transformer rating of 6x234 MVA. It
connects Pusali (Eastern Region) to Sasaram (Eastern part of Northern grid). The
Block 1 of the Gazuwaka back to back HVDC Project was commissioned in 1999 and
Block 2 in March 2005. It connects Jeypore to Gazuwaka Thermal Station with a
converter transformer rating of 6x234 MVA for block 1 and 6x201.2 MVA for block
2. It meets the high demand of southern region using the surplus power available.

6.3 HVDC PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

There are various concerns regarding the above mentioned system which include
creation of high capacity long distance transmission corridors to enable minimum cost
per MW transfer, the complexity involved in realizing and extending present systems
to Multi-Terminal systems, limited overload capacity of the static inverters coupled
with the difficulty in installation. The high cost of installation of the plant due to the
umpteen number of protection equipment required to eliminate the harmonics have
been some of the issues faced in the development of existing HVDC systems. It has

38
also been observed that implementation on DC circuit breakers is a complex task
owing to the requirement of current being made zero forcefully which helps prevents
arcing and contact wear and hence reliable switching. And the project so developed
should also have minimal effect on the environment. Thus, to account for the ever
increasing demand of power, strong, lossless transmission methods need to be
developed between the generating stations and the bulk power consumers.

6.4 FUTURE PROSPECT

Various projects are being planned which include the introduction of 800 KV, 3000
MW upgradable to 6000 MW Multiterminal systems, in order to facilitate the transfer
of power from generating stations to bulk load centers. The proposed site for rectifier
station is in Bishwanath Chariali and Alipurduar handling 3000 MW and the Inverter
station at Agra handling 6000 MW power. This system is proposed to originate from
Assam and pass through West Bengal, Bihar and terminate in Uttar Pradesh with an
approximate length of 1728 km. It will be the highest capacity HVDC project of the
world considering the continuous 33% overload feature. Each pole of the multi-
terminal shall been designed for 2000 MW which are the highest capacity poles in the
world. The Earth Electrode shall be designed for 5000 Ampere DC continuous current
which shall be the first of its kind in the world. This project is expected to
commission by 2015. It also includes the extension of the Mundra- Mohindergarh
HVDC link currently operating at 1500 MW to its full installed capacity of 2500 MW.
The proposed HVDC link project by PGCIL between India and Sri Lanka connecting
Madurai (Southern India) and Anuradhapura (Central Sri Lanka) would be of 285km
length including 50km of submarine cables. The project would take the final form in
two phases, first would enable the transfer of 500 MW and 1000 MW,the target
capacity in the second phase in near future. Such a connection would enable the two
countries to sell excess energy thus saving resources. Another proposed HVDC link
connecting Behrampur (India) with Bheramara (Bangladesh) is announced by Power
Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and Bangladesh Power Development
Board (BPDB).The line will have initial transfer capacity of 500 MW, which will later

39
be increased to 1000 MW. The 125 Km line will cover 40 km of its length in
Bangladesh and rest in India. Bangladesh is supposed to start spelling 250 MW Power
by the end of 2012. Further, research has been going on in the field of implementation
of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy logic for the fault identification of the present HVDC
systems. The ANFIS system has an advantage over normal controllers in the fact that
they do not require mathematical modeling i.e. absolute data to work. In the present
installations, 70% of the data would be provided to the ANFIS system and the rest
30% would be left for testing and validation. The circuit shall be enriched with a
conventional PI controller to help store the results. Another advantage of using this
technique would be in terms of the delay angle. Earlier in fault identification systems,
the entire working of the circuit depended on the correct choice of the delay angle
which had an upper limit usually of 60. However, no such limitation exists in this
system.

CHAPTER 7

OTHER APPLICATIONS

7.1 Hybrid HVDC

Hybrid HVDC combines the advantages of conventional HVDC and VSC-HVDC.

Characteristics of Hybrid HVDC:

1. The power transmitted in the Hybrid HVDC varies fiom a few MW to

hundreds of MW.
2. VSC on the receiving side has the turn-off capability and can work as a
passive inverter.
3. VSC on the receiving side can maintain voltage and frequency stability in
independence on the AC system.
4. The VSC not only requires no reactive power &om AC system but also can
40
 operate as STATCOM to compensate reactive power dynamically.
5. No short circuit capacity increase takes place in the AC system since the AC
current of VSC is controllable.
6. The sending converter adopts conventional HVDC rectifier system with
perfect technology and low price.

7.2. HVDC LIGHT

HVDC Light is a balanced converter technology, which makes it natural to operate in

a bipolar mode. The converter control is based on the Pulse Width Modulation
(PWM) concept, which enables flexible controllability of active and reactive power.

Advantages of HVDC Light cables:

1. The new HVDC Light cables have insulation of extruded polymer. The
robustness of the cable opens the way for new cable applications i.g. direct
ploughing of underground cables, insulated aerial cables and submarine cables
for particularlysevere conditions.
2. As the polymeric DC insulation is thinner than for an extruded AC cable of the
same voltage, the HVDC Light will have a more dense power capacity.
3. Overcoming limitations due to voltage stability.
4. Direct access to load centers.

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 Fig.7.1: The Gotland HVDC Light Converter Station

7.3 WAMS Enabled VSC-HVDC Control

Fig.7.2: Application control functions of VSC-HVDC

A broad range of application control functions can be implemented in VSC-HVDC

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systems for enhancement of ac network steady-state and dynamic performance.

Wide area measurement systems could enhance the performance of VSC-HVDC

systems by providing the necessary remote measurements to initiate effective control
for transfer capability improvement and against disturbances such as power
oscillations.

7.4 WAMS Enabled Control for Oscillation Damping

VSC-HVDC system could superimpose modulated active power to damp oscillations

in the ac system. A feedback signal such as from active power flow measurement
could be used to drive a supplementary damping control scheme.

7.5 WAMS Enabled Control for Maximum Power Transfer

A system with voltage stability limits along a transmission corridor experience

congestion due to accompanying transmission constraint. Embedded VSC-HVDC
provides counter measures for both transient and longer term voltage instability
mechanisms. Fast modulation of its reactive power could provide the VAR
requirements for the transient problem.

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 CHAPTER 8

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Here are the technical issues faced by users of HVDC transmission and how HVDC
could be made more generally acceptable as a transmission solution are discussed.

HVDC transmission is available in two different technologies, i.e. line-commutated

current-sourced converter (LCC HVDC) and self-commutated voltage sourced
converters (VSC Transmission). Both technologies convert ac to dc and vice versa,
and use direct current for transmission between terminals. This means that power
transmission can be performed between asynchronous networks.

There is no reactive power flow on the dc line, therefore, there is no technical limit to
the transmission distance.

The limit to distance is economic, since the power loss in the transmission line may
eventually become unacceptably high, when practical conductor diameters are used.
The practical transmission distance increases with the voltage.

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8.1 LCC HVDC

Mono-polar LCC HVDC scheme, which has one converter at each end and provides a
Single transmission block. It is generally considered equivalent to a single-circuit ac
transmission link.

Rectifier Inverter

Fig.8.1: Circuit Diagram for LCC HVDC

8.1.1 ADVANTAGE:

The rectifier takes power from its ac network and the inverter injects power into its ac
network. Control systems control the two converters such that the desired active
power is transmitted between the two. One terminal controls the de voltage, and the
other the direct current. The active power between the converters is fully controlled
and does not depend on the magnitude, phase angle or frequency of the ac voltage at
either end of the HVDC scheme. The ability to rapidly control the active power can be
very beneficial.

8.1.2 DISADVANTAGE:

HVDC converter station is many times (>10 times) larger than an equivalently rated
ac substation. Because of their capacitance the ac harmonic filters reactive power
banks can result in large ac over-voltages during load rejection and dynamic
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conditions, e.g. during fault recovery

8.2 VSC Transmission

The scheme has one converter at each end and is a single transmission block.

The Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) creates an ac voltage by switching the ac

terminals between the dc terminals

The IGBT can withstand voltage and conduct current in one direction only, and use a
diode connected in anti parallel, to enable the converter to conduct direct current in
both directions.

8.2.1 CHARACTERISTICS :

Filters are required only for higher frequency harmonics, and can be much lower
rating than those used for LCC HVDC schemes.

Sending end
VSCA Rdc I dc VSC E. Receiving end

Fig.8.2: Circuit Diagram for VSC Transmission

The reactive power exchange can be controlled independently at the two converters,

46
and independently of the active power transmission. The ability to control the reactive
power at the ac terminals is one of the most significant differences between a VSC
Transmission scheme and a LCC HVDC scheme.

VSC Transmission scheme generates its own ac voltage from the dc capacitor, which
means that it can operate as a power supply to a passive ac network.

VSC Transmission scheme using the latest technology will have an efficiency at full
load of >96.5%, excluding the power loss in the transmission line.

8.3 HVDC System challenges

8.3.1 POWER LOSS

The power loss in a HVDC converter station is higher than that in an ac substation,
because of the conversion between ac and dc and the harmonics produced by this
process. However, the power loss in a HVDC transmission line can be 50 to 70% of
that in an equivalent HVAC transmission line. Thus for large distances, an HVDC
solution may have lower loss.

Significant reduction in the power loss of a HVDC can be achieved by use of Silicon
Carbide, diamond or other materials.

8.3.2 DISPATCH AND CONTROL

A LCC HVDC scheme can change its power factor by the switching of ac harmonic

47
filters and shunt capacitors/reactors. The resulting control of reactive power/ac
voltage is in steps, which is generally acceptable to the ac network, particularly if the
ac network is relatively strong. Smooth control of the reactive power by aLeC HVDC
scheme could be achieved by the addition of a SVC at the ac terminals. In principle,
the reactive power could also be controlled by the insertion of a TCSC in series with
the converter transformer impedance. The reactive power could also be controlled by
the converter firing angle, and the steady state impact at the other terminal could be
eliminated through converter transformer tap changer.

One of the great benefits of any type of HVDC scheme is that its active power can be
controlled irrespective of the ac voltage phase angle or angle at its terminals. Grid
codes typically stipulate that a generator has to be able to operate with a controllable
power factor, and that the reactive power capability has to be available throughout
most of its operating range. Typically, ac voltage controllability is also required. The
ability of a VSC Transmission scheme to control the reactive power at its two
terminals independently of each other and independently of the active power.

8.3.3 INTEGRATION OF HVDC NETWORK IN AC NETWORK

Integration of a HVDC terminal into an ac system requires some specialist

engineering. The large ac harmonic filters, particularly for LCC HVDC, can cause
significant overvoltages during fault recovery, if the ac network strength is relatively
weak. Development in HVDC control has resulted in improved performance during
and after faults in the ac network, and the perfonmance can be optimised to suit
particular network requirements. Nonetheless, the performance is different from that
of an ac connection, and network planners have a natural tendency to use the more
familiar ac options, even though the system performance could, in some cases, be
improved with an HVDC scheme. The dynamic and transient performance of an
HVDC scheme can be improved by the incorporation of dynamic reactive power
control capability.

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8.3.4 Harmonics

All power electronic converters produce harmonics as a byproduct of the conversion

process. In order to prevent these harmonics spreading into the ac network, where
they could cause problems, ac harmonic filters are used at the ac terminals of the
HVDC scheme.

Since LCC HVDC produces harmonics at relatively low frequencies (primarily 550Hz
and above), the problem is worse for this type of HVDC than it is for VSC
Transmission (usually > 1kHz). Another issue is that the ac harmonic filters and any
shunt capacitor banks used for reactive power compensation can actually cause
magnification of the distortion caused by other remote harmonic sources.

8.3.5 Operation of HVDC Scheme with Ground return

The cost of an HVDC system can be significantly if it is permissible to operate with a

single/HV metallic conductor. Furthermore, the power loss in the transmission line
duri ng earth return operation is almost half of that applicable to operation with a LV
metallic return conductor. Early HVDC schemes routinely used earth or sea electrodes
for the neutral return current, when operating in mono-polar mode. Care must be
taken in the design and location of electrodes, since the direct current flowing
between them could result in corrosion of metallic structures.

49
 CHAPTER 9
CONCLUSION

In this report, an overview of HVDC transmission systems has been presented. HVDC
was first introduced in the 1950s. It produced many advantages including the
interconnection of asynchronous networks, economic benefits, long-distance bulk
power delivery and environmental benefits. Recently there have been worlds first
800kV HVDC project in South China and an appeared HVDC transmission project
in Indian. The growth in offshore wind farms and other renewable power stations in
Europe in the future will lead to a new power grid and this is expected to be HVDC.

Both Advantages and disadvantages have been analysed and comparision of the
various controls of HVDC technology have been carried out,which have great
potential in transmitting power to offshore industry and will undoubtedly provide
useful solutions in many fields in the future. Besides, the development of power
electric devices will also promote HVDC technology advance significantly and
HVDC systems have great prospects in the future.

The growth in environmental opposition and the need for energy diversity will result
in a dramatic growth in the application of HVDC schemes, as a solution to future
power transmission challenges. To enable the full potential for HVDC schemes to be

exploited, it is necessary to take into account the issues which have been highlighted.
Some aspects requires education of the public, some training of planners and the
advisors of investors, and some requires R&D, primarily by the HVDC
manufacturers.

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REFERENCES

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