HVDC

Next generation of Transmission

By

J.B. Ekanayake
 Why HVDC
Asynchronous connection
Efficient transmission of power especially
through undersea cables
Relatively cheap transmission for long
distances or cross country
The connection of two geologically large or
weak systems.
For such system only possibility is using a HVDC
connection.
In dc interconnection two systems are decoupled, so there is no
stability problem.
Asynchronous connection
The Itaipu HVDC
transmission consists
of two 600
kV bipoles, each
with a rated power of
3,150 MW.

Length of overhead
DC line: 785 km +
805 km
 Indian Case

Sasaram 500 MW
2002

Chandrapur
2 x 500 MW Visakhapatnam 500 MW
1997 1998
CSC - Moyle interconnector
 CSC : Moyle interconnector
Transmission capacity: 2 x 250 MVA
System voltages: 250 kV dc and 275 kV ac
Operating current: 1000 A
Distance 55 km
 CSC : Moyle interconnector
Cable: Mass impregnated dc cable with
integrated return cable
 CSC : Moyle interconnector
Cable laying
Example: Moyle interconnector
 CSC : Moyle interconnector
Light triggered thyristor
China Planned Future HVDC Projects by 2020 in China
(The year means project in operation) Humeng Shandong
800kV, 6400 MW, 2015 BtB China-Russia (HeiHe)
Humeng - Tianjing
Irkutsk (Russia) - Beijing 800kV, 6400 MW, 2016 750 MW, 2008
800kV, 6400 MW, 2015 NEPG
FarEast (Russia) NE China
Ningxia - Tianjing Russia Heilongjiang
3000 MW, 2010
3000 MW, 2010
NW-Sichuan Humeng - Liaoning
Jilin
Hami C. China (Baoji Deyang) 800kV, 6400 MW, 2018
800kV, 6400 MW, 2018 3000 MW, 2011 Hulunbeir (Inner Mongolia)
Xianjiaba Shanghai Xinjiang Liaoning - Shenyang
Inner Mongolia
800kV, 6400 MW, 2011 Beijing 3000 MW, 2010
Gansu NCPG Tianjin
Xiluodu - Hanzhou Hebei
BtB Northeast-North (Gaoling)
800kV, 6400 MW, 2015 1500 MW, 2008
NWPG Ningxia
Shanxi Shandong
Xiluodu - Hunan North Shaanxi-Shandong
800kV, 6400 MW, 2014 Qinghai 3000 MW, 2011
Shaanxi Jiangsu
Henan Anhui
Jinsha River II East China CCPG ECPG BtB Shandong - East
Shanghai
800kV, 6400 MW, 2016
Sichuan & Hubei 1200 MW, 2011
Xizang Chongqing
BtB North - Central
Jingping East China Zhejiang
1000 MW, 2012
800kV, 6400 MW, 2012 Jiangxi
Hunan Fujian
Gezhouba-Shanghai Expansion
Jinsha River II East China 3000 MW, 2011
Guizhou Taiwan
800kV, 6400 MW, 2019 Guangxi Lingbao BtB Expansion
SCPG
Yunnan Guangdong
Jinsha River II - Fujian 750 MW, 2009
800kV, 6400 MW, 2018 Goupitan - Guangdong
3000 MW, 2016
Nuozhadu-Guangdong Jinghong-Thailand
Hainan
Yunnan - Guangdong
800kV, 5000-6000 MW, 2015 3000MW, 2013 800kV, 5000 MW, 2009
Bangkok
Sri Lanka India interconnector
Reasons for choosing HVDC transmission offshore
The break-even point between AC and DC transmission depends on the distance to shore
and the power rating.

Main costs: 3-core 132kV AC

HVAC cables cable x5 (with
HVDC converter stations
compensation)

2x 1core 300kV
bipolar HVDC

Ref: Econnect, East Coast

Transmission Network Technical
Feasibility Study. 2008, Crown
Estate.
 Advantages
Two conductors, positive and negative to ground, are
required instead of three
The direct voltage can be designed equivalent to the
peak of the alternating voltage for the same amount
of insulation to ground (i.e. Vdc =2Vac)
The voltage stress at the conductor surface can be
reduced with dc, thereby reducing corona loss, audible
emissions, and radio interference;
HVDC in-feeds do not increase significantly the short-
circuit capacity required of switchgear on the ac
networks;
Fast control of converters can be used to damp out
oscillations on the ac system to which they are
connected.
 Disadvantages

The higher cost of converter stations compared

with an ac transformer substation;
The need to provide filters and associated
equipment to ensure acceptable waveform and
power factor on the ac networks;
Limited ability to form multi-terminal dc networks
because of the need for coordinated controls and
the present lack of an acceptable dc circuit
breaker.
 Typical HVDC scheme
Transmission
P P

Q Q

Rectifier Inverter
Back to back schemes
P P

Q Q

Rectifier Inverter
 Basic HVDC Transmission
Sending Receiving
End End
Rectifier DC Line Inverter
R
Transformer
V1 V2
Vdc

F Idc F
Capacitor Filter
i i
i Idc
Iac Iac
t t
t

Idc=V1- V2
R
Chandrapur 1000MW HVDC
Convertor Station
 Converter station
Bipole 1

Control
Bipole 2
Building

Filters

Filters

Cable Route
SVC 2 400kV GIS
Substation SVC 1
 Reactive Power

Id

P P
Ud
Q Q
 Id

ea
Vdc
eb
ec
 Rectifier mode
Operation without firing angle delay
During the time ea is most positive thyristor 1
conducts and during the time ea is most
negative thyristor 4 conducts
Since the smoothing inductor is large, it can be
assumed that the current Id is constant and
ripple free.
Assume that the commutation is instantaneous
 6-Pulse Convertor Bridge
1 3
C
ea eb ec

B
2
DC link voltage
No firing angle delay - ideal

6
3
Vd =
2VLL cos t d (t )

6

3 2
= VLL = 1.35VLL



6 6
 No firing angle delay - current
C

ia = i1 i4 1 Id
4

From Fourier analysis

2 3 1 1 1 1
ia = I d cos cos 5 + cos 7 cos11 + cos13 .....
5 7 11 13
With firing angle delay - ideal

+
6
3

Vd =
2VLL cos t d (t )
6

3 2
= VLL cos
6 6

 With firing angle delay
Gate firing angle can be controlled to
control the mean dc level of the rectifier
Average dc voltage

Vdc = 1.35VLL cos = Vdo cos

Since can vary from 00 1800 , Vdc can

be varied from +Vdo to - Vdo
In the rectifier mode only positive variation
of Vdc is considered
 Current in rectifier mode
As the angle changes, the phase
displacement between the ac side voltage and
ac side current of the rectifier is also changes
From Fourier analysis
2 3 1 1 1 1
ia = I d cos cos 5 + cos 7 cos11 + cos13 .....
5 7 11 13

2 3 1 6
Id = Id
RMS value of the fundamental = 2
Current in rectifier mode
 Active and reactive power
control
P Q

0 Maximum Zero

0 < < 90 Can vary Absorbing

90 zero Maximum and

absorbed
 Example
A three-phase 6-pulse rectifier is fed from
transformers having effective turns ratio of 0.48.
(a)If the primary voltage is 230 kV, determine the dc
output voltage when the firing angle is 20.
(b)If the direct current delivered by the rectifier is
2000 A, calculate the RMS fundamental
component of the ac current, power factor and
reactive power at the primary side of the
transformer.
Effect of Commutating Reactance
1 3
u u
C

A
Vd

B
2
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Thyristor Firing Sequence

Vdc Idc

T7933
 Commutation Rectifier mode
Commutation is the process of transferring
current between any two thyristor
Both thyristors carries current
L
i3

3
L
i5
Vb 5 Vd
Vc
Commutation Rectifier mode
Vb u Vc

Area A
Vd

i1 i3
Id
 Commutation Rectifier mode
di3 di5
Vb Vd = L and Vc Vd = L
dt dt
d [i3 i5 ]
Vb Vc = L
dt
2 4
Vb Vc = Vm cos t cos t
3 3
Vdo
= 3Vm sin t = sin t
3
 Commutation Rectifier mode

d [i3 i5 ] Vdo
Vb Vc = L = sin t
dt 3
I dc +u
1 Vdo
d [i3 i5 ] = sin t dt
I dc
L
3

Vdo
I dc = [cos cos( + u )]
6 L
 Commutation Rectifier mode

2 3 +
3
Vdc =

+ 2VLL sin d Area A

3
Vdo
Vdc = [cos + cos( + u )] [2]
2
From [1] and [2]:

3 L
Vdc = Vdo cos I dc

 Examples
A bridge-connected rectifier is fed from a 230
kV/120 kV transformer from the 230 kV supply.
Calculate the direct voltage output when the
commutation angle is 15 and the delay angle is (a)
0; (b) 30; (c) 60.

It is required to obtain a direct voltage of 100 kV

from a bridge-connected rectifier operating with
Calculate the necessary line
secondary voltage of the rectifier transformer,
which is nominally rated at 345 kV/150 kV;
calculate the tap ratio required.
 Inverter mode

Since Vdc = Vdo cos when is higher

than 90, Vdc becomes negative

As current only can flow from anode to

cathode of the thyristor, the 6 pulse
converter should be rotated by 180.
Inverter mode
 Inverter mode

With respect to the rectifier mode

Current remains in the same direction
Voltage has reversed by having firing angle
greater than 90
 DC Terminal Voltage
Inversion

120 180 240 300 0

0
60 120
60 180
Commutation in inverter mode
After the commutating process is
complete
Small extinction angle 1 must be left
If this angle is not enough it will start
conducting again
Commutating failure
Thus dc voltage polarity will change and
regain in the next cycle
Commutation in inverter mode

3 L
Vd = Vco cos Id

 Power factor with commutation
Due to the firing angle delay and commutation
angle, converter current lags the voltage

cos + cos( + u )
3via cos = Vd I d = Vdo Id
2
Vm 6 3 3 cos + cos( + u )
3 I d cos = Vm Id
2 2
cos + cos( + u )
cos =
2
 12 pulse converter
Two 6 pulse converters through Y Y
and D Y transformers
 12 pulse converter
+Vdc

AC

AC
12 pulse converter

ia1

ia2

ia
 12 pulse converter
From Fourier analysis
2 3 1 1 1 1
ia1 = I d cos cos 5 + cos 7 cos11 + cos13 .....
N 5 7 11 13
2 3 1 1 1 1
ia 2 = I d cos + cos 5 cos 7 cos11 + cos13 .....
N 5 7 11 13
ia = ia1 + ia 2
4 3 1 1
= I d cos cos11 + cos13 .....
N 11 13

Combined line currents have harmonics in

the order 12k1 (where k is an integer)
12 pulse converter
Converter arrangements
Converter arrangements
 Example
A three-phase 12-pulse rectifier is fed from transformers
having effective turns ratio of 0.48.
(a)If the primary voltage is 230 kV, determine the dc output
voltage when the firing angle is 20.
(b)If the direct current delivered by the rectifier is 2000 A,
calculate the RMS fundamental component of the ac
current, power factor and reactive power at the primary
side of the transformer.
 Converter control
The power in the dc link can be controlled
trough current or voltage
To minimize the losses
Constant voltage
Adjust the current to meet the power demand
For the rectifier and inverter:
3 Lr 3 Lr
Vdr = Vco _ r cos I d = Edr Id

3 Li 3 Li
Vdi = Vco _ i cos I d = Edi Id

 Converter control
3Lr/ Rd Id -3Li/

Edr Vdr Vdi Edi

Steady state current in the dc link:

Vco _ r cos Vco _ i cos

Id =
3 [ L L ] + R
r i d
 Converter control
Small change in voltage magnitude
result in large change in current in the
dc link
Hence fast control of current is
essential.
In steady state
Inverter is assigned the task of controlling
the dc voltage
Inverter is operating in minimum thus
maintaining maximum possible dc voltage
Rectifier control the current
Converter control
 Converter control
Vd
Rectifier
(CV mode)
Normal
operating point
Inverter
(CV mode)

Inverter
Rectifier
(CC mode)
(CC mode)

Iorder
 Problem
A d.c. link comprises a line of loop resistance 5 and is
connected to transformers giving secondary voltage of 120 kV
at each end. The bridge-connected converters operate as
given in the following table. Calculate the direct current
delivered if the inverter operates on constant control. If all
parameters remain constant, except , calculate the maximum
direct current transmittable.