RECENT TRENDS IN HVDC TRANSMISSION

P.V.S.Sai kumar M.V.Satyanarayana

REGENCY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,YANAM.

ABSTRACT During the latest 20 years, HVDC has become the dominating technology for long distance transmission of bulk power. The use of 800 kV HVAC that was introduced in several countries during the 1960s and 1970s has come to a halt . Therapid development and the increased confidence in the HVDC technology have caused the transition from ac to dc. This paper will cover the classic thyristor based HVDC technology. The newer HVDC Light technique will be covered in a companion paper. Keywords: Commutated converters, AC filters, Capacitor systems, Power

above what is presently used. The main reason is that most of the hydro power resources that are within convenient distance to the consumer centers have been exploited by now, and in order to meet the increasing demand for clean, renewable energy, remote hydro generation plants are built. This asks for efficient means for long distance, bulk power transmission, a typical scenario is 6000 MW to be transmitted 2000-3000 km. esources that are within convenient distance to the consumer centers have been exploited by now, and in order to meet the increasing demand for clean, renewable energy, remote hydro generation plants are built. This asks for efficient means for long distance, bulk power transmission, a typical scenario is 6000 MW to be transmitted 2000-3000 km. hydro generation plants are built. This asks for efficient means for long distance, bulk power transmission, a typical scenario is 6000 MW to be transmitted 2000-3000 km. esources that are within convenient distance to the consumer centers have been exploited Converter,Control HVDC systems,

DC filters, Development, Garabi, HVDC transmission, Thyristor valves Introduction: Worldwide there is an increasing interest in the application of HVDC at voltage levels

by now, and in order to meet the increasing demand for clean, renewable energy, remote hydro generation plants are built. This asks for efficient means for long distance, bulk power transmission, a typical scenario is 6000 MW to be transmitted 2000-3000 km.

of the Congo River near the location of Inga.Parts of the power is planned to be transmitted to South Africa. In Brazil vast hydropower resources are located in the Amazon region, while the power consumer centers are located along the eastern coast.In several investigations that have been carried out in the past, the common conclusion has been that for these big amounts of power and long distances the use of 800 Kv HVDC is the most economical solution. [1], [2].The realization of an 800 kV HVDC system is of course a matter of insulation. Most of the equipment will not be affected, see figure 1, and equipment for lower voltages is often built up by modules with resistive and capacitive voltage grading that can be extrapolated to higher voltages by adding more modules.In order to meet the requirements from the market, ABB is at present working with development of equipment for 800 kV HVDC.

Also in countries like China and India with vast coal resources, a certain quota of hydro power is needed for stabilizing purposes.In China large hydropower resources are available in the Western part of the country and the power will be transmitted to the industrialized regions in the Eastern and Southern areas of China In India transfer of the hydropower generated at the Bramaputra River Basin in the North-Eastern part of India will have to be transmitted to the southern part of the country where the power is needed. In Africa there is a great potential for power production at the basin

2. The new circuit concept of CCC The development of HVDC systems in the last 10 years has three main avenues compared with the technology of 1990: 1. The traditional classic HVDC technology is still dominating but with improved equipment and sub-systems (e.g. valves, dcbushings, AC-filters, DC-filters etc.) (capacitor commutated converter) in the classic HVDC technology, that significantly improves the performance of the traditional converter.

3.

The

new source

traditional HVDC applications. It is believed that VSC systems such as HVDC Light in a few years of will the that thyristor The Direct i.e. take over a large portion market, by traditional HVDC presently covered technology. Voltage Current (UHVDC), voltages above the highest in use, 600 kV,has found attractive to economically for power blocks up to 6000 MW for distances 1000 km,Furthermore the use of 800 kV as transmission will be voltage above been be

the with

near a

future limited of

for

800

kV

HVDC using VSC (voltage converters) using IGBTs in place of thyristors.In all of the three lines of development the industry has taken maximum benefit of the dramatic development that is taking part in the part in the computer field.Todays development is to a the ABB case significant VSC the is extent directed to technology (in the HVDC Light) that presently developed in the lower power range (below found interesting transmission uses besides the 300 many MW), where it has

HVDC. ECONOMY The total cost for a system HVDC is in transmission composed of the investment converter stations and line and the capitalized value of the losses. For a given power the cost with line has for the the a stations increases voltage,while the minimum combined cost at a certain voltage.A comparison of the total cost for transmitting 6400 MW over 1800 km at 800 kV AC, 800 kV DC and 600 kV DC has been done. 1400

amount development

work. None of the AC equipment, auxiliary equipment control affected increase voltage. equipment easily by of or and the DC Also is

protection will be

use of Ultra High

most of the DC modified

for 800 kV, such as thyristor valves and DC filter capacitors. Station external insulation and line insulation must be carefully considered. demands, has R&D started In ABB an program order to meet the

with the goal to develop and test equipment needed

achievable within

USD/kW has been applied when calculating value of the the

complete system. That means that the reliability of the transmission is a very important issue and has to be a major design parameter. Line Faults The frequency of line faults is dependent on the length of the line. Bipolar faults can occur e.g. at tower failures or due to icing at extreme weather conditions, but are rare. The majority of the pole line

rare occasions the line will stay tripped for longer periods, and will recover within a couple of hours. The time needed for dead line maintenance will be added to the line unavailability.For some DC systems special arrangements have been done to increase the power availability. In the Inga-Shaba HVDC project, the two converters in the bipole can be paralleled and the power can be transmitted on one pole line, however at higher losses. Switching stations along the line allows for simultaneous line faults on different

losses. The result is that the800 kV DC is the most cost effective alternative depending on a higher capacity lower losses.The line and line total

cost for the 800 kV alternative is 25 % lower than for 600 kV, see Fig. 2

AVAILABILITY AND RELIABILITY Due to the large power associated with power at transmission

faults are cleared easily within some periods retarding retard healthy compensates time by and the pole the

restart.During the

800 kV HVDC, the society will have exceptional on requirements

power loss on the failing pole. At

reliability of the

segments Itaip

along HVDC

that the groups in each of pole will have a minimum interactions. Ideally, the bipole should be built as two monoples. should applied AC-yard configuration, with possibility to entirely disconnect areas that the are also for separate This be the

CONVERTER CONFIGURATI ON The rating of the transmission, 6400 MW, makes it one This minimize disturbances necessary to have more than converter will the at group per pole.

mid 60s where six pulse groups were connected in series to achieve the voltage. pass breaker,should one mercury arc valve be out of order. The Itaipu 600 kV HVDC project is the only project thyristor that has with valves two desired Each

the line. For the project, with two bipoles in parallel, the two converters can be connected in parallel to one bipole, in order to minimize the loss of power at bipole line outage. Converter Stations The structure of the present control and system, routing protection cable and

group had a by-

faults and increase the reliability and availability of the transmission. Another reason for dividing into more groups is the transport restrictions converter transformers. into than one group per pole is not new, in fact it was used in the mercury arc valve projects from the A scheme with more (size and weight) of the

needed for each separate pole.Each twelve pulse group will have a separate valve hall with six double valves and six single phase two

groups per pole and the operation experience excellent.The arrangement be same as for the 500 kV projects but with all equipment rated for 800 kV. is The the only by-pass new equipment almost on the the DC-yard will is

auxiliary systems should be revised, reflecting different requirements onreliability availability also the and and new the

winding transformers penetrating the hall, i.e. the same arrangement as for the recent 500 kV, 3000 MW projects.

configuration.It is envisaged that the two poles will be totally independent and

arrangement with disconnectors and high-speed breakersfor group, each

with above

withstand the

given system. Too loose resultsin equipment, results in costly schemes shielding. Regarding margins,a similar situation appears: too small margins result in costly equipment failures, too large margins result in costly equipment. There is a human factor in the latter aspect, Adding though: margins arrester and control costly and

savings engineering the savings

in are in

characteristics expected stresses. Then, as is normal in medium or high voltage, the expected stresses are controlled by a combination arresters shielding. difference of and The for

far outweighed by equipment by a judicious margins. Case Study An has dc side of insulation been an coordination study performed for the 800kV HVDC choice and application of

too tight control

800kVDC is that it is economically beneficial control to the

transmission system. The data for the system has been available estimates to the authors colleagues, regard preliminary design of the equipment expected for such an installation. as the Further, with to assumed based on the best

expected stresses to an even higher degree, INSULATION COORDINATIO N General For ideas insulation coordination applied are for the same as those lowervoltages; i.e. to have equipment 800kVDC for stations, the basic and to revise the steps leading from the expected stresses to the desirable insulation withstand; i.e. the insulation margins.One has to remember that both aspects aim at improving the economy of a

may save some engineering costs. For 800kVDC, mainly due to the high non-linearity in the relationship between withstand and necessary clearances, the

study progresses,

it fine to

became adjustments the yield

HVDC

schemes

arrester proved to be sensitive to and station design

important design converter stations.Still for

to the

apparent that one

of, e.g. 500kVDC. The reason is that even small in relatively result

optimize the line towers nearest the

parameters,

configuration would significant benefits: Splitting the two smoothing equal reactor function in inductances,one at the neutral, and one at the pole. Protection Scheme (Controlling the Stresses) In addition to the use of modern, effective very ratios steady highly arresters permitting good between

its use will have to be decided on a case-by-case basis. Another important aspect comes from the splitting mentioned of the

gains in stresses significant savings in equipment. The arresters beyond the usual ones were located to directly Valve converter transformers at the uppermost 6-pulse bridge 800kVDC bus outside the upper smoothing reactor with arresters on the bus protected several at protect: side of

another aspect is the locations of arresters enough protected equipment, so that distance effects will be negligible. The combination of this principle with the natural distances between different pieces of equipment in an 800kVDC station leads to more arresters, even at the same bus, and for the same protective levels. Insulation Margins (Deriving Withstand from Stress) to close the

smoothing reactor. By balancing the inductance it is possible to reduce the arresters upper ripple in the appearing on the 12-pulse

group, making it possible to lower their aspect incoming lightning surges is also Apart normal profitable. from the shielding protective third is that the level.The controlling

specific locations Smoothing reactor on pole side 800kVDC bus on valve side of smoothing reactor The cost to benefit ratio of this

state voltage and protective levels, the included protection more scheme arrived at arresters than are usually applied at

at the station, it is

At the resulting stresses 800kVDC equipment extremely important to have safety and economy dictated margins. There is no based subjective appreciations.Perh aps even more important: there is no rationale for increasing calculated withstand levels to the next higher standard level, since there is no interchangeability of equipment between different stations normal lower where as for is ac room for on additional margins it is for

engineering testing cannot justified, simplification often applied

and costs be a is

equipment should be designed withstand actual to the stresses.

slightly

out

of

context leads to insulation margin levels that are not quite justified.Specifica lly, for thyristor valves, of and extension, same by the insulation

Then,depending on the materials, and the internal configuration to and resistivities dielectric permitivities, the ratio withstand capabilities close to may the such or may not be traditional factors. Therefore relationship factors have no reason to exist in 800kVDC insulation to them, coordination.They increase the cost of equipment; yet only give a false sense reasoning of taken security.Another between parts of different the

by forcing a ratio between insulation withstands switching lightning At the necessary equipment 800kVDC, voltage

margins used for conventional equipment have been required in some HVDC transmissions. There are a couple of points same important why the margins

surges. levels for at the stresses and are

for all kinds of phenomena transients carefully calculated. So are the stresses equipment designed withstand internal for

need not be used in the thyristors, and not in the grading extremely circuits. well One point is the controlled voltage grading along the valve, transiently, dynamically, and even as a function of time

and so are the tests that verify them. UHVDC, At the

equipment.At voltages, high

after

application

the

research

existing converter stations, performing laboratory and achievements tests on technical

of a dc field, and even as the years pass. Also the are also from ambient conditions well This different conventional equipment. Because above, of the the is controlled.

program related to 800 kV HVDC [3], for the transmission line as well as for the converter equipment. research on the The project external

equipment, design rules for HVDC insulators been up to 800 kV. Operational Experience ABB performed review on operational experience of the existing stations worldwide. . The operational experience existing from HVDC HVDC has a the has established

insulation for 800 kV was awarded to STRI in 1992 by ABB. A large numbers performed of in experiments were STRIs laboratory with pollution test ability up to 1200 kV DC. Some of the outcomes of these studies were published successively since EXTERNAL INSULATION General The study of external insulation is considered as one key topic for 1993 on various international conferences the efforts evaluating [4][8]. As a result of combined on

insulation margins for the thyristor valves need not cope as with for, the e.g. same uncertainties outdoor equipment.

stations, from 250 to 600 kV, has shown theflashover has no that rate direct

of these stations correlations to the voltage levels of

the stations. It has also shown that there is no tendency and need to choose a higher value distance level. very low flashover rate of 0.05 per pole per year 80 has poles been (47 around achieved in total stations) for the specific creepage because With of higher voltage suitable design, a

The important

most factor

therefore

very

joint activity

research between

important to map the pollution at a future HVDC site. In order to make this a possible, portable test that ABB can provide station

for the design of external insulation is the actual site conditions, as well as what is expected for the future since the specific creepage distance by the will site mainly be decided pollution severity. Also factors such as site altitude must be known

BDCC of SGC, EPRI and ABB, this portable test station has been utilized pollution measurements for Three The measurements performed Huangdo Guojiagang in a on and sites GorgesShanghai projects. in site

measures airborne pollution, collects weather data like wind, humidity rain, and

temperature. Also high DC voltage (100 energize insulators to be set up at the test kV) is to generated

will be presented separate publication . Laboratory Tests

the world supplied by ABB. Good operational experiences silicone insulators, with than also obtained. Site Conditions with rubber even shorter that of have been to allow for

station, measure

to the

Laboratory

tests

with pollution and with uneven rain have performed been on

pollution gathered by the energized insulators. the current is continuously measured for each individual insulator. In a Also leakage

creepage distance porcelain,

different type of insulators.Insulato rs also compared of different been in shed profiles have

proper atmospheric corrections. It is

laboratory tests. It is also clear from laboratory studies that for a SDD level equal to or higher 0.05mg/cm2, then a

verified

in

the

stations.When possible, composite silicone rubber HVDC TRANSMISSION S surface are of is the need secure for more power of :POWER CONVERSIONS APPLICATIONS IN POWER SYSTEMS

laboratory tests.

Other Considerations The most effective way to reduce the risk for flashovers in the converter station the is of of The the course to reduce number insulators. to have

insulators,with superior properties, solution complex course to build an indoor DC yard, as has been done at Zhengping converter station. This with pollution. should be high considered at sites

linear relationship holds between the required creepage distance and the applied for the same type of insulator. dimensioning the This of fact simplifies the insulation, voltage

used. The ultimate external insulation

grids and growing environmental concerns continue to drive the global deployment HVDC technology. HVDC characterized numerous advantages; lower overall smaller environmental footprint; integration sources; transmission stability and easier with and costs; a is by of

state of the art is converter transformer bushings protruding into the valve hall, thus reducing the number of wall bushing. Also the old type of direct current transducers been with current transducers in modern converter has optical replaced

when the pollution level is known. The effects of various palliative methods, such as hydrophobic coatings booster have the also not and sheds only

been reviewed in operational but experience

alternative energy above all, higher

power years

quality. old, the to the

authors readers practical applications, while providing

walk through

To

address

the

providing

the

Although over 50 technology continues address rapidly evolve. To pressing need for an up-to-date, Ato-Z treatment of the subject, Drs. Kim on and this Sood key and The have collaborated textbook professional reference. work materials both Sood, latest results, includes from electronics, control, simulation backgrounds. The and Kim combines from and the and the power

pressing need for an up-to-date, Ato-Z treatment of the subject, Drs.

broader historical context and future development HVDC technology. Presents case and of

basic theory and

also the

Kim on

and this

Sood key and The

have collaborated textbook professional reference. work materials both Sood, latest results, includes from electronics, control, simulation backgrounds. The authors readers practical applications, while also walk through and Kim combines from and the and the power studies basic deployments headed by worldrenowned experts how Demonstrates to design, and HVDC in the covering

broader historical context and future development HVDC technology. of

advanced HVDC

classroom-tested

compactly research

summarizes

analyze maintain systems field

classroom-tested

insights of experts

- Provides updates on new HVDC technologies, such as active power filters, systems Rounds out readers' understanding with chapters dedicated to the PWM, VSC, and 800 KV

compactly research

summarizes

insights of experts

basic theory and

key main design

areas

of and

environments. HDVC of can issues, of AC fault and of the will an resolve a number including voltage stability power reducing current, optimal management electric ensuring technology play increasingly important role in the electric power industry. To address the pressing need for an up-to-date and comprehensive power, networks,

materials North

from America

application, HVDC Transmission delivers comprehensive

simulation

circuit

and Asia, HVDC Transmission compactly summarizes latest results, includes from systems, electronics, simulation backgrounds. The authors readers practical applications, while providing also the walk through the and the power power and research

- Introduces wind power system interconnection with HVDC Arms readers an of HVDC with understanding future trends

working knowledge power transmission researchers, advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in engineering programs. The book is also a useful reference to for engineers and students areas focused such as on closely related renewable energy and power system planning. Siemens AG and power and to utility

engineers, power

insights of experts

basic theory and

broader historical context and future development HVDC technology. Balancing theoretical instruction practical with of

HVDC is a critical solution to several major problems encountered when trying to maintain systemic links and quality in largescale energy renewable

treatment of the subject, and Lee Kim, have to Sood, Jang, Lim collaborated

produce this key text and reference. Combining classroom-tested

its

Indian

arm

Siemens Ltd have won an order from Adani Power Ltd

to India's private voltage current The

construct longest high direct (HVDC) bipolar

around Rs 1,500 crore. The from 4,620-mw in Gujarat line will power Adani coalto In Meanwhile, power plant the is 4,620-mw Mundra transmit likely to see its first unit (of 330 mw) commissioning by June. The boiler light-up 25. took place on March Incidentally, Adani Power Ltd is also developing a 1,980-mw coalwith Power fired power plant at Tiroda will in sell Maharashtra. Adani the Tiroda built. 2,000 through 413-km These projects, aggregating 6,600 mw, form the bulk of Adani Power's goal of achieving a power portfolio of 9,900 mw. The mw the 1,320 mw from underplant to two construction Maharashtra.

remaining mw from will

3,300 come two

proposed plants at Dahej in Gujarat and Kawai in Rajasthan. The Control WIN-TDC and

transmission line. 500kV line will traverse 1,000 km from Mundra in Gujarat Mohindergarh and its to in

Power's upcoming fired power plant Haryana.

Protection System plays an important role in the successful implementation of HVDC transmission systems. reliability redundant fault High is and tolerant

August last year, APL had entered into a power purchase agreement Haryana Generation Corporation Ltd to sell for 1,424 which worth of power, Mundra-

Haryana. Siemens Indian the also outfit, apart from constructing line, will

build the HVDC terminal at from supporting infrastructure the project en is to by 2011 route. Phase-I of scheduled commission February the stations two all

guaranteed with a

extremities, apart

design. Flexibility (through choice of optional dynamic performance were the for development prerequisites the of control centres) and high

Mohindergarh line is being Another Gujarat the

mw will be sold to

and the second, in July that year. The order is valued at

dedicated 400kV line from Mundra to Dehgam.

our control and protection system.

Knowledge gained from over 30 years of and of operational experience parallel use

(HMI) workstations, the control and protection systems down to the state of the art measuring equipment for DC current have and been voltage quantities upgraded to take advantage of the latest software and hardware developments. These control and protection systems are based on the

Control protection (Simatic TDC)

and level

protection

and

auxiliary systems, the reliability and availability will be as good as, or even better than, for converters at lower voltage. REFERENCES [1] for Above kV,EPRI 3892, 2115-4, report 1985 [2] for Cigr Group [3] Krishnayya, Lambeth, Maruvada, N.G.Trinh, Desilets, Nilsson, G. S.L. An HVDC Voltages Working 14.32, P.C.S. P.J. P.S. Converter Stations Above 600 kV, HVDC Voltages 600 ELProject Final February Converter Stations

Field level (I/Os, time tagging, interlocking) 800 kV HVDC is economically attractive for bulk power transmission, 6000 MW, over long distances, km. of 2000-2500 experience

similar technology in related fields has been built into the sophisticated technology we can offer today. Main for objectives

implementation of the HVDC control system are reliable energy transmission which highly and responds demand contributing All the operates efficient flexible to thus to

With the present HVDC as a sound base, it is possible to 800 realize kV an with HVDC system for reasonable efforts is in R&D by using building that used have for blocks been lower With proper and

standard products with a product life cycle for the next 25 years. The control divided into the following hierarchical levels: Operator control level (WIN CC)

energy flow that sudden changes in

December 2002

network stability. WIN-TDC Human components from Machine Interface

voltages. and control

proper separation structure of the

evaluation of the R& requirements developing HVDC converter stations voltages for above D for

Colloquium,2.9, New Delhi, Sept. 1 to 2, 1993 [5] D. Wu, R. Hartings, strm, Investigations on the kV transmission systems,Proceedi ngs of the on international Conference Power Technology, System outdoor DC insulation of 800 U

600 kV, CIGR 1988 Session, 1401. [4] W. Lampe, D. Wu, Dimensioning outdoor insulation for 800 SC kV 33 transmission, CIGR