HVDC TRANSMISSION

F. M. Gatta, A. Geri, S. Lauria, M. Maccioni, G. M. Veca

Universit degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica Via Eudossiana n 18, 00184 Roma, Italia

Presented by Prof. Stefano Lauria

28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

INTRODUCTION

In the past ...

At the beginning of 20th century, DC (Direct Current) was superseded by AC (Alternating Current) for large-scale electrification. DC power did nevertheless survive, in applications like electric traction and drives.

Introduction Applications

Integration
NAIG links

Today ...
Today, bulk power systems are 3-phase AC, while utilization is either 1-phase or 3-phase AC.

In Europe ...
Continental Europe is actually a single AC power system, running synchronously at 50 Hz, spanning from Portugal to Poland and Greece!

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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UCTE
Introduction UCTE History Applications Integration NAIG links

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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History of events

1930s
Efficient static AC/DC conversion (mercury arc valves) was made possible.

Introduction UCTE History Applications Integration NAIG links

1940s
High Voltage DC (HVDC) bulk power transmission was studied in Germany.

1954
First commercial application in Sweden: submarine link between mainland and Gotland island (100 kV-20 MW-90 km).

1970s
Thyristors (SCRs) took over; today, HVDC operation voltages attain 600 kV, transmitted power over 3000 MW.

Today ...
DC made its way back into bulk power systems!

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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TYPICAL HVDC APPLICATIONS

There are three typical HVDC applications:
Introduction Applications

Integration

1. 2.

Interconnection of non-synchronous AC power systems, even at different frequencies. Power transmission over long undersea cable links, if the AC solution requires intermediate compensation. Point-to-point, long-distance transmission of large blocks of power.

NAIG links

3.

For entries 1. and 2., HVDC is the only practical solution.

For entry 3. the choice of DC or AC transmission is a matter of technical-economic convenience.

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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Submarine transmission

1
Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

For a 380 kV-50 Hz AC submarine cable

maximum practical length is around 100 km transmissible power over a single circuit (3 cables) is around 1000 MW

A bipolar HVDC submarine link can transmit 1000 MW over several hundreds of km, with 2 cables
Sa.Pe.I., (Sardinia-Italy, under construction). 420 km, 500 kV, 1000 MW. NorNed (Norway-Netherlands) 580 km, 450 kV, 700 MW

Several HVDC links in operation or planned in Italy 6

HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

Submarine transmission

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SACOI Threeterminals monopolar link, 200 kV 300 MW (Sardinia Corsica Tuscany) Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

SAPEI Bipolar link, 500 kV 1000 MW (Sardinia Latium)

GRITA Monopolar link 400 kV 500 MW (Italy Greece)

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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Submarine transmission
Francia

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Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

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Italia SACOI (300 MW)

Croazia

There are also other feasibility studies by TERNA

Albania

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SAPEI (500+500 MW)

1
5001000 MW

GRITA (500MW)

2
500 1000 MW

3
5001000 MW

Preliminary studies
Algeria Tunisia Libia

1 - completed 2 - completed 3 - underway 4 - underway 5 - to be performed 6 - to be performed

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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Long-distance transmission

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Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

HVDC overland links are usually bipolar, on overhead lines. Compared to AC, DC transmission has several advantages
HVDC overhead lines are less expensive and require narrower right-of-ways. Line losses (Joule and corona) are also smaller. Angular stability and reactive power balance are not a concern: there is no need of intermediate switching/compensating stations.

As a consequence, less DC lines than AC lines are actually needed to transmit the same power

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

Long-distance transmission

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Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

The main shortcomings lies in the AC/DC conversion stations due to their cost, large footprint and additional energy losses The comparison between all the above factors, dictates the convenience of AC or DC

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Siemens

HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca

28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

Long-distance transmission

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Introduction Applications Submarine 1 Submarine 2 Submarine 3 Long-dist. 1 Long-dist. 2 Long-dist. 3 Integration NAIG links

The AC vs. DC break-even distance can be loosely estimated at 600-800 km for a 3000 MW power transfer Some existing links
Itaipu (Brazil): 600 kV, 23150 MW, 785 km. Three Gorges (China, 2001-4): 2 links, 500 kV, 3000 MW each, 890 and 940 km

The current industry standard is 500 kV, 3000 MW for a single bipolar link
In the midterm, operation of 800 kV links is expected, trasmitting 5-6000 MW on a single line

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

INTEGRATION IN AC NETWORK
There are several conditions to satisfy:
Introduction Applications

Integration

1.

The AC nodes at the HVDC line terminals must be able to supply/evacuate the rated power of the DC link.

NAIG links

2.

The rated power of the DC link must be compatible with the TSOs operation rules: f.i. UCTE takes at 3000 MW the largest single loss of generation in the European system.
AC short-circuit power at the conversion stations must be sufficiently larger than DC rated power (say, ESCR>3; depends on adopted technology). 12
HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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3.

North Africa to Italy

1
Introduction Applications

There are no particular shortcomings aside from the cost of submarine cables: in the first stage (say, 3000 MW power transfer) up to 3 cables per pole are needed Other key points are:
Individuation and survey of cable routes in deep sea (see f.i. studies conducted for Sa.Pe.I. link) Identification of suitable EHV terminals in the Italian network (several powerful nodes on the Tyrrhenian coast, from Naples to Suvereto)

Integration
NAIG links NA to Italy NA to Italy Italy to G Italy to G 1 2 1 2

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

North Africa to Italy

2
Introduction Applications

SAPEI cable route attains 1600 m depth and required extensive surveys by means of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)

Integration
NAIG links NA to Italy NA to Italy Italy to G Italy to G 1 2 1 2

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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Italy to Germany

1
Introduction Applications

At an initial stage (e.g. 2-3000 MW) the existing 380 kV AC network could be used. Italy permanently imports 6000 to 7000 MW through the alpine interconnections, mainly from France and Germany; the new, northbound flow would be mainly virtual. This solution, however, potentially interferes with the Italian energy market, capping the transfer capability between network zones Center, Center-North and North. Network expansion could be required.

Integration
NAIG links NA to Italy NA to Italy Italy to G Italy to G 1 2 1 2

Dedicated HVDC lines would solve Italian network problems. The key issue here, however, is the strong NIMBY attitude in Italy.

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
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Italy to Germany

2
Introduction Applications

The best long-term choice is probably represented by 800 kV overhead lines, despite their visual obtrusiveness. Routing is undoubtedly a problem. At a significant cost, HVDC underground cables could solve the public acceptance problem. If the auxiliary galleries of new railway tunnels are made available, cables would greatly simplify crossing the Alps.

Integration
NAIG links NA to Italy NA to Italy Italy to G Italy to G 1 2 1 2

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00

E-MAIL ADDRESSES

Prof. Fabio Massimo GATTA fabiomassimo.gatta@uniroma1.it

Prof. Alberto GERI alberto.geri@uniroma1.it

Prof. Stefano LAURIA stefano.lauria@uniroma1.it Marco MACCIONI marco.maccioni@uniroma1.it Prof. Giuseppe Maria VECA giuseppe.veca@uniroma1.it

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HVDC BERLIN '08 Prof.Giuseppe Veca
28/03/08 @ 14.30.00