LECTURE 8
Lecture Roadmap
High Voltage Direct Current Transmission system
Introduction
Comparison of HVDC & HVAC
Components of HVDC system
Graetz circuit
Types of DC links
Application of HVDC
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Introduction
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.
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 justified, 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.
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Intro…..History
Power Transmission was initially carried out in the early 1880s using Direct Current
(DC). With the availability of transformers (for stepping up the voltage for transmission
over long distances and for stepping down the voltage for safe use), the development of
robust induction motor (to serve the users of rotary power), the availability of the superior
synchronous generator, and the facilities of converting AC to DC when required, AC
gradually replaced DC.
In 1928, arising out of the introduction of grid control to the mercury vapour rectifier
around 1903, electronic devices began to show real prospects for high voltage direct
current (HVDC) transmission, because of the ability of these devices for rectification and
inversion.
The most significant contribution to HVDC came when the Gotland Scheme in Sweden
was commissioned in 1954 to be the World's first commercial HVDC transmission
system. This was capable of transmitting 20 MW of power at a voltage of -100 kV and
consisted of a single 96 km cable with sea return.
The biggest HVDC link today is the 6300MW, 300kV in Brazil.
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Comparison of AC and DC Transmission
Advantages of HVDC over AC:
A DC link allows power transmission between AC networks with different
frequencies or networks, which cannot be synchronized, for other reasons.
Inductive and capacitive parameters do not limit the transmission capacity or the
maximum length of a DC overhead line or cable. The conductor cross section is
fully utilized because there is no skin effect.
During bad weather conditions, the corona loss and radio interference are lower
for a HVDC line compared to that in an AC line of same voltage and same
conductor size.
Due to the absence of inductance in DC, an HVDC line offers better voltage
regulation. Also, HVDC offers greater controllability compared to HVAC.
Requires less number of conductors ~ reduced conductor cost.
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Merits….
• AC power grids are standardized for 50 Hz in some countries and 60 Hz in
other. It is impossible to interconnect two power grids working at different
frequencies with the help of an AC interconnection. An HVDC link makes
this possible.
• Interference with nearby communication lines is lesser in the case of HVDC
overhead line than that for an HVAC line.
• In longer distance HVAC transmission, short circuit current level in the
receiving system is high. An HVDC system does not contribute to the short
circuit current of the interconnected AC system.
• Power flow control is easy in HVDC link. Power control of the d.c. link is
faster and more accurate due to absence of rotating synchronous machines.
• High reliability.
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Disadvantages of HVDC transmission:
✓ Converters at both ends of the line are very expensive ~ voltage and power
to be transmitted must be high for the system to be economically viable.
✓ The converters generate both a.c. and d.c. harmonics. Filters have to be
introduced at both ends of the HVDC link.
✓ DC line blocks reactive power transfer. Reactive power has to be supplied
at the receiving-end to meet the demand by both the load and the inverters.
✓ It is very difficult to have a d.c. interconnected system with tee-junctions
due to difficulties experienced in switching d.c. systems. (Current does not
reduce to zero) and also there are no d.c. transformers.
✓ Circuit breaking is difficult in d.c. circuits; cost of circuit breakers is high.
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Typical layout of HVDC system:
The HVDC system has the following main components.
✓ Converter Station
✓ Converter Unit
✓ Converter Valves
✓ Converter Transformers
✓ Filters
AC filter
DC filter
High-frequency filter
✓ Reactive Power Source
✓ Smoothing Reactor
✓ HVDC System Pole
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Components of HVDC system
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Converter Station:
The terminal substations
which convert an AC to DC
are called rectifier terminal
while the terminal substations
which convert DC to AC are
called inverter terminal.
Every terminal is designed to
work in both the rectifier and
inverter mode. Therefore,
each terminal is called
converter terminal, or
rectifier terminal. A two-
terminal HVDC system has
only two terminals and one
HVDC line.
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Converter unit:
The conversion from AC to DC and vice versa is done in HVDC converter
stations by using three-phase bridge converters. This bridge circuit is also
called Graetz circuit. In HVDC transmission a 12-pulse bridge converter is
used. The converter obtains by connecting two or 6-pulse bridge in series.
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Converter transformer:
The converter transformer converts the AC networks to DC networks or vice
versa. They have two sets of three phase windings.
The AC side winding is connected to the AC bus bar, and the valve side winding
is connected to valve Bridge. These windings are connected in star for one
transformer and delta to another.
The AC side windings of the two, three phase transformer are connected in stars
with their neutrals grounded.
The valve side transformer winding is designed to withstand alternating voltage
stress and direct voltage stress from Valve Bridge.
There are increases in eddy current losses due to the harmonics current.
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Filters
The AC and DC harmonics are generated in HVDC converters. The AC harmonics are injected into the AC
system, and the DC harmonics are injected into DC lines. The harmonics have the following disadvantages.
It causes the interference in telephone lines; Due to the harmonics, the power losses in machines and capacitors
are connected in the system; The harmonics produced resonance in an AC circuit resulting in over voltages;
Instability of converter controls etc.
The harmonics are minimized by using the AC, DC and high-frequency filters.
AC Filters – The AC filters are RLC circuit connected between phase and earth.
They offered low impedances to the harmonic frequencies. Thus, the AC harmonic currents are passed to earth.
Both tuned and damped filters are used.
The AC harmonic filter also provided a reactive power required for satisfactory operation of converters.
DC Filters – The DC filter is connected between the pole bus and neutral bus. It diverts the DC harmonics to earth
and prevents them from entering DC lines. Such a filter does not require reactive power as DC line does not
require DC power.
High-Frequency Filters – The HVDC converter may produce electrical noise in the carrier frequency band from
20 kHz to 490 kHz. They also generate radio interference noise in the megahertz range frequencies. High-
frequency filters are used to minimise noise and interference with power line carrier communication.
Such filters are placed between the converter transformer and the station AC bus.
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Converter Valves
The modern HVDC converters use 12-pulse converter units. The total number of a valve in
each unit is 12. The valve is made up of series connected thyristor modules.
The number of thyristor valve depends on the required voltage across the valve. The valves
are installed in valve halls, and they are cooled by air, oil, water or Freon.
Reactive Power Source
Reactive power is required for the operations of the converters. The AC harmonic filters
provide reactive power partly. The additional supply may also be obtained from shunt
capacitors synchronous phase modifiers and static VAR systems. The choice depends on
the speed of control desired.
Smoothing Reactor
Smoothing reactor is an oil filled oil cooled reactor having a large inductance. It is
connected in series with the converter before the DC filter. It serve the following purposes.
➢ They smooth the ripples in the direct current.
➢ They decrease the harmonic voltage and current in the DC lines.
➢ They limit the fault current in the DC line.
➢ Smoothing reactors reduce the steepness of voltage and current surges from the DC line. Thus, the
stresses on the converter valves and valve surge diverters are reduced.
➢ Consequent commutation failures in inverters are prevented by smoothing reactors by reducing the
rate of rising of the DC line in the bridge when the direct voltage of another series connected
voltage collapses
HVDC System Pole:
The HVDC system pole is the part of an HVDC system consisting of all the
equipment in the HVDC substation.
It also interconnects the transmission lines which during normal operating
condition exhibit a common direct polarity with respect to earth.
Thus the word pole refers to the path of DC which has the same polarity
with respect to earth.
The total pole includes substation pole and transmission line pole.
Graetz circuit:
The basic module for HVDC converter is the three phase, full wave bridge
circuit.
This circuit is also known as a Graetz Bridge. The Graetz Bridge has been
universally used for HVDC converters as it provides better utilization of the
converter transformer and a lower voltage across the valve when not
conducting, this voltage is called Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV) and is
important for selection of the Thyristor.
The bridge converter is represented by the equivalent circuit in figure below
with transformer and source impedance with a loss less inductance.
Direct current is assumed to be ripple free and valves as ideal switches with
zero resistance when conducting and infinite resistance when not
conducting.
Graetz circuit
HVDC Transmission System DC Links Configurations
• Used for connecting two networks or system.
1. Monopolar link:
• It has a single conductor of negative polarity and uses earth or sea for the return path of
current. Sometimes the metallic return is also used. In the Monopolar link, two
converters are placed at the end of each pole. Earthling of poles is done by earth
electrodes placed about 15 to 55 km away from the respective terminal stations. But this
link has several disadvantages because it uses earth as a return path. The monopolar link
is not much in use nowadays.
2. Bipolar link
The Bipolar link has two conductors one is positive, and the other one is negative to
the earth. The link has converter station at each end. The midpoints of the converter
stations are earthed through electrodes. The voltage of the earthed electrodes is just
half the voltage of the conductor used for transmission the HVDC.
If any of their links stop operating, the link is converted into Monopolar mode because
of the ground return system. The half of the system continues supplies the power. Such
types of links are commonly used in the HVDC systems
3. Homopolar link:
It has two conductors of the same polarity usually negative polarity, and always
operates with earth or metallic return.
In the homopolar link, poles are operated in parallel, which reduces the insulation
cost. The homopolar system is not used presently.
Applications of HVDC transmission
Long distance bulk power transmission by overhead lines.
Underground and submarine cables.
Interconnection of a.c. system operating at different frequencies.
Back-to-back HVDC coupling stations; asynchronous interconnection.
Control and stabilization of power flows in a.c. interconnections of large
interconnected systems.
Connecting offshore wind: If the distance to the grid on land exceeds a
certain stretch, the only possible solution is HVDC - due to the technology’s
low losses.
Connecting remote loads: Islands and remotely located mines often have the
disadvantage of a weak surrounding ac grid. Feeding power into the grid
with an HVDC link, improves the stability and even prevents black-outs.
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