High-Voltage Direct Current Power Transmission System

Dept. of Electrical Engineering

Hanoi University of Science and Technology
Hanoi, Viet Nam

Abstract: There is growing use of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) globally
due to the numerous advantages of Direct Current (DC) transmission systems over
Alternating Current (AC) transmission, including enabling transmission over long
distances, advanced transmission capacity and effectively. Also, HVDC systems
can be a great enabler in the transition to a low carbon electrical power system
which is an important objective in moment’s society.

Keywords: high voltage direct current transmission; multiterminal HVDC; current

source converters; voltage source converters

1 Introduction

Originally one of the reasons Alternating Current (AC) systems displaced Direct
Current (DC) was because mills allowed effective vehicle of electricity by adding
the voltage for transmission and reducing the voltage to a position demanded for
application. Anyhow, of whether AC or DC is used there is always a need to use a
voltage position applicable for transmission distance and power being conveyed.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems have significant
advantages over AC transmission, as will be outlined latterly. Thus, in the
foreseeable future the power system will continue to be AC with the penetration of
DC systems adding over time. Not only is DC well established for High Voltage
(HV) systems, but there is adding interest internationally in using DC also for
medium and low voltage systems (MVDC and LVDC systems) [1]
A high penetration of DC systems into AC transmission and distribution networks
will provide numerous benefits for the transition to a low carbon power system.
This is particularly true when considering the connection of coastal windfarms,
where undersea cables are demanded [2], [3]. Also, by connecting two AC power
systems the stylish energy coffers can be employed, whereas when uncoupled,

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contaminating generation coffers would have to be used. A number of HVDC
schemes were erected to allow hydro generation to be exploited rather than using
non-renewable thermal generation to meet the cargo demand.
In the field of power electronics there are numerous converter technologies, and a
introductory bracket of AC/DC converters is given in Figure 1; still, only those
more suitable for HVDC will be developed upon in this paper. In order to
appreciate the literal developments in HVDC a brief review of HVDC technology
is given in Section 2. Having set the scene, the literal background of HVDC
systems is presented in Section 3. Some of the inventions made to the standard
schemes are detailed in Section 4. Section 5 discusses areas where farther
developments are demanded in HVDC systems. Eventually, a many concluding
commentaries are made in Section 6.

Power Converters

Current Source Voltage Source

Load
Current Source Multilevel Multilevel
PWM 2-Level VSI
Commutated

Neutral Point
MultiLevel Current Flying Capacitor Cascaded Hybrid Multi-level MultiLevel Voltage
6-pulse 12-pulse >12-pulse Clamped (NPC) or
Reinjection Converter
(FC) Technologies Technologies PWM Reinjection Converter

Higher Cascaded Modular Multilevel

3-Level VSI

Figure 1. Alternating Current (AC)/Direct Current (DC) Converter classification.

The development of HVDC systems is of consummate significance in achieving

effective vehical of electricity, hitching different AC systems, as well as integrating
renewable energy coffers [4], [5].

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2 Overview of HVDC system

2.1 Advantages of using HVDC systems.

 Asynchronous connection (can connect two AC power systems with different

frequentness).
 Solve numerous technical limitations: HVDC systems can transmit power
through a long cable line while HVAC systems cannot be due to the
influence of reactive power generated by the capacitive element. line
resistance.
 There is no increase in short circuit capacity.
 Transmitted reactive power can be controlled by independent control of
impedance, voltage and frequency.
 Lower power loss.
 The quantum of transmitted power is more advanced than HVAC with the
same type of captain, or the same transmission line.
 Construction corridors for HVDC lines are lower than HVAC.
 Provides better stable control of the HVAC system.

2.2 Power Electronic Switches

The abecedarian element in an AC/DC motor is a switch that can either be in the
“on” (i.e., conducting) or “off” state. The first switches used for HVDC systems
were mercury-bow faucets. These were also replaced by thyristors (shown in Figure
2a). A valve or thyristor is a switch in which turn-on is controlled by a gate
palpitation, but turn-off naturally occurs when the current drops to zero. In other
words, they cannot be turned-off by a gate signal and are hence appertained to as
Line commutated switches. Because of the voltage levels in HVDC schemes, one
switch in the motor (termed valve for literal reasons) comparted of numerous
thyristors in series.

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 Figure 2. Basic Solid-state switches (a) Thyristor or Silicon Controlled Recitifier
(b) Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
By discrepancy, Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) have the capability to
have both their turn-on and turn-off controlled by a gate signal and are nominated
tone-commutated switches (Figure 2b). An anti-parallel free-wheeling diode is
generally connected between the emitter and collector to allow bidirectional current
inflow through the combination. Gate turn-off thyristors (GTO), Metal-oxide-
semiconductor (MOS)-controlled thyristors (MCT) and integrated gate-
commutated thyristors (IGCT) are also tone-commutated switches.
Any figure of device conditions, similar as Figure 3 which displays the voltage
current standing of the colorful bias, snappily becomes out-of-date due to
advancements in technology; nevertheless, it is instructional to see the relative
conditions of bias as it gives sapience into their operation.

Figure 3. Voltage and current rating of solid-state switches.