1

EVALUATION OF HVDC TRANSMISSION FOR

DC MICROGRID CLUSTERS (February 2017)
Ntuthuzelo Pakade. Dr. M. Adonis (Mentor/Supervisor) Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering (Power Electronics Stream).

Abstract High Voltage Direct Current transmission (HVDC)
Systems are finding increased use for long distance transmission
of electrical energy from remote hydro electric generating
stations to the load centers. The area of reliability evaluation of
HVDC transmission systems has not attracted much attention in
the past. The situation is changing as more and more DC links
are being built, the need to develop methods for assessing the
impact of these links on the overall system adequacy is
increasing. This report presents the evaluation of High Voltage
Direct Current transmission. It entails the historical development
of HVDC transmission system that will be used for DC microgrid
clusters. It demonstrates the modeling of HVDC transmission
network as well as it broadly shows the design of a step down and
boost DC-DC converter that are used at each point they are
required to adjust the high voltage transmitted via HVDC system
accordingly. The most useful tool of this report is the simulation
of the network. The results obtained substantiate and show the
content of this report by showing the effectiveness of HVDC.
Index TermsHigh Voltage Direct Current, High Voltage
Alternating Current, Boost converter, Buck converter, Inverter,
Transmission costs, Environmental impact, Efficiency
CHAPTER 1
I. INTRODUCTION
asynchronous ties. DC links are becoming increasingly
important in the growth of economy and development of large
interconnected power systems in countries with substantial
renewable energy, hydro electric power potential and the ones
with good sunny weather conditions to drive solar panels [2].
The transmission of HVDC is not practically 100% efficient
but means are done to approach the close approximation. A
key research challenge is to cost effectively and reliably make
use of new conductor materials with extremely low resistivity
in order to eliminate/reduce the power losses present in
conventional transmission systems
This report will demonstrate the evaluation of HVDC system
reliability, performance and the impact on the overall
generation for DC microgrid clusters.
II. WHY IS HVDC THE NEW WORLD TECHNOLOGY IN
POWER TRANSMISSION OVER THE COMMONLY USED
HVAC FOR DC MICROGRID CLUSTERS?
Many renewable sources such as photovoltaic, wind and fuel
cells generate direct current that needs to be converted to
Alternating current. AC is currently the main driving force in
the industries and residential areas, but for the long
transmission line, AC transmission is more expensive than
Direct Current [1]. Technically, AC transmission line control
is more complicated because of the frequency, hissing and
eddy currents. HVDC transmission does not use frequency and
has fewer limitations in transmitting maximum power to the
user end. This has led to building long HVDC transmission
lines based on many advantages and benefits it had to offer.
The HVDC technology has made possible to transfer bulk

M any renewable sources such as photovoltaic, wind

and fuel cells generate direct current that needs to
be converted to Alternating current. AC is currently
the main driving force in the industries and residential areas,
but for the long transmission line, AC transmission is more
power over long distances.

DC links have found use in interconnecting neighboring

power systems of different frequency thereby forming
asynchronous ties. DC links are becoming increasingly
expensive than Direct Current [1]. Technically, AC
important in the growth of economy and development of large
transmission line control is more complicated because of the
interconnected power systems in countries with substantial
frequency, hissing and eddy currents. HVDC transmission
renewable energy, hydro electric power potential and the ones
does not use frequency and has fewer limitations in
with good sunny weather conditions to drive solar panels [2].
transmitting maximum power to the user end. This has led to
building long HVDC transmission lines based on many
The transmission of HVDC is not practically 100% efficient
advantages and benefits it had to offer. The HVDC technology
but means are done to approach the close approximation. A
has made possible to transfer bulk power over long distances.
key research challenge is to cost effectively and reliably make
use of new conductor materials with extremely low resistivity
DC links have found use in interconnecting neighboring
power systems of different frequency thereby forming

in order to eliminate/reduce the power losses present in
conventional transmission systems
This report will demonstrate the evaluation of HVDC system
reliability, performance and the impact on the overall
generation for DC microgrid clusters.
III. PROBLEM STATEMENT
AC has been preferred globally for electrical generation and
transmission to consumers for the past years and yet high-
voltage AC transmission has some limitations starting with
transmission capacity and distance constraints, the
impossibility of directly connecting two AC power networks
of different frequencies. The AC way of generating electricity
is mostly carbonised and a threat to the environment and
human life atlarge. The electrical transmission grid mostly
uses three phase alternating current for direct current
generated electricity resulting in alternating current associated
loses such as eddy currents and I2R loses.
Figure 1: Air pollution from AC generation [11]
IV. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS/HYPOTHESIS
As stated on the problem statement, the use of HVDC is used
to decarbonise the electricity industry and meet the increasing
power demand efficiently.
Transmitting bulk amount of electricity over long distances is
a challenge due to existence of I2R losses that are proportional
to the transmission line loses length. With existence of HVDC
seemed not being a challenge anymore.
HVDC uses DC-DC converters to perform different purposes
considering minimum practical loses. Ideally the two
converters are made to give out 100% efficiency whereas
practically they give lesser than that but closer. These
converters are called the boost (stepping up the voltage whilst
minimising the current) and the buck (stepping down the
voltage and adjusting the current to suit the loads at the
receiving end). They perform their function by using the
MOSFETs as a switch for high frequency and low power
consumption because the aim is to accumulate the maximum
efficiency with no power losses as compared to be using the
linear component such as resistors that dissipate a lot of power
and reduce the overall efficiency.
2
When it comes to transmission we normally rely on copper
and copper has its own internal resistance.
V. AIM
HVDC transmission method is the best because it transmits
more electrical power over longer distances than a similar
alternating current transmission system, which means fewer
transmission lines are needed, saving both money and land. In
addition to significantly lowering electrical losses over long
distances, HVDC transmission is also very stable and easily
controlled, and can stabilize and interconnect AC power
networks that are otherwise incompatible. The HVDC market
is growing rapidly and has become an important part of many
transmission grids because it can connect remote sources
(microgrid clusters) of electrical generation.
The HVDC transmission system is an integral part of the
electrical power system, with improved stability and
reliability. The HVDC systems core component is the power
converter, which serves as the interface with the AC
transmission system. The conversion from AC to direct
current (DC) and vice versa is achieved by controllable
electronic switches, called valves.
CHAPTER 2
I. COMPARISON OF HVDC AND HVAC
The two methods (HVAC and HVDC) of transmission system
are compared below based on their advantages and
disadvantages so that the reliability and all the benefits of
HVDC can be clearly shown.
Table 1: High Voltage AC [14]
High Voltage Alternating Current
Advantages of HVAC Disadvantages of HVAC
AC Circuit breakers are In AC line, the size of conductor is
cheaper than DC circuit greater than DC Line and their
breakers. number on each pole is three
conductors per 3 phases whereas
DC uses minimum cables.
The repairing and The cost of AC Transmission lines
maintenance of AC is greater than DC Transmission
power station is easy lines.
and cheaper than DC
Substation
AC voltage may be In AC lines, there is Capacitance,
varied up and down skin effect and inductance so
using step up or step continuously power loss when no
down transformer. load on lines.
 3

Table 2: High Voltage DC [14] Buck converter

Input voltage 11KV
Output voltage 600V
High Voltage Direct Current Frequency 50KHZ
Input power = Output power 75KW
Advantages of HVDC Disadvantages of HVDC % ripple 2%
Boost Converter
No limits in transmitted Converters are expensive.
distance. Input voltage 600V
Output voltage 11KV
Very fast control of power Converters generate Frequency 500KHZ
flow, which implies stability harmonic, require filters. Input power = Output power 75KW
improvements, not only for the % ripple 2%
HVDC link but also for the
surrounding AC system. BOOST CONVERTER CALCULATIONS
HVDC transmissions have a Multi terminal or network
high availability and reliability operation is not easy. Duty Circle
rate.
HVDC can carry more power Converters require much 3.1
=
for a given size of conductor. reactive power.

11000600
CHAPTER 3 =
11000

I. EVALUATION OF HVDC FOR DC MICROGRID = 0.945

CLUSTERS
Load resistor
This is the main core of this report. It explains each
components functionality starting from the microgrids power 2 3.2
=
plants, the HVDC transmission and up to the consumers side.
The evaluation of HVDC transmission for DC microgrid
clusters is shown using the PSim simulation software. In this 110002
chapter the deliverables of the project are well narrated and =
75000
presented accordingly. As from my supervisor I was expected
to: = 10.083

a) Design a DC to DC buck converter and DC to DC boost Period (T)

converter.
b) Model a suitable network (Explain each component). 1 3.3
=
c) Table the simulation results (I have used the graphs).
1
The acquired knowledge from the electrical power systems =
has helped me with the deep understanding of power flow 50000
diagrams as well as electrical transmission and distribution.
= 20
Power electronics IV, System simulation IV and electrical
protections IV are the major subjects that I used upon the
completion of this report.
Input Power
a) DESIGN A DC TO DC BUCK CONVERTER AND DC TO DC
BOOST CONVERTER
= 3.4
THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
= 600 20
Table 3: Design specifications

DC power plant = 12000

Voltage 600V
Current 20A
Output power 75KW Ideally there are no loses therefore output equals the input
power.
 4

Minimum Capacitance
Output current
3.5 2 (1 ) 3.10
= =
8
(600) (20 106 )2 (1 0.0545)
12000 =
= = 1.091 8 (2%of 600) 283.65 106
11000
= 8.333
Minimum inductance

(1 )2 3.6 III. THE HVDC GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION NETWORK

= EXPLAINED
2

(20 103 ) 11000 0.945(1 0.945)2 The system simulated below (figure: 2) generates the DC
= electricity using PV solar panels arranged in multiples to
2 1.091
form an array. The generated power is monitored by the
= 288.221 charge controller that some of its functions is to prevent
overcharging and battery drainage which reduces the
Minimum Capacitances batteries lifespan. The regulated 600V is fed to the battery
bank that feeds the boost converter input.
3.7
= Its normally challenging to transmit power over a long

distance as the I2R losses reduce the power with the square
(20 106 ) (11000) (0.945) of the current. Resistance of the transmission cable is fixed
= according to the cables length and material or other factors
2% 11000 10.083 103 affecting the resistance. The current on the cables is then
reduced by increasing the voltage to a very high amount that
= 93.72
is 11KV. This makes the square of the current to be much
smaller to have an effected on the transmitted power and
thus resulting in minimum power loss.
II. BUCK CONVERTER CALCULATIONS HVDC transmission line conductors carry the DC current
over long distances with very low losses as the current is set
Frequency, period load resistor and power are the same as to be at its minimum. The transmission lines are supported
with the boost. by the towers and there is a separation between transmission
lines and towers of which is done by the insulators that are
Duty circle forming the protective mechanism [6].

3.8 As the high voltage riches the other end, it is then stepped
=
down using the buck converter. The buck converter steps
down the voltage back to its original value before it was
600 stepped up for transmission purposes and the current
= increases accordingly meeting the load requirements.
11000
From the output of the step down converter, various loads
= 0.0545 are set to be connected.

Minimum inductance
To meet the need of consumers who are already using mostly
Inductance current equals the input current. AC appliances, an inverter can be used to convert the DC
current to the required AC. In this report, does not focus on
(1 ) 3.9 the receiving or consumers side but mostly focused on the
= generation and transmission [4].
2

(600) (20 106 )(1 0.0545)

=
2 20

= 283.65
 5

3.2.2 Efficiency at 50% more load

Figure 2: PSim simulated network.

3.2 SIMULATION RESULTS SHOWN IN GRAPHS

The result below are obtained based or the variation of the

load resistor RL2. Load resistor is varied to determine the
Figure 4: Efficiency at 50% more load
efficiency of the system under the following conditions:
3.2.1 Normal load
3.2.2 50% above normal load
3.2.3 75% above normal load. 3.2.3 Efficiency at 75% more load
The normal load is 30 from the buck converter side and it
represents the consumers.

3.2.2 Normal load efficiency

Figure 5: Efficiency at 75% more load

Figure 3: Efficiency under normal load


3.3
3.3.1 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF NORMAL LOAD
The evaluation is looking at the HVDC transmission for
DC microgrid clusters. For simulation purposes one
cluster has been used although practically there can be
multiples of clusters connected to a bus bar. The
simulated DC microgrid system gave out up to 90%
efficiency as can be seen in graph of figure: 10.
3.3.1
= 100 is still new and there are few regulations put in place to guide
168
= 100
186
= 90%
There has been a power loss due to reactive power circulation
and harmonics as can be seen from the initial input voltage
going to the boost converter in figure: 5 and the one going to
the buck converter in figure: 8. A number of Renewable
Energy Supplies including wind energy can be clustered
around the common dc bus to form an energy park namely the
combined DC microgrids. In that way, the systems efficiency
can be increased drastically and issues such as reactive power
circulation and harmonics avoided [10].
3.3.2 RESULTS ON LOAD VARIATION
As the load R2 got increased beyond the set limit determined
by the design calculations. The output power decreased as
well as the overall efficiency. This means that DC can be
stable as long as the load is within prescribed limits.
4. CONCLUSION
Currently, the existing power system infrastructure is the one
of AC power. This makes the power system infrastructures
that wish to incorporate renewable energy sources to first
convert the DC power produced by these energy sources to
AC. This adds complexity and reduces the overall efficiency
of the power system due to the need of a power converter.
Furthermore there is currently an ever increasing number of
DC consuming devices such as laptops, televisions, home
theater systems, cell phone chargers and computers are being
incorporated into our buildings. The power supplied to the
above mentioned devices needs to be converted to DC using
the rectification process that has low efficiency adding further
losses and complexity (requiring more DC filters) to the power
system.
This report has demonstrated the use of a DC distribution
system as a standalone system and shown its effectiveness as
6
compared to when the DC power is interconnected with the
AC power system as it increases the number of converters
meaning the overall efficiency is reduced accordingly per
conversion point.
Several AC and DC systems have been compared. Based on
the efficiency results, the conclusion is that a high voltage DC
distribution system is more efficient than AC.
The DC to DC converters have high efficiency. To
substantiate a DC distribution system, advancements in DC-
DC converter technology are significantly needed as the
protection of DC-DC is still not well researched as the system
the researchers.
5. REFERENCIES
[1] K. Meah, S. Member, S. Ula, and S. Member,
Comparative Evaluation of HVDC and
HVAC Transmission Systems, pp. 15,
2007.
[2] C. Chan, DC Microgrids, pp. 115, 2013.
[3] M. Ramamoorty, High voltage direct current
transmission, J. Inst. Eng. Electr. Eng. Div., vol. 70,
no. 23, pp. 97103, 1989.
[4] O. Oederra, H. Odriozola, E. Planas, I. Lpez, and
V. Lpez, Overview of DC technology - Energy
conversion Key words DC systems, no. 11, 2013.
[5] Abb, Introducing HVDC, 2014.
[6] S. Backhaus, G. W. Swift, S. Chatzivasileiadis,
W. Tschudi, and S. Glover, Los Alamos
National Laboratory DC Microgrids Scoping
Study Estimate of Technical and Economic
Benefits.
[7] Ambra Sannino, Giovanna Postiglione, and Math
H. J. Bollen, Feasibility of a DC Network for
Commercial Facilities, IEEE Transactions on
Industry Applications, vol. 39, No. 5,
September/October 2003.
[8] Alessandro Clerici, Luigi Paris, Per Danfors,
HVDC conversion of HVAC lines to provide
substantial power upgrading, IEEE Transactions
on Power Delivery, Vol. 6, No.1 January 1991.
[9] H. Pang, E. Lo, B. Pong, Dc Electrical
Distribution Systems in Buildings, International
Conference on Power Electronics Systems, Nov.
2006, page(s): 115-119.
[10] K. Engelen, E. Shun, P. Vermeyen, I. Pardon, R.
Dhulst, J Driesen, R. Belmans, The Feasibility
of Small-Scale Residential