121 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Technology:

An Alternative Means Of Power Transmission

Chijioke Joe-Uzuegbu, MIEEE and Gloria Chukwudebe, SMIEEE

Dept. of Electrical/Electronics Engineering
Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
joskie23@yahoo.co.uk, gloriachukwudebe@yahoo.com

Abstract— Energy consumption in the world is increasing,
as well as the demand for efficient and quality electric
power supply that ensures a greener environment.
Consequently, the deployment of renewable energy sources
has become imperative. The use of renewable resources
like hydropower, solar and wind cannot be possible
without electric transmission lines. High Voltage
Alternating Current (HVAC), though an established
technology of more than 100 years has its pros and cons.
This paper presents an investigation into the use of HVDC
technology as an alternative option for power
transmission, the benefits, economic and reliability issues
and most importantly, the environmental impact. In view
of the crucial role played by a reliable Electric Power
Transmission Grid in the economic development of
nations, the integration of HVDC technology is
recommended for developing countries, for neighboring
countries who want to share spinning reserves and for
developed countries who can tap the enormous solar and
wind energies from remote deserts/offshore islands.
Keywords- HVDC; Power Transmission; HVAC; Power
Grid; and Renewable Energy.
I. INTRODUCTION
When the choice was made between Alternating Current (AC)
and Direct Current (DC) technology about one hundred years
ago, the reasons for choosing AC were convincing. There
were two main arguments that made AC the best alternative:
the simplicity and efficiency of AC machines compared to DC
machines, and the possibility of using transformers to make
long distance AC transmission simpler and more flexible.
Since then a lot has happened in the development of HVDC
technology including its load and generation characteristics.
Converter valve technology has developed from mercury-arc
valves via thyristors to high frequency switched IGBTs
(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). Researchers and
manufacturers have also improved HVDC cable technology
with minimal losses compared to equivalent HVAC. Today,
with the increasing need for electricity and cleaner
environment, it has become imperative for countries of the
world to shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources
(hydro, wind and solar), which require transmission of power
over long distances. The traditional way of transmission of
power over long distances with HVAC has several issues.
Thus, the objective of this work is to investigate HVDC
technology, the economic, environmental and technical
consequences of using HVDC technology in the existing AC
power system network and for new installations.
II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HIGH
VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT (HVDC) SYSTEMS
It has been widely documented in the history of the electricity
industry, that the first commercial electricity generated by
Thomas Alva Edison was DC power. The first transmission
systems for electrical power were also DC systems. The
problem was that low voltage DC power could not be
transmitted over long distances, the DC machines were not
efficient, there were no semiconductor valves and therefore
the success for AC systems was inevitable. This gave rise to
High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) electrical systems
which in the very words of Edison “is as unnecessary as it is
dangerous, and has no element of permanency and every
element of danger to life and property” [1].
Nevertheless, with the development of high voltage valves, it
was possible to transmit DC power once again at high voltages
and over long distances, giving rise to HVDC transmission
systems.
The first HVDC valve was Hewitt’s mercury-vapor valve,
presented in 1901, but the first commercial HVDC
transmission was not until about 1954, when the 20MW ±
100kV link between the Swedish mainland and the island of
Gothland was commissioned. This facility was mercury-arc
based and it brought HVDC technology as an alternate
transmission facility to limelight [2].
Thereafter, with the emergence of semiconductor device
revolution, the first large HVDC transmission system designed
with thyristor technology was built in Canada in 1972. This
was a back-to-back asynchronous interconnection with a
rating of 320MW at ± 80kV. This followed the testing of the
thyristor technology on a smaller scale, for the upgrade of the
Gothland link in 1967 [2].
In 1976, an HVDC transmission project, the Skagerrak link
(500MW), between Norway and Denmark was commissioned
[3]. Since then, a large number of thyristor based HVDC

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122 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)
converters have been installed all over the world. The first
multi-terminal HVDC transmission, Quebec - New England
(2000MW ± 500kV) was commissioned in 1992 [3].
The numerous advances in thyristor and microprocessor
technologies have greatly improved HVDC installations and
applications. Consequently, by the late 1990’s, a new high
switching frequency component, Insulated Gate Bipolar
Transistors (IGBT), which uses pulse width modulation for
Voltage Source Controlled (VSC) Converter stations had
become matured. This new concept makes it possible to
control active and reactive power flow separately. So far, this
VSC technology has only been used for small or medium
power applications of the order of 600MW [4]. However
research is still on going to increase its capability.
A. HVDC Installations Around The World
Since the first commercial installation in 1954, a
huge amount of HVDC transmission systems have been
installed around the world. A pictorial view of major
HVDC links in the world is shown in [5]. The rationale
for choosing HVDC for some of the projects are listed as
follows:
• In Itaipu, Brazil, HVDC was chosen to supply
50Hz power into a 60Hz system, and to
economically transmit large amount of Hydro-
power (6300MW) over large distances (800km).
• In Leyton - Luzon project in Philippines, HVDC
was chosen to enable supply of bulk geothermal
power across an island interconnection, and to
improve stability to the Manilla AC network.
• In Rihand-Delhi project in India, HVDC was
chosen to transmit bulk (thermal) power-
1500MW to Delhi, to ensure minimum losses,
least amount right-of-way and better stability and
control.
• In Garabi, an independent transmission project
(ITP) transferring power from Argentina to
Brazil, HVDC back-to-back system was chosen
to ensure supply of 50Hz bulk (1000MW) power
to a 60Hz system under a 20 - year supply
contract.
• In Gothland, Sweden, HVDC was chosen to
connect a newly developed wind-power site to
the main city of Visby, in consideration of the
environmental sensitivity of the project area (an
archaeological and tourist area) and improve
power quality.
• In Queensland, Australia, HVDC was chosen to
interconnect two independent grids (New South
Wales and Queensland) to enable electricity
trading between the two systems (including
change of power direction flow), to ensure very
low environmental impact and reduce
construction time [6].
All these successful projects have become major application
areas for HVDC. The prospects are high and more research is
ongoing, the list of confirmed application areas for HVDC is
itemized in the next section.
B. HVDC Applications
Presently, the major players in HVDC technology can do
installations with losses of about 2 percent per 1000
kilometers and an additional 1.5 percent at the transmitting
and receiving ends. Research and development is continuing
for improved application areas. At the time of writing,
confirmed HVDC applications include:
• Power transmission of bulk energy through sea
cable.
• Power transmission of bulk energy through
long distance overhead line.
• Linking of systems with different frequencies
using back-to-back interconnection.
• Using HVDC transmission system to link
renewable energy resources, such as wind
power, when it is located far away from the
consumer.
The other application areas where HVDC nicely complements
the AC transmission system include:
Reduction of fault currents, bypass of network congestion,
sharing utility rights-of-way without degradation of reliability
and mitigation of environmental concerns [6].
III. HVDC TECHNOLOGY
HVDC has been in the market for 50 years. In an HVDC
transmission system, electric power is taken from a three-
phase AC network, converted to DC in a converter station,
transmitted to the receiving point by a cable or overhead line
and then converted back to AC in another converter station
and injected into the receiving AC network. Fig 3.1 shows a
simplified schema of an HVDC system with the basic
principles of transferring electric energy from one AC system
or node, to another in any direction. It consists of three blocks:
the two converter stations and the DC line. Within each station
block, there are several components involved in the
conversion of AC to DC and vice versa.
A. Components of A Converter Station
Every converter station has AC and DC sections. The
HVAC lines come into AC switchyard of the converter station.
The major components in the AC switchyard include: AC
filters, circuit breakers, disconnectors, busbars and shunt
capacitor banks. The AC feeds into the Converter transformers
123 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)

and the output from the transformer is converted to DC by
thyristors or IGBTs. A schematic diagram of an HVDC is
shown in Fig 3.2 and a three dimensional illustration is shown
in Fig 3.3[4].
for clearing transformer faults. Converter control is used for
clearing DC side faults.
Converter Transformer
The converter transformer is the second block in the Fig 3.3,
and it serves as a galvanic isolator between the AC and the DC
side. It transforms the voltage to an appropriate and optimum
level for the converter valves. Usually, they are of the single-
phase, three-winding type, but depending on the transportation
requirements and rated power, they can be arranged in other
ways.

Thyristor Valves
These are the most important components of the converter
station, since they make the conversion from AC to DC and
vice versa. The thyristor valves can be built up in different
ways, depending on its application and the manufacturer.

Smoothing Reactors
These are large inductances connected in series with each
pole. Its main functions are to limit the DC fault current and
reduce harmonic current caused by interruption from overhead
lines.
AC Switchyard
DC Filters
Converter transformers HVDC converters create harmonics in all operational modes.
Such harmonics can create disturbances in telecommunication
AC lines
Valve Hall
systems. Hence DC filters are used to reduce disturbances.

Auxiliary Systems
These include the transformer cooling systems, control and
DC Lines communication systems, and the internal station power supply
Shunt capacitors
with the battery backup. The valve cooling system is especially
critical, since an outage may result in serious damage of the
Harmonic filters valves.
DC Switchyard
B. Converter Technologies
The fundamental process that occurs in a HVDC system is
Fig 3.3: Three dimensional illustration of a Converter Station the conversion of electrical current from AC to DC (rectifier) at
[4]. the transmitting end, and from DC to AC (inverter) at the
receiving end. The two basic converter technologies used in
modern HVDC transmission systems are Line-commutated
The function of Converter station components are briefly Current Source Converters (CSC) and Self-commutated
described as follows. Voltage Source Converters (VSC) [4].
AC Filters The line-commutated CSC requires a synchronous voltage
They are used to absorb harmonic currents generated by the source in order to operate. The line CSCs can only operate with
HVDC converter, thus reducing the impact of the harmonics the AC current lagging the voltage, thus requiring lagging
on the connected AC system. They equally supply reactive power for the conversion process. The VSC-based systems are
power to the converter station. self-commutating with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
(IGBT) valves and solid dielectric extruded HVDC cables. The
Capacitor Banks control capability of the VSC gives it total flexibility to be
These are used to provide reactive power to the valves in the placed anywhere in the AC network since it has no restriction
converters. They consist of a series of capacitors connected in on minimum short-circuit capacity.
parallel to the transformer.

Circuit Breakers
The circuit breakers on the AC side of the converter
transformer are used to take the HVDC link out of service and
124 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)
IV. HVDC VS HVAC: BENEFITS/DRAWBACKS
A. Benefits of HVDC over HVAC
The emergence of semiconductor power devices such as
thyristors, IGBTs and microprocessors has increased the
benefits and opened up new application areas for HVDC. The
key benefits and limitations of HVDC over HVAC are briefly
discussed in the following section:
i) Long Distance Bulk Power Transmission
Although converter stations are more expensive than
AC stations, when large amounts of power are to be delivered
over long distances (> 600 km), HVDC transmission is a
preferred option. This is the so called break-even distance
(about 50km for submarine cables, and perhaps 600 – 800 km
for overhead cables), above this break-even distance the lower
cost of the HVDC electrical conductors outweighs the cost of
the electronics. In addition, HVDC cable losses are as low as
0.3 - 0.4% per 1000km.
Another key benefit for HVDC for long distance
power transmission is that the DC system requires fewer
conductors (two), one only for submarine with earth return,
smaller right-of-way and a less obtrusive tower than AC lines.
ii) Interconnection of Asynchronous HVAC Grids
Interconnections allow the sharing of spinning
reserves. However, the connection of independent systems
running at different frequencies is an issue for AC systems.
This issue is easily resolved by HVDC Back-to-Back stations
because DC removes any constraints concerning stability and
control [7].
iii) Limitation of Faults
With AC, interconnections provide doorways for the
propagation of disturbances. Faults causing depression of
voltage on power swings do not transmit across a DC barrier
hence, HVDC technology provides a firewall against
disturbances in high-voltage grids [8].
iv) Voltage Control
HVDC links are also useful for voltage control. The converter
absorbs reactive power depending on its control angle, which
normally will be compensated for by filters and/or capacitor
banks. By extending the control angle, operating range (to a
lower voltage) and additional capacitor banks (to raise
voltage) together with a fast acting transformer tap-changer,
the reactive power demand can be used for independent
voltage control at both connection points.
v) Ease of controllability
Today's advanced semiconductor technology, utilized in both
power thyristors and microprocessors for the control system,
has created a lot of flexibility for the control of the HVDC
transmission systems. These advanced semiconductor devices
were not available during the installation of some HVAC
systems about 80 years ago or more. This ease of
controllability of power flows, enables efficient power trading
between regions.
vi) AC Support System
AC load flow depends on the difference in angle between
voltage rectors in different parts of the network. This angle
cannot be influenced directly but depends on the power
balance. Also, a change in power generation or in the load
demand will cause a change in system frequency that has to be
restored by altering generation. This task is fulfilled by the
generator speed controllers, thus frequency restoration is very
slow. HVDC systems can fulfill this task at a faster rate by
drawing the energy from the remote network. Due to its ability
to change the operating point virtually instantaneously, HVDC
can feed (or reduce) active power into the disturbed system to
control the frequency much faster than a normally controlled
generator.
B. Limitations of HVDC Transismission System
HVDC converter stations are expensive and not beneficial for
power transmission for distances shorter than 600km for
overhead transmission. The other limitations of DC
transmission links include:
(i) Reduction of Transient stability margin of
the system where special control measures
are not adopted.
(ii) Undesirable corrosion of earthed structures
of the earth return cable.
(iii) Operating a HVDC scheme requires many
spare parts to be kept, often exclusively for
one system as HVDC systems are less
standardized than AC systems and
technology changes faster
Research is on going to tackle some of these identified
limitations.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HVDC SYSTEM
The purpose of power transmission is to carry energy from
generation stations to urban or industrial places. To satisfy the
growing need of energy, transmission line capacities have
been increased in recent years. The typical high voltage
transmission line carries 400 – 1000kV, this voltage has to
cross all kinds of terrain – urban areas, villages, oceans, desert
and mountains. The effects of these lines on the environment
and human beings have become a controversial issue in recent
years. Increasing environmental awareness throughout the
world is impacting both on the implementation and the cost of
transmission projects.
In many countries, the public resistance to overhead lines
has grown steadily during the last couple of decades. The
objections are caused by fear of detrimental health effects
from magnetic fields. Furthermore, objections are raised on
environmental grounds, including visual impact, audible noise,
impact on birds and other wildlife. In some countries, the
public seems prepared to pay the extra cost of mitigation of
the environmental issues [9]. Some of the ways HVDC system
impacts the environment positively are as follows:
125 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)
a) Visual Impact: HVDC overhead lines require less space per
MW than the traditional AC solution and thereby reducing the
visual impact of the towers.
b) Right-of-Way (ROW) Width: The ROW width of a DC line
compared to an AC line is considerably reduced. This
facilitates suitable routes in densely populated areas and in
regions with difficult terrain.
c) Magnetic Field: The magnetic field produced by a DC line
is stationary while that of AC is alternating, which can cause
induction of body currents.
d) Electric Field: Electric field is produced by the potential
difference between the overhead conductor and the earth.
Directly under the conductor., the electric field is strongest
and is approximately 20kV/m for a ±450kV transmission line.
DC has less electric field problem than that of AC because of
the lack of steady-state displacement current.
e) Radio and Telephone Interference: The radio-interference
level of an HVDC overhead line is lower than that of HVAC
overhead lines. For the HVDC, it is 40dB (MV/m); while for
the HVAC 380 KV overhead transmission line, the value is
50dB (MV/m).
VI. DISCUSSION
In order to compare the cost of using either HVDC or HVAC
for bulk power transmission, all main system elements must
be taken into consideration. For instance, for the DC
alternative, the capital cost for the converter terminals, AC
input/output equipment, filters, the interconnecting
transmission line must all be accounted for. Equally, for the
AC system, the capital cost for the step-up/step-down
transformer, the overhead line, light load compensation (if
required), reactive power compensation, circuit breakers,
buildings, should be evaluated. From the investigation carried
out, HVDC technology has proven a viable alternative for
power transmission for certain break - even distances. A more
detailed comparative cost analysis of HVDC and its HVAC
Transmission alternative is tabulated in [4].
For many countries, with already established HVAC networks,
HVDC transmission technology provides opportunities for
expansion and improvement. For emerging economies, yet to
deregulate their power sector, deployment of HVDC at
appropriate network points will provide a smarter grid and
level playing field for operators. For the oil and gas industries,
new developments in IGBT and HVDC submarine cables will
open new doors of opportunities for offshore energy systems.
VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The primary advantage of HVDC is the ability to transmit
large amounts of power over long distances with lower capital
costs and with lower losses than AC. Depending on voltage
level and construction details, losses are quoted at about 3%
per 1,000 km [5]. This HVDC technology is now mature,
having been in the market for about 50 years. With the ever
increasing demand for energy and cleaner environment,
HVDC technology has become imperative because of its
numerous advantages. Another driver for HVDC is the
advances in high power semiconductor devices that can further
improve thyristors and IGBTs so that they not only carry out
the AC/DC conversion but perform more automated functions
to make the power grid smarter.
From the study of successful HVDC projects all over the
world and in view of the crucial role a reliable Electric Power
Transmission Grid plays in the economic development and
improvement of the living standard of people, integration of
HVDC technology is recommended for developing countries
for improvement their power grids. HVDC will also be useful
for neighboring countries who want to share spinning reserves
and for developed countries who can tap the enormous solar
and wind energies in remote deserts/offshore islands and
transfer it to consumers via HVDC lines.
It is also recommended that Power Grid System Planners
should consider HVDC when planning for upgrade of ageing
transmission systems and that countries that own several
thousands of kilometers of HVAC transmission lines should
consider splitting into regional grids with HVDC technology
to avoid propagation of faults.
REFERENCES
[1] Edison, Thomas A. The Dangers of Electric
Lighting, North American Review, November, 1889.
pp.630, 632, 633:
http://www.foresight.org/news/negativeComments.html
[2] Osama Swaitti, Assessing the Impacts of Increasing
Penetration of
HVDC Lines on Power System Reliability, Master thesis
written at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH),
School of Electrical Engineering, 2007,
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pdf
[3] HVDC Milestones,
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c1257368005a39c3.aspx
[4] ABCs of HVDC Transmission Technology, M. Bahrman
and B. Johnson, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine
March/April 2007 Vol. 5 No. 2.
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of HVDC Projects.htm
[6] Manual for HVDC. Available at:
http://www.abb.com/HVDC
[7] O. Heyman L. Weimers and M. Bohl, HVDC – A key
solution in future transmission systems, Paper presented
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Quebec, Canada, 2010-09-12—16.
[8] G. Loehr, HVDC: A firewall against disturbances n high-
voltage grids, ABB Review, 2005.
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