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04 AC to DC conversion in the UltraNet project in Germany. One of the 380 kV AC systems has been converted to a 380 kV DC system, which will facilitate a power transmission capacity of approximately 2,000 MW from wind farms in the North Sea to the industrial towns in the south of Germany→4. In the UltraNet project, two 380 kV AC and two 110 kV AC systems run between North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg over a distance of 340 km. Other lines have also been studied with a view to conversion. The first known example is the UltraNet project in Germany where a 400 kV AC line will be converted. 03 Some possible configurations of conversion from AC to DC.ĪC to HVDC conversions to enhance the power transmission capacity of existing rights of way are ongoing. The AC ceramic insulators are generally replaced with high resistivity toughened glass (HRTG) or composite insulators to meet the clearance requirements. However, replacement is not straightforward and modifications may have to be made to the tower structure, insulators and conductors. In the case of a double circuit or multi-circuit, either one or several AC systems can be converted to HVDC as shown in→3. A bipole configuration is also an option. For example, a horizontal single-circuit AC transmission line can be replaced with either one or two symmetrical monopole HVDC lines. When a decision has been made to proceed with the conversion, the HVDC configuration must be decided: symmetric/asymmetric monopole or bipole or a hybrid that suits the tower configuration and the clearances available→3.
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02 Considerations in AC to DC conversion. (Photo: Anthony Byatt.)įactors that dominate AC to HVDC conversionīefore converting an AC line to HVDC, careful consideration must be given to a range of environmental, engineering and economic factors→2. However, the conversion of existing AC lines to DC allows extra capacity to be added without adding significant and costly new infrastructure or having to deal with the complexities of opening up new rights of way. 01 Traditionally, expanding transmission line capacity was no trivial matter. To understand the challenges and opportunities involved in the conversion of an existing AC transmission infrastructure into HVDC, some case studies will be examined and their major technical aspects discussed. In particular, HVDC technology based on voltage sourced converters (VSCs) is capable of independent control of real and reactive power, voltage support to the connected AC system and black-start capability. HVDC has many advantages over AC, such as enhanced power transmission capacity up to the thermal limit, low losses, ease of flexibility and controllability (both of which help counteract any disruption arising from the connection of renewables), less demanding right of way requirements, etc. One alternative to AC is high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. Therefore, transmission system operators (TSOs) look for alternative technologies that can enhance power transmission and integrate renewables while maximizing the use of existing rights of way. However, quite apart from the capital costs, new rights of way may require environmental impact and engineering assessments, and a long list of licenses, agreements, authorizations and compulsory land purchases. One obvious solution to transmission congestion is to construct additional AC lines. To complicate matters, renewable energy sources are intermittent, which makes economic planning of transmission capacity difficult. However, the additional electrical energy associated with these trends has to be transported to the consumer, which means existing AC transmission networks are now struggling to cope with power transfer levels above those for which they were designed. In fact, wind and solar are the fastest-growing electrical energy sources in the world today. Along with climate change concerns, this increasing demand is fueling a rapid expansion in generation from renewable energy sources. Peter Lundberg, Bjorn Jacobson ABB Power Grids, Grid Integration, Ludvika, Sweden, Vinothkumar K, Gaurav-Kumar Kasal ABB GISPL, Chennai, India, Shanthakumar MS ABB India Ltd., Gurgaon, India, Abhay Kumar ABB AB, Ludvika, Sweden, around the world, and especially in developing countries, the demand for electrical power is rising. By converting existing AC lines to DC, however, power levels can be boosted significantly without adding new lines. Physically expanding AC capacity is not easy or cheap. Rising power demand and the integration of renewables are causing increasing congestion on AC transmission lines.