HVDC - High Voltage Direct Current Power Transmission: Answers For Energy
HVDC - High Voltage Direct Current Power Transmission: Answers For Energy
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In-service date Page
01 2011 MundraHaryana India 5
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Direct current
direct success!
AC technology has proved very effective in the f ield
of generation, transmission and distribution of
electrical energy.
For instance:
Economical power transmission over very
long distances, power transmission via cables
Power transmission between networks operating
asynchronously or at different frequencies
Input of additional power without i ncreasing
the short circuit ratio of the network concerned.
The plants listed in the following pages show the power ratings
and technical standards of our HVDC equipment installed through-
out the world.
4
MundraHaryana,
India
In April 2009 Adani Power Ltd. awarded the contract
to Siemens for a 2500MW HVDC converter system. Technical Data
Customer Adani Power Ltd.
This is the first HVDC contract being awarded by a private
sector company in India. The power transmission system Project name MundraHaryana
will transport electrical energy with low loss from Mundra
in Gujarat, Western India to Mohindergarh in Haryana, Location Gujarat province to
Northern India, through a DC line length of 960km. This Haryana province
link supports the Adani Groups Green Initiative to trans- Power rating 2,500MW, bipolar
mit power with minimized loss of energy thanks to most
modern technology. Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
960 km
The bipolar DC system is rated for a continuous power
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
of 2500MW (500kV, 2500A) at the DC terminals of
400kV, 50Hz
the rectifier/converter station. The HVDC scheme can
be operated in bipolar and monopolar mode with ground Type of Direct-light-triggered,
return or metallic return. Pole 1 of the 500kV DC Trans- thyristor 8kV
mission scheme is planned to be put in o peration at the
beginning of October 2011, whereas pole 2 is supposed
to follow in December 2011. The new long-distance HVDC
transmission link will be the third system that Siemens has
built in India in succession.
Lahore China
Haryana
Pakistan
Delhi
Nepal
s
Bhiwadi
du
In
Karachi Ballia
Ganges
Bangladesh
India
Mundra
Calcutta
Bombay
5
COMETA,
Spain
Red Elctrica de Espaa signed the contract with Siemens
in October 2007 for design, d elivery, and construction of Technical Data
2 x 200MW HVDC bipole converter stations. Commercial
Customer Red Elctrica de Espaa
operation started in July2011. The COMETA HVDC project,
under the responsibility of Red Elctrica de Espaa, Project name COMETA
connects the Spanish peninsula with the Ballearic island
of Mallorca in order to meet the increasing demand of Location SpainMallorca
electric power on the island. Power rating 2 x 200 MW, bipolar
The transmission system is designed as a bipolar inter- Type of plant Submarine cable transmission,
connector with metallic return conductor. One converter 250 km
station is located near the city of V
alencia on the Spanish
Voltage levels 250 kV DC, 50 Hz,
peninsula, where an existing power plant will be con-
400 kV/230 kV AC, 50 Hz
nected to the HVDC via a HIS Switchgear and HVAC cables
(also supplied by Siemens). The other converter station Type of Direct-light-triggered (LTT),
on Mallorca is located at Santa Ponsa near the capital city, thyristor 8 kV
Palma de Mallorca.
France
Barcelona
Madrid
Palma de
Valencia Mallorca
Spain Mallorca
Ibiza
Mediterranean Sea
6
BritNed, Great Britain,
Netherlands
In May 2007 BritNed Development Limited (owned by
the TSOs National Grid International and TenneT) awarded Technical Data
the contract for the BritNed HVDC converter stations to
Customer BritNed Development Limited
a consortium of Siemens and BAM Civiel BV. The BritNed
HVDC transmission system connects the grid in the Project name BritNed
UK with the Dutch part of the UCTE grid. It is a 1,000 MW
HVDC interconnection across the southern part of the Location Isle of Grain on the southern bank
North Sea, linking the 400 kV substations on the Isle of of the Thames Estuary in the UK,
Grain, on the southern bank of the ThamesEstuary, and and Maasvlakte west of Rotterdam
Maasvlakte near Rotterdam. in The Netherlands
Glasgow
United
Kingdom Nether-
lands
Maasvlakte
London
Isle of Grain
Rotterdam
Germany
Belgium
France
7
XiangjiabaShanghai,
China
In June 2010, State Grid Corporation of China
commissioned the 800 kV HVDC Xiangjiaba-Shanghai Technical Data
transmission system. The high-voltage direct-current
Customer State Grid Corporation of China and
transmission link (HVDC) is the most powerful and longest
XD Xian Power Rectifier Works (XPR)
transmission of its kind to be implemented anywhere in
the world at that time, transmitting 6,400 MW of power Project name Xiangjiaba
over a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometers. Siemens Energy
has equipped the sending converter station Fulong for Location XiangjiabaShanghai
this link with ten DC converter transformers, including Power rating 6,400 MW, bipolar
five rated at 800 kV. Apart from that, Siemens provides
the power electronics (6-inch thyristor valve towers and Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
interfaces) together with its partner XD Xian Power 2070 km
Rectifier Works.
Voltage levels 800 kV DC,
525 kV AC, 50 Hz
The HVDC transmission link transmits 6,400 MW of hydro
power from South-Western China to Shanghai on Chinas Type of Electrically-triggered, 8 kV
East Coast over a distance of about 2,000 kilometers. thyristor (6 inches)
The Xiangjiaba-Shanghai link also operates with a transmis-
sion DC voltage of 800 kV to further minimize transmission
losses. Thanks to the use of environmentally friendly 4" 5" 6"
hydro power generation and low-loss HVDC transmission,
the new system will save up to 44 million metric tons of
CO2 p.a. versus local power supply with energy-mix.
6-inch thyristor
Ganzu
Shaanxi Henan Jiangsu
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Wuhan Anhui
Sichuan Jia Shanghai
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Gezhouba
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Xiangjiaba East
Ch
Zh
Hunan
Jiangxi China Sea
Guizhou
Yunnan Fujian
Guangxi Taipei
Guangdong
Kunming Zhuang A. R. Shenzen
Taiwan
China
Hong Kong
Laos South
Hanoi China Sea
8
Trans Bay Cable Project,
USA
Trans Bay Cable, LLC, awarded Siemens a c ontract to
construct a submarine High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Technical Data
transmission link between San Franciscos city center and
Customer Trans Bay Cable, LLC
a Pacific Gas & Electric substation near Pittsburg, California.
Project name Trans Bay Cable Project
The Trans Bay Cable Project transmits 400MW active
power and 170 Mvar reactive power (statcom function) Location Pittsburg, California,
and is the first order for the innovative HVDC PLUS tech- and San Francisco, California
nology by Siemens. This project is a milestone of the Power rating 400 MW
HVDC PLUS technology in terms of providing densely
populated areas with new transmission capacity. Type of plant 85 km HVDC PLUS submarine cable
United States
Santa Rosa of America
Pittsburg
Oakland
San Francisco
Potrero
Pacific
Ocean
San Jose
Hawkeye Photography
9
Storeblt,
Denmark
In May 2007 the Danish TSO, Energinet.dk, awarded
the contract for the Storeblt HVDC converters to Technical Data
Siemens.
Customer Energinet.dk
The Storeblt HVDC transmission system connects Project name Storeblt
the grid in Jutland/Funen (a part of the UCTE system)
with the Zealand Grid, which is a part of the NORDEL Location The islands Funen (Fyn)
system. and Zealand (Sjlland) in Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Herslev
Denmark
Fraugde Copenhagen
Netherlands
Poland
Germany
10
BalliaBhiwadi,
India
In March 2007 Powergrid of India awarded the contract
for the largest HVDC system in India to a consortium Technical Data
formed by Siemens and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
Customer Powergrid Corporation of India Ltd.
(BHEL). The project will transmit power from the Ballia
Power Pool in Uttar Pradesh to the Bhiwadi Substation Project name BalliaBhiwadi
in Rajasthan, only 80km from Delhi.
Location Uttar Pradesh province
The HVDC system will improve the power supply of the to Rajasthan province
fast-growing Delhi metropolitan region without the need Power rating 2,500 MW,
for installation additional power plants in this highly bipolar
urbanized area. The contract includes the engineering,
supply, installation, and commissioning, as well as all Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
civil works on a turnkey basis. 800 km
Lahore China
Pakistan Delhi
Nepal
Bhiwadi
s
du
In
Karachi Ballia
Ganges
Bangladesh
India
Calcutta
Bombay
11
YunnanGuangdong,
China
The long-distance transmission system of the Yunnan
Guangdong DC Transmission Project transmits 5,000 MW Technical Data
from the Chuxiong substation in Yunnan to the load center
Customer China Southern Power Grid
of the Pearl River delta in Guangdong. The contract was
awarded in June 2007. Commercial operation of the Project name YunnanGuangdong
first 800 kV pole started in December 2009, the complete
bipole is in operation since June 2010. The system, with Location Chuxiong City/YunnanZengcheng
a transmission voltage of 800 kV DC, sets a new dimension City/Guangdong
in the development of HVDC systems. Power rating 5,000 MW,
bipolar with series valve groups
The bipolar system uses two series valve groups per pole:
one 12 pulse valve group is rated 400 kV; the other is Type of plant Long-distance bipole,
rated 800kV. Apart from the converter valves, the other 1418 km
major components with insulation levels of 800 kV are the
Voltage levels 800 kV DC,
single-phase two-winding converter transformers and air-
525 kV, 50 Hz
insulated smoothing reactors. The modular converter
groups are equipped with direct light-triggered thyristors Type of Direct-light-triggered (LTT),
with water cooling. The 800 kV equipment in the DC Yard, thyristor 8 kV
e.g. b ushings, support insulators, switches, and a rrester
are of composite type with silicone rubber external insula-
tion to offer improved operation under severe environ-
mental conditions. DC harmonic filtering is achieved
through triple-tuned filters, whereas for AC h armonic
filtering double-tuned filters together with a special
low-order filter are used.
Hubei Anhui
Sichuan Wuhan Shanghai
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an Gezhouba
gd
Ji
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an
Ch
ej
East
Zh
Ch China
Hunan
Jiangxi China Sea
Guizhou
Yunnan Fujian
Guangxi Taipei
Guangdong
Kunming Zhuang A. R.
Shenzen
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Laos
Hanoi
South
China Sea
Vietnam
12
GuizhouGuangdong II,
China
The DC Transmission Project (the long-distance trans-
mission system of the Guizhou-GuangdongII line Technical Data
500kV) transmits 3,000 MW power from the Xingren
Customer China Southern Power Grid
substation in the Guizhou Province of Southwest China to
the load center of Shenzhen in the Guangdong Province. Project name GuizhouGuangdong II Line
The system has a long-term overload capability of up to 500kV DC Transmission Project
115%. Power transmission in the reverse direction is also
possible. The project is carried out in cooperation with Location Xingren/Guizhou
Chinese partners supported by Siemens. The bipolar system Shenzhen/Guangdong
is designed for a ceiling suspended 12-pulse converter Power rating 3,000 MW,
bridge arrangement with single-phase two-winding con- bipolar
verter transformers and oil-insulated smoothing reactors.
The 500kV DC converter groups of modular design are Type of plant Long-distance bipole, 1,225 km
equipped with direct light-triggered thyristors with water
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
cooling. Most of the DC equipment is provided with com-
525 kV, 50 Hz
posite housings improving the performance of operation
under s evere environmental conditions. Type of Direct-light-triggered,
thyristor 8 kV
For harmonic filtering triple tuned AC and DC filters are
used. The design considers the installation at 1450m
above sea level (Xingren converter station). The inter
connection of the neutrals of both stations is implemented
by means of ground electrodes. The contract was awarded
in May 2005.
Hubei
Sichuan Wuhan Anhui Shanghai
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g
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Ji an
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China East
Ch
Zh
Hunan
Jiangxi China Sea
Guizhou
Fujian
Yunnan
Taipei
Guangxi Guangdong
Zhuang A. R. Guangzhou Taiwan
Hong Kong
Laos
Hanoi
South
China Sea
Vietnam
13
East-South Interconnector II Upgrade,
India
In April 2006 Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. awarded
the contract to Siemens to upgrade the power transmission Technical Data
capacity from 2,000MW to 2,500MW on the existing
Customer Powergrid Corporation of India Ltd.
Talcher Kolar HVDC Long Distance Transmission system.
Since 2003, the 2,000MW High Voltage Direct Current Project name Upgrade of Talcher Kolar HVDC
(HVDC) System East-South Interconnector II links the Project from 2,000 MV to 2,500 MV
power generation centre of Talcher in the eastern part
of India with the r apidly developing industrial and high- Location Orissa province
tech area of Bangalore in the south over a line length of to Karnataka province
nearly 1,400 km. The conventional method to increase Power rating 2,500 MW,
the power of a transmission system is to increase the trans- bipolar
mission voltage or to increase the current flow through
the DC-line. Both measures require extensive and cost- Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
intensive modifications of the system. 1,450 km
Karachi
Ganges
Bangladesh
India Calcutta
Talcher
Bombay
Hyderabad
Bay of
Bengal
Kolar
Madras
Bangalore
14
Neptune RTS,
USA
The Neptune HVDC project connects the TSO Long Island
Power Authority to the competitive PJM market and pro- Technical Data
vides power to a fast-growing load center on Long Island.
Customer Neptune RTS
The system is a monopolar cable transmission link with a Project name Neptune RTS
DC voltage of 500kV and a continuous power transmission
rating of 660MW. The cable stretches from First Energy Location USA/New JerseyNew York
Inc.s substation in Sayreville, N.J., to Uniondale, N.Y.-based Power rating 660 MW continuous,
LIPAs Newbridge Road substation in Levittown. Siemens, up to 750 overload for 4 hours
as the leader of the consortium for this turnkey project, was
responsible for the installation of two converter stations. Type of plant Submarine cable transmission,
Furthermore, Siemens is to operate the link for a five-year 105 km
period. The consortium partner Prysmian (formerly Pirelli)
Voltage levels 500 kV,
delivered and installed the cable package including a 82 km
230/345 kV, 60 Hz
DC submarine cable section from New Jersey to the landfall
at Jones Beach followed by a 23 km DC land cable section to Type of Direct-light-triggered,
the Converter Station as well as the ACcable connections thyristor 8 kV
from the two converter stations to the grid. The project
was developed by Neptune RTS over a period of several
years. The EPC contract was awarded on July 15th, 2005.
Execution time of the project was 24 months.
Duffy Avenue,
Long Island, New York
Atlantic
Sayreville, Ocean
New Jersey
15
Basslink,
Australia
The Basslink cable link, which went into operation in 2006,
represents the first interconnection between the states Technical Data
of Tasmania and Victoria. Both states benefit from this
Customer National Grid Australia
link, which operates in both directions. Tasmania relies
entirely on hydroelectric plants to generate electricity; Project name Basslink Interconnector
Basslink allows the import of base load from Victorian
coal-fired power plants, thus improving supply reliability Location Loy Yang/Victoria
in periods ofdrought. On the other side, Victoria is able to George Town/Tasmania
to improve its peak load supply with green energy from Power rating 500 MW continuous, up to 626 MW
Tasmania. overload for 8 hours/day
Tasmanias first-ever access to the National Energy Market Type of plant Submarine cable transmission,
(NEM) has also increased competition within Australia. 295km
The transmission system is designed as a monopolar in-
Voltage levels 400 kV DC,
terconnector with metallic return. As consortium leader,
500 kV 50 Hz (Victoria)
Siemens augmented two existing AC substations and
220 kV 50 Hz (Tasmania)
provided 5 km of AC overhead line, the HVDC converter
stations, and 66km of DC overhead line. Basslink now Type of Direct-light-triggered,
represents one of the longest submarine power links in thyristor 8 kV
the world, with a submarine cable length of approximately
295km that crosses the Bass Strait. The EPC contract was
awarded in the year 2000, and authorities approved the
project in the second half of 2002 after extensive environ-
mental impact studies.
Brisbane
Australia
Sydney
Adelaide Canberra
Melbourne
Loy Yang
Tasman
Sea
George Town
Hobart
16
Lamar,
USA
In February 2003 Xcel Energy awarded the contract to
Siemens for the design, procurement, construction, and Technical Data
commissioning of the Back-to-Back DC Converter station
Customer Xcel Energy
located in Lamar, Colorado. The tie connects Xcel Energys
Southwestern Public Service Company system in the East Project name Lamar
(345kV AC) with its Public Service Company of Colorado
system in the West (230kV AC), and has a bidirectional Location Lamar/Colorado/USA
power transfer capability of 210 MW (nominal). Power rating 210 MW,
continuous
As one of its main features, the converter station provides
continuously adjustable voltage control on the weak Type of plant Back-to-back tie
AC System.
Voltage levels 63.6 kV DC,
230 kV AC, 60 Hz
The Eastern part and the Western part of the United States
(West Lamar/Colorado)
is not electrically synchronized. The dividing line is roughly
345 kV AC, 60 Hz
down the eastern borders of Montana, Wyoming Colorado,
(Easy Finney/Kansas)
and New Mexico. The L amar project has been commercial
operation since January 2005. The Back-to-Back DC con- Type of Direct-light-triggered,
verter station is highly cost-efficient due to a new ground- thyristor 8 kV
ing concept of the DC circuit. This concept allows the use
of standard distribution transformers instead of special
HVDC converter transformers. Standardized components
result in shorter delivery time, and allow for high local
manufacturing content.
Chicago
Denver
St. Louis
o
ad
lor
Santa Fe Ar
ka
ns
Phoenix as
Dallas
New Orleans
Mexico R Houston
io
Gr
an
de Gulf of
Mexico
Monterrey
17
GuizhouGuangdong,
China
The HVDC long-distance transmission system of Gui-Guang
transmits 3,000 MW of power from the A nshun substation Technical Data
in Guizhou Province in southwest China to the Zhaoqing
Customer China Southern Power Grid
converter station in Guangdong Province near the load
center of Guangzhou. Itis a bipolar system, each pole Project name Gui-Guang
comprising a 12-pulse converter bridge suspended from
the ceiling. The thyristors are water-cooled and direct- Location GuizhouGuangdong
light-triggered. The converter transformers are of the Power rating 3,000 MW,
single-phase two-winding type. Triple-tuned filters bipolar
are used for filtering harmonics on the DC- and AC-side
of the converters. The smoothing reactors are of the oil- Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
immersed type. The contract was awarded in October 980 km
2001. Commercial operation started in October 2004
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
(six months ahead of scheduled time).
525 kV, 50 Hz
Type of Direct-light-triggered,
thyristor 8 kV
Hubei Anhui
Sichuan g Wuhan Shanghai
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an
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Ji
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East
Ch
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Vietnam
18
Nelson River Bipole 1,
Canada
In 2002 Siemens received the contract to replace 36
mercury arc valves (MRVs) with thyristor valves. Bipole 1 Technical Data
ofthe Nelson river scheme had been in operation since
Customer Manitoba Hydro (Winnipeg)
1970. Both poles were equipped with mercury arcvalves
designed for service life of 20 years. The old valves of Project name Bipole 1, Pole 2
Bipole 1, Pole 1 were replaced by thyristor valves 10years Valve Replacement
ago. By using the best valves as spare parts for Pole 2,
operation for 10 more years was possible. In 2001 Manitoba Location Radisson Converter Station
Hydro decided to also replace the MRVs of Pole 2 with on Nelson River Dorsey Converter
thyristor valves to increase the reliability of the whole Station near Winnipeg, both in
scheme. To minimize the outage time of this highly Manitoba, Canada
utilized scheme, replacement was performed in 3 lots. Power rating 1,000 MW
For each lot 12 thyristor valves and 2 cooling units as Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
well as new surge arresters are supplied. The overall 900 km
completion time for the replacement was 27months
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
with a delivery time for the first lot of 13months.
230/138 kV, 60 Hz
Siemens delivered light-triggered thyristors, the same
type as supplied for the Moyle Interconnector and the Type of Direct-light-triggered,
Celilo project. For future upgrading of the system the thyristor 8 kV
thyristor valves are rated for 500 kV with 2,000 A nominal
current.
Hudson Bay
son
Gillam Nel
Canada
Calgary
Winnipeg
Minneapolis
19
Celilo, Mercury Arc Valve Replacement,
USA
In December 2000, Bonneville Power Administration
(BPA) in Portland, Oregon, USA had to decide how to Technical Data
proceed with the Celilo Converter Station which was
Customer Bonneville Power Administration
30years old meanwhile, and considering that the Pacific
(BPA)
Intertie is a major contributor to satisfying Californias
electrical energy needs. The critical components were Project name Celilo Mercury Arc
the mercury arc valves: they had been designed for a Replacement Project
service life of 20 years; they require high maintenance
efforts, are very unreliable, and the manufacturer had Location The Dalles, Oregon, USA
stopped supplying spare parts long ago. Based on the Power rating 3,100 MW,
decision, BPA awarded Siemens a contract for the supply bipolar
of 36 HVDC t hyristor valves with direct-light-triggered
thyristors for the Celilo Converter Station of the Pacific Type of plant Long-distance transmission
Intertie, to replace the mercury arc valves representing
Voltage levels 400 kV DC,
a converter rating of 1,600 MW. The delivery in three
230 kV, 60 Hz
phases was completed within 20 months.
Type of Direct-light-triggered,
In addition, all cooling towers in the 3,100 MW converter thyristor 8 kV
station were replaced by dry-type cooling towers. In 1997
Siemens provided BPA with a thyristor valve including
the newly developed technology of direct-light-triggered
thyristors for commercial d emonstration during a period
of two years. It was replacing a mercury arc valve. Due
to the excellent performance, BPA purchased the valve
already after 11 months of operation. It has been in ser-
vice ever since without any fault or failure.
Canada
Calgary
Vancouver
mbia
Colu
Portland
The Dalles
United States
of America
ado
lor
San Francisco
Co
20
East-South Interconnector II,
India
In March 2000 Siemens received an order for a long-
distance HVDC transmission project from the Power Grid Technical Data
Corporation of India Limited. From now on power is trans-
Customer Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
mitted from the eastern region (Orissa province) to the
southern part (Karnataka province) of the subcontinent Project name East-South Interconnector II
by means of a bipolar HVDC system, thus integrating these
two regional asynchronous networks into the national Location Orissa province
grid, ensuring a reliable and flexible power transfer to Karnataka province
nationwide. This is the sixth HVDC project in India, the Power rating 2,000 MW,
largest so far regarding rated transmission power and bipolar
transmission distance. Commercial operation started
in 2003. Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
1,450km
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 8 kV (100 mm )
Karachi
Ganges
Bangladesh
India Calcutta
Talcher
Bombay
Hyderabad
Bay of
Bengal
Kolar
Madras
Bangalore
21
Moyle,
Northern Ireland/Scotland
The Moyle Interconnector Project provides a vital link
in electricity supply, enhancing both security and Technical Data
competition in the emerging market of Northern Ireland.
Customer Moyle Interconnector Ltd. (MIL)
The configuration of the transmission system is two
Northern Ireland
monopolar submarine HVDC links operating in parallel
on the AC systems. Each pole is rated 250MW in both Project name Moyle Interconnector
directions at 250 kV DC. For the first time in a commercial
HVDC system, the converter stations are equipped with Location Northern Ireland, Scotland
the latest achievement in highvoltage semiconductor Power rating 2 x 250 MW, monopolar
technology: d irect-light-triggered thyristors with integrated
overvoltage protection. By introducing this new technology, Type of plant Submarine cable transmission,
the number of electrical parts in the HVDC thyristor valve 64km
is considerably reduced, resulting in better reliability and
Voltage levels 2 x 250 kV DC,
longer maintenance intervals. The contract for the Moyle
275 kV, 50 Hz
Interconnector turnkey supply of the converter stations
was awarded in September 1999. Taking-over certificate Type of Direct-light-triggered,
by the customer was issued in November 2001. thyristor 8 kV
Glasgow
Belfast
United
Dublin Kingdom
London
Ireland
22
ThailandMalaysia
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 8 kV (100 mm )
Thailand
Thailand
m
Cambodia
Gurun
Ho Chi Malaysia
Minh
Brunei
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia
23
TianshengqiaoGuangzhou,
China
The HVDC long-distance transmission system Tian-Guang
carries 1,800 MW of electrical power from the hydropower Technical Data
plant Tianshengqiao in southwest China to the load center
Customer China Southern Power Grid
of Guangzhou in the south. It is a bipolar system, each pole
comprising a 12-pulse converter valve group, with the Project name Tian-Guang
valve towers hanging from a special ceiling construction.
The thyristors are water-cooled. The transformers are of the Location TianshengqiaoGuangzhou
single phase three-winding type with bushings protruding Power rating 1,800 MW,
into the valve hall. Active DC filters are implemented in bipolar
this system for absorption of DCharmonics to avoid inter-
ference on neighboring communication lines. The contract Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
was awarded in1997; commercial operation started in 960km
2000.
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
230 kV, 50 Hz
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 8 kV
Hubei Anhui
Sichuan Wuhan Shanghai
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g
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Ji
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East
Ch
Ch
Zh
Vietnam
24
Sylmar East Valve Reconstruction,
USA
The Pacific HVDC Intertie started its operation in 1970
at 1,440 MW. By addition of series and parallel connected Technical Data
converters it was later expanded to a rating of 3,100 MW.
Customer Los Angeles Department of W ater
When a disastrous fire had destroyed the thyristor valves
and Power, California, USA (LADWP)
of converter 1 at Sylmar East Converter Station in 1993,
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was Project name Sylmar East Valve Reconstruction
under pressure to restore reliable power supply to the
energy-hungry region. Siemens was awarded the recon- Location Sylmar Converter Station East,
struction in August 1994, due to the short delivery time, Los Angeles
use of fire-retardant valve material (UL94 VO), the anti- Power rating 550 (825) MW,
corrosion cooling system concept, and the excellent bipolar
seismic performance of the valves (0.5 g horizontal).
The installation was finished in September 1995. Type of plant Long-distance transmission,
The scope of supply comprises one complete 12-pulse approx. 1,200 km
converter, including DC hall equipment, and an advanced
Voltage levels 500 kV DC,
monitoring and alarm system.
230 kV, 60 Hz
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 8 kV
United States
of America
ado
lor
San Francisco
Co
Phoenix
Los Angeles
San Diego
Mexico
25
Welsh,
USA
The back-to-back tie links the two different networks of
the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT grid) with Technical Data
the Southwest Power Pool (SPP grid) of the eastern US
Customer American Electric Power, Ohio, USA
system. The Welsh Converter Station allows an additional
(AEP)
power transfer to the existing connection (at Oklaunion)
between the two networks. The arrangement and the Project name Welsh HVDC Converter Station
design of the s tation are comparable to Etzenricht. The
reliable and proven converter technology of Etzenricht, Location Texas, Titus County
along with the same control and protection systems, near Mount Pleasant
is therefore used. Power rating 600 MW
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 5.5 kV
Chicago
Denver
St. Louis
o
ad
lor
Santa Fe Ar
ka
ns
as
Phoenix
Dallas
New Orleans
Mexico
Rio Houston
Gr
an
de Gulf of
Mexico
Monterrey
26
Wien-Suedost,
Austria
The back-to-back tie links the Austrian UCPTE network
with the Hungarian and, hence, the RGW network. The Technical Data
modular water-cooled air-insulated valves are of a new,
Customer sterreichische Elektrizitts-
compact, and universal design. The rectifier and inverter
wirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft
are in 12-pulse connection and are accommodated in
(Verbundgesellschaft, VG)
a building along with the bushings of the converter-
transformers and the smoothing reactors. This HVDC Project name GK-Wien-Sdost (GK-SO)
plant southeast ofVienna was put in operation in July
1993. Location Southeast of Vienna, Austria
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 5.5 kV
Poland
Czech
Germany
Rep.
Slovak
France
Rep.
Vienna
Austria
Hungary
Switzerland Slovenia
Croatia
Italy
27
Etzenricht,
Germany
The back-to-back tie links the two different networks of
the Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, Technical Data
that is, the Western European network UCPTE with the
Customer E.ON AG Munich, Germany
Eastern European network RGW.
Project name Etzenricht
The HVDC plant considerably improved the availability
of electrical energy in both countries and, at the same time, Location Etzenricht, near Weiden/Oberpfalz
reduced the need for investment in reserve generating Power rating 600 MW
capacity. Standardized modular converters allow for
much smaller valve halls than p reviously permitted and Type of plant Back-to-back tie
therefore offer major a dvantages in terms of economy.
Voltage levels 160 kV DC,
The converter transformers are arranged outside the
380/380 kV, 50/50 Hz
valve hall. Their insulating bushings for connection to
the thyristors are led directly into the converter hall. Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
TheHVDC plant in Etzenricht near Weiden/Oberpfalz thyristor 5.5 kV
was commissioned in June 1993.
Poland
Nether- Berlin
lands
Germany
Belgium
Etzenricht Czech
Rep.
Luxembourg
France Vienna
Austria
28
GezhoubaNan Qiao,
China
The Gezhouba-Nan Qiao HVDC plant transmits electric
power from the hydroelectric plant in Gezhouba in the Technical Data
Hubei province, central China, to the Shanghai conurba-
Customer China National Technical
tion. The power transmission system is bipolar, each pole
Import & Export Corporation
consisting of a 12-pulse converter valve group. The valve
(CNTIC)
towers are suspended from a special structure on the
ceiling of the valve hall. The single-phase three-winding Project name Ge-Nan
converter-transformers and their bushings project into
the hall, where the star delta connections are made. Location Rectifier station in Gezhouba
The thyristors are water-cooled. Commercial operation (Central China), Inverter station
started in 1989 (Pole1), and in 1990 (Pole 2). in Nan Qiao (about 40 km from
Shanghai)
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 5.5 kV
Shanxi Shandong
Shaanxi Jiangsu
Henan Nan Qiao
China Hubei Anhui
Wuhan Shanghai
ng
g
Sichuan
on
Jia
gd
ng
g Gezhouba
on
an
ia
Ch
East
ej
Ch
Zh
China Sea
Jiangxi
Guizhou Hunan
Fujian
Yunnan Taipei
Guangxi Guangdong
Zhuang A. R. Guangzhou Taiwan
Hong Kong
Laos
Hanoi South
China Sea
29
Virginia Smith,
USA
The HVDC back-to-back tie at Virginia Smith Converter
Station in Nebraska, USA, links the asynchronous networks Technical Data
in the East of the United States with those in the West.
Customer Western Area Power Administration
The station is controlled via the WAPA communications
(WAPA)
system from the load control center in Loveland, Colorado,
150 miles away. 200 MW can be transmitted in either Project name Virginia Smith Converter Station
direction. Despite power input in networks with low power
ratings, voltage stability is assured within narrow limits. Location Sidney, Nebraska, USA
Temporary overvoltage limiters can be switched in to keep Power rating 200 MW
transient overvoltages within 1.25 p.u. The HVDC plant
has been in operation since December 1987. Type of plant Back-to-back tie
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 4.52 kV
Chicago
Denver
St. Louis
o
ad
lor
Santa Fe Ar
ka
ns
as
Phoenix
Dallas
New Orleans
Mexico R Houston
io
Gr
an
de Gulf of
Mexico
Monterrey
30
Poste Chteauguay,
Canada
The Poste Chteauguay back-to-back tie effects the
exchange of power between Canada (Hydro Quebec) Technical Data
and the USA (NYPA). The plant comprises two poles and
Customer Hydro Quebec, Montreal, Canada
has a power rating of 500 MW per pole. Overload opera-
tion up to 1,200 MW is possible. Each of the two poles Project name Poste Chteauguay
is accommodated in a valve hall with two 12-pulse groups.
One group is connected with the 120kV system in the Location Beauharnois, Quebec, Canada
USA, and the other with the 315 kV system in Canada. Power rating 2 x 500 MW
The project, which was jointly awarded to BBC and
Siemens, was completed on July 1, 1984, after a con- Type of plant Back-to-back tie
struction time of about one year.
Voltage levels 145 kV DC,
120/315 kV, 60/60 Hz
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 4.5kV
Canada
Quebec
Beauharnois
Ottawa
Montreal
31
Drnrohr,
Austria
The HVDC back-to-back tie between Austria and the
Czech Republic linked the then-asynchronous networks Technical Data
of Western and Eastern Europe. The contract was placed
Customer sterreichische Elektrizitts-
in 1980. The thyristor valves are watercooled and air-
wirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft
insulated; for the first time, high-voltage thyristors with
(Verbundgesellschaft, VG)
a wafer diameter of 100 mm were used. The system
consists of two 12-pulse groups in a common building Project name Drnrohr
and the transformers and smoothing reactors which are
installed outdoors, with DC-side bushings protruding Location Drnrohr, near Zwentendorf, Austria
through the walls. Siemens, partnering with the German Power rating 550 MW
HVDC Group, supplied allthyristor modules and the station
control system. Commercial operation started in 1983. Type of plant Back-to-back tie
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 4.2 kV
Poland
Czech Rep.
Germany
Slovak
Drnrohr
Rep.
Vienna
Austria
Hungary
Switzerland
Slovenia
Croatia
Italy
32
Acaray,
Paraguay
The HVDC back-to-back tie in Paraguay links the Brazilian
60 Hz network with the Paraguayan 50 Hz network. Technical Data
In times of drought and low output from the hydropower
Customer A.N.D.E.
plants, Paraguay imports power from Brazil, while power
can be exported to Brazil intimes of water surplus. Project name Acaray
The frequency regulation of the HVDC back-to-back tie
also helps stabilize the Paraguayan network frequency Location Paraguay
to 50 Hz. Commercial operation started in 1981. Power rating 55 MW
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 4.2 kV
La Paz
Brazil
Bolivia
n
Para
Rio de Janeiro
Chile Paraguay
So Paulo
Argentina
Santiago Uruguay
Buenos Aires Montevideo
33
Nelson River, Bipole 2,
Canada
The power plants on the Nelson and Churchill Rivers in
the north of Manitoba, Canada, generate more than 50% Technical Data
of the demand of this province: the double-bipolar HVDC
Customer Manitoba Hydro (Winnipeg)
link supplies the power to the load centers in the south
of the province. Bipole 2 isthe first HVDC system using Project name Nelson River, Bipole 2
highly efficient water cooling for the thyristor valves
a technology that has since become the industry standard. Location Henday Converter Station
Siemens, partnering in the German HVDC Group, supplied near Nelson River Dorsey Converter
allthyristor modules and the 500 kV smoothing reactors. Station near Winnipeg both in
Commercial operation started in 1977 withstage 1; Manitoba, Canada
the project was completed in 1985 withstage 3. Power rating 1,800 MW (summer)
2,000 MW (winter),
bipolar
Type of Electrically-triggered-thyristor,
thyristor 3.2 kV
Hudson Bay
son
Gillam Nel
Canada
Calgary
Winnipeg
Minneapolis
34
Cahora Bassa,
South Africa/Mozambique
The Cahora Bassa HVDC system is used to transmit the
power generated in a hydroelectric plant on the Sambesi Technical Data
river in Mozambique to South Africa. The contract for the
Customer 1. HCB, Lisbon, Portugal
HVDC system, the dam, and the powerhouse was awarded
2. ESCOM, Johannesburg, South
to the ZAMCO consortium, including the German HVDC
Africa
Group (AEG, BBC, Siemens). Cahora Bassa is the first HVDC
contract placed that used thyristor valves. An outdoor, Project name Cahora Bassa
oil-cooled, and oil-insulated design was used. Commercial
operation started in 1975 with phase 1; the system was Location Songo, Mozambique
completed in 1979 with phase 3. Apollo, South Africa
Zambia Malawi
nel
Songo
Chan
Harare
Madagascar
Mozambique
i qu e
Zimbabwe
amb
Moz
Botswana
Apollo
Swaziland
Johannesburg
South Africa
Lesotho
35
Published by and copyright 2011:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
Power Transmission Solutions
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
www.siemens.com/energy/hvdc
Printed on elementary chlorine-free bleached paper. Subject to change without prior notice.
The information in this document contains general
All rights reserved.
descriptions of the technical options available, which
Trademarks mentioned in this document
may not apply in all cases. The required technical
are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates,
options should therefore be specified in the contract.
or their respective owners.