Michael Bahrman P.E.

, ABB Grid Systems, DOE Concepts of Future Electric Transmission, March 4, 2009

HVDC and FACTS

Economical complements to ac transmission

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 1

HVDC Transmission Agenda:

Transfer limitations Role of FACTS and HVDC AC v DC comparisons Technology Economics Efficiency Reliability Examples Summary

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 2

Transmission line delivery capability v distance AC line capacity diminishes with distance*
Max Line Capability v Distance with 3000 A Ratings
M a x L in e L o a d in g (M W )

6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
3000 A Limit

345 kV AC 500 kV AC 765 kV AC 500 kV DC 660 kV DC 800 kV DC

Transmission Distance (mi)

AC line distance effects: Intermediate switching stations, e.g. every ~200-250 mi max line segment length due to TOV, TRV, voltage profile Lower stability limits (voltage, angle) Increase stability limits & mitigate parallel flow with FACTS: SVC & SC Higher reactive demand with load Higher charging at light load Parallel flow issues more prevalent DC line distance effects: No distance effect on stability (voltage, angle) No need for intermediate stations No parallel flow issues due to control Minor change in short circuit levels No increase in reactive power demand

Reactive Power v Power Transfer (200 mi line)

1500 Reactive Power per Terminal

1000 (MVAr) 345 kV 500 500 kV 765 kV 0 0 -500 Power Transfer (MW) 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 3

Reactive power variation per 100 mi, 0.2-1.3 SIL

* Loadings per St Clair curve

Distance effects AC v DC
Thermal path limit Area 1 Parallel Flows Area 2

Stability path limit Area 3

Schedule Thermal path limit

New AC line: Need for intermediate switching stations the longer the line the more intermediate S/S Lower stability limits with longer distance Higher reactive power demand with heavy load, higher reactive power surplus at light load Parallel flow issues: cumulative, more prevalent and widespread for longer transfer distances Increase stability limits & mitigate parallel flow with series compensation (FACTS) Thermal limit remains the same

Area 1

Area 3

New DC line: No distance effect on stability Area 2 Raise stability limit (voltage, angle) No need for intermediate stations No parallel flow issues due to control Stability path limit No increase in short circuit levels No increase in reactive power demand

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 4

Indirect v direct control AC v DC

AC Transmission: Power flow from generation distributes per line characteristics (impedance) & phase angle (generation dispatch) Variable generation gives variable flow on all intermediate paths Transfer may be limited due to congestion New resources add cumulatively clogging existing paths, usurping original purpose Flow controlled indirectly by generation dispatch HVDC Transmission:
Area 2

Gen Pg

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

Pd

Gen Pg

Area 1

Controlled power flow adds flexibility, independent of phase angle Operational examples: Pd = Pg + P schedule, Pd = k * Pg Permits optimal power flow, e.g. lower losses, transmission reserve margin Bypasses congestion Off-loads parallel paths

Area 3

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 5

Tapping AC v DC
AC Tap Add substation equipment and transformers if different voltage levels May exacerbate parallel flow issues
Area 1 Area 2

Area 3

HVDC Tap Electronic clearing of dc line faults Fast isolation of faulty converters Reactive power compensation required Momentary interruption due to ac fault at tap Limitations on tap rating, location and recovery rate due to voltage stability with weak systems Power reversal requires polarity reversal HVDC Light Tap No momentary interruption to main power transfer due to ac fault at tap Less limitations on tap rating and location No reactive power constraints, improved voltage stability DC breaker may be needed for faster dc line fault clearing in some applications Power reversal at tap by current reversal

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 6

Grid Extenders
AC extenders: No control of power injection distribution Potential for unequal utilization and local congestion without phase shifters
Area 1 Area 2

Area 3

Reactive power compensation required for light & heavy load conditions No inherent voltage support Increases fault current duties Increased right-way-requirements HVDC Light extenders: Delivers bulk power allocation to selected distribution substations in congested area Provides dynamic voltage support (virtual generators), enhancing capability of ac system Doesnt increase fault current duties Allows shared use of narrow rights-of-way Stealthy and healthy can be U/G, low dc EMF

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3
ABB Group March 09 | Slide 7

Transmission expansion HVDC & HVDC Light

HVDC Minimum shortcircuit level Thermal path limit Minimum shortcircuit level

Conventional HVDC: Minimum short circuit level restriction (SMVA > 2 x Pd) Induction wind generation contributes 50-70% of synchronous to SMVA Reactive power demand at terminals (Q ~= 0.5 x Pd) Reactive compensation at terminals Higher ratings, greater economies of scale HVDC Light (Voltage Source Converters): No minimum short circuit levels No reactive power demand Dynamic reactive voltage support (virtual generator, Q ~= 0.5 x Pr) Leverage capacity by ac voltage support Conducive for but not limited to underground cable transmission

Area 1

Area 2

Stability path limit Area 3

Dynamic Voltage HVDC Light Support Thermal path limit

Dynamic Voltage Support

Area 1

Area 2

Stability path limit Area 3

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 8

HVDC Light or HVDC Classic Ratings range for underground and overhead
Udc in kV 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 0 HVDC Light with OH Line HVDC Classic/ HVDC Light with oil impregnated cable HVDC Light with extruded cable 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 HVDC Classic with OH Line

500 kV, 3300 MW HVDC

320 kV, 1200 MW HVDC

Power in MW
ABB Group March 09 | Slide 9

Comparative delivery costs for 6000 MW transmission IOU financing, no incentives, 75% utilization
Cost Comparison for 6000 MW Transmission at 75% Utilization
70 Cost ($/MWh) 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cost 250 mi ($/MWh) Cost 500 mi ($/MWh) Cost 750 mi ($/MWh) Cost 1000 mi ($/MWh)
345 kV AC 8 circuits, SC 345 kV AC 4 dbl ckts, SC 500 kV AC 4 circuits, SC 500 kV AC 2 dbl ckts, SC 765 kV AC 2 circuits 500 kV 2 HVDC bipoles 800 kV 1 HVDC bipole

Series Comp

Notes: Series compensated ac lines loaded to ~ 2 x SIL, Intermediate S/S and reactive compensation every 250 miles for ac schemes 765 kV loaded to ~ 1.3 x SIL or ~ steady state stability limit for 200 mi line segment per St Clair curve Transmission line and substation costs based on Frontier Line transmission subcommittee, NTAC and ERCOT CREZ unit cost data. ABB Group
March 09 | Slide 10

Transmission alternatives loss comparison: 6000 MW Line losses + converter and S/S losses @ full load
Loss Comparison for 6000 MW Transmission Alternatives
Full Load Losses (%) 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Loss 250 mi Loss 500 mi (%) (%) 800 km 400 km Loss 750 mi Loss 1000 mi (%) (%) km 1600 1200 km
345 kV AC 8 circuits 500 kV AC 4 circuits 765 kV AC 2 circuit 500 kV 2 HVDC bipole 800 kV 1 HVDC bipole

Note: AC and DC line conductors chosen for comparable current densities, higher no. conductor bundles for higher voltage. Corona losses not included.

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 11

Post-contingency capacity 6000 MW base Margins: RAS/SPS, reduced severe weather limits?
Post Contingency Capacity for 6000 MW Transmission Alternatives using Probabilistic Reliability Criteria
7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Base Capacity (MW) N-1 Capacity (MW) N-2 Capacity (MW)
345 kV AC 8 single circuits 345 kV AC 4 double circuits 500 kV AC 4 single circuits 500 kV AC 2 double circuits 765 kV AC 2 single circuits 500 kV 2 HVDC bipole 800 kV 1 HVDC bipole

N-1 = Loss of one AC circuit or one HVDC pole, converter , excludes loss of tower N-2 = Loss of two AC circuits, two HVDC poles, includes loss of tower (Class C) Note: Capacity indicated is for lines loaded to their steady state stability limits no margin Plausible transfer limits with stability margins for N - 1 Plausible transfer limits with stability margins for N 1, if loss of single 400 kV converter or degraded insulation is treated probabilistically as N 1
ABB Group March 09 | Slide 12

Capacity MW

Pacific AC and DC Interties: PACI and PDCI Hybrid 2 x 500 kVac with SC and 500 kV HVDC
Hybrid: two multi-segment, series-compensated AC lines plus one bipolar DC link Combines local N-S access with parallel bypass for greater operational flexibility and efficiency PACI Links diverse resources - hydro in the Pac NW, thermal in the SW Seasonal load diversity between N and S PACI upgraded to ~50% higher current rating in late 90s through early 00s PDCI PDCI upgrades: 1440->1600->2000->3100 MW Combined IOU and public power development Nearly 4 decades of providing value to operation of the western interconnected system
ABB Group March 09 | Slide 13

Itaipu transmission example, 900 km (550 mi) 3 x 765 kV ac lines with SC = 2 x 600 kV HVDC lines Each HVDC line costs ~ 70% of AC line cost

ITAIPU 2 x 6300 MW

3 x 765 kV AC, 2 intermediate S/S 6300 MW with SC 4500 MW without SC 3 circuits

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 14

2 x 600 kV DC 6300 MW, 2 converters per pole 4700 MW with pole outage 4 circuits

Long distance bulk power transmission - 6000 MW AC, DC or hybrid connection ? AC

HVAC interconnections FACTS - fewer lines, improved voltage profile
HVDC more economical for longer distances (>400 km) or higher ratings (>2000 MW) Capex fewer lines, reduced line cost

800 kV

DC
500 kV

Opex reduced losses over longer distances, lower O&M Capacity 3000 to 6400 MW per bipolar line Reliability double circuit lines, can operate with reduced capacity, e.g. converter outage or degraded insulation Flexibility controllability, bypass congestion, firm, frees up capacity on parallel paths, asynchronous possible Environmental reduced ROW, dc magnetic fields, lower losses, less material

800 kV

ABB Group March 09 | Slide 15

Summary
Choice of transmission technology exists HVDC and FACTS reduce the number of lines for lower cost transmission HVDC adds operational flexibility for generator outlet transmission and for interconnections thereby complementing the AC system Fewer, less-expensive, double-circuit lines Bypass congestion, reduced parallel flow issues Controllable and firm HVDC transmission is more efficient for longer distances, e.g. > 250 mi Cost of tapping is higher with HVDC, some system location restrictions may apply, less restriction with HVDC Light Hybrid AC/DC systems provide both local access and transport functions HVDC can operate and be financed on a stand-alone project basis enabling more economic integration of diverse capacity into a smarter grid with more efficient use of capital
ABB Group March 09 | Slide 16