Technical and economic comparison between direct current and half-wavelength transmission systems for very long distances

Author(s)

Samorodov, German ; Kandakov, Simeon ; Zilberman, Samuil ; Krasilnikova, Tatyana ; Tavares, Maria Cristina ; Machado, Jr., Camilo ; Li, Qingmin

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: IET GENERATION TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION; v. 11, n. 11, p. 2871-2878, AUG 3 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

This study presents the results of technical and economic analysis of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system and high-voltage alternating current transmission system for bulk transmission over very long distances. The last is a point-to-point transmission that does not need reactive compensation and does not have intermediate substations, the half-wavelength transmission (HWL). Special attention is paid to reliability and ways to meet the N-1 criteria regarding security and adequacy. Single-circuit lines instead of double-circuit ones are considered for economic and environmental reasons ensuring the same reliability when clearing the most frequent line-to-ground (or single-pole) fault. For this, single-circuit line with reserve phase for HWL and quadripolar single-circuit line for HVDC are proposed. The analysed system considered Brazilian electrical system conditions: 6000MW transmission over 2500km. This study highlights the advantages of applying a reserve phase for HWLs and a third converter substation increase to cope with system security with minimum cost. It is shown that the single-circuit HWL with reserve phase has an investment 30% lower than that for HVDC, resulting in a total yearly cost 15% lower. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/05626-0 - Contributions to electromagnetic transient and protection studies: application to Brazilian electrical system
• Grantee: Maria Cristina Dias Tavares
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants