Meshed Hvdc Transmission in the Content of Sustainable Power Transmission for the Future and Its Environmental Impact

Abstract

When talking about the future of power systems, power transmissions cannot be omitted. While it makes sense to generate renewable energy where the potential is highest, it often means that renewable plants will be far from industrial zones or load centers. Hence, volatile renewable energy has to be transmitted over long distances. Because DC transmission has less line losses and the AC/DC grid couplings (converter) are fully controllable, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission is favored for modern long distance power transmission to reinforce existing AC transmission. In America, Europe, and around the world, HVDC transmission is discussed and implemented in grid expansion plans and studies. These plans range from point-to-point HVDC links, multi-terminal radial HVDC systems towards meshed HVDC grids. Some studies even introduce a complete transition from AC to DC power systems. This paper, based on previous work, explores meshed HVDC grids, and their ability to transmit volatile renewable energy in bulk and over long distances. Using these grids is shown to prevent a massive AC grid expansion, and therefore positively impact the environment. The ideas introduced in this paper are applied in a feasibility study of a pan-European-North African HVDC transmission grid and analogies and challenges for a pan-American HVDC grid are derived, as well as the positive environmental impact comparing an AC transmission grid reinforcement.

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Author Information
Sven Bohn, Fraunhofer IOSB-AST, Germany
Anne-Katrin Marten, Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany
Michael Agsten, Fraunhofer IOSB-AST, Germany
Dirk Westermann, Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany

• Category: Energy: Renewable Energy and Environmental Solutions

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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