1

Study Committee Representatives Annual MeetingOctober 4, 2009

Toronto

SC B4 “HVDC and Power Electronics”Activity Report

Presented by: John McNichol (Manitoba Hydro)

2

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

General Subject Matter• LCC (Line Commutated Converters) - Conventional technology for

HVDC transmission utilizing thyristors as the switching technology for rectifier and inverter operation

• VSC (Voltage Source Converters) – “New” Technology for HVDC conversion using IGBT switching technology. It is currently applied to schemes of less than 1000 MW. Technology is growing and its applications can include passive loads, wind and off shore oil rigs. Losses and IGBT rating are limiting factors that are gradually being overcome.

• FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) – Systems involving the controlled switching of capacitors and/or reactors to facilitate and stabilize increased power transmission. The elements may be series or shunt connected

3

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Membership

• 24 Regular Country Members (including Canada)• 4 Observer Country Members

Canadians On SC B4

• 10 Canadians are major contributors to the technical activities of the study committee

• 4 Canadians serve as Conveners of Advisory/Working Groups

4

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Structure - General

Leadership

• Chairman and Secretary

Supporting Organization

• 2 Advisory Groups (Permanent Standing)

• 8 Working Groups (Term Limited)

• 2 Joint Working Groups

5

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Structure - Advisory Groups

• AG 01 Strategic Advisory GroupEnsure all activities are appropriate and of sufficient priority and

meet the needs of the industry and users. Provide administrative

support to the Chairman. Encompasses the work of previous

Advisory Groups AG 02 (Working Group Conception and

Guidelines) AG 03 (Environment) and AG 05 (Tutorials and

Communication)

• AG 04 HVDC System PerformanceGather and publish the performance data of current operating

systems. Maintain a compendium of worldwide systems.

6

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Structure - Working Groups

• WG B4.38 Simulation of HVDC and FACTS

• WG B4.44 Planning Guidelines Dealing with HVDC

Environmental Issues

• WG B4.45 Technological Assessment of 800kv HVDC

Applications

• WG B4.46 Voltage Source Converter HVDC for Power

Transmission – Economic Aspects and Comparison with

Other AC and DC Technologies

7

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Structure – Working Groups

• WG B4.48 Component Testing of VSC Systems for

HVDC Applications

• WG 4.49 Performance Evaluation and Applications

Review of Existing Thyristor Controlled Series

Compensation Devices

• B4-51 Study of Converter Transformer Transients

Imposed on the HVDC Converter Transformers

• B4-52 HVDC Grid Feasibility Study

8

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Structure – Joint Working Groups

• JWG B2.17/B4/C1 Impacts of HVDC Lines on the

Economics of HVDC Projects

• JWG B4-B2-C3-50 Electric Field and Ion Current

Environment of HVDC Overhead Transmission Lines

9

Projects Completed

• WG B4.39 Integration of Large Scale Wind Power with HVDC and Power Electronics

• WG B4.40 Static Series Synchronous Compensator• WG B4.41 Systems with Multiple HVDC Infeeds• WG B4-45: Technological Assessment of 800 kV HVDC• Applications• WG B4.47 Special Issues in AC Filter Specifications for

HVDC• JWG A2.28/B4 HVDC Converter Transformer Test

Procedures

10

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Regular Meetings

Bergen Norway 2009 - Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial

Paris France 2010 - Regular Session

Melbourne Australia 2011 - Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial

Paris France 2012 – Regular Meeting

Foz de Iguacu Brazil 2013 – Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial

11

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

Paris 2010 Preferential Subjects

• PS1 Developments in HVDC and FACTS Technology

•UHV HVDC Transmission

•Multi-Terminal and Meshed HVDC Configurations

•HVDC and Facts as a Means to Improve System

Capacity Performance and Efficiency

12

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics

2010 Preferential Subjects

• PS2 HVDC and FACTS – Operating Experience and New

Projects

•Interconnections Using Land and/or Submarine Cables

and/or Overhead Lines

•Embedding of HVDC and FACTS in AC Networks

•Renewable Energy Applications

13

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics2010 Preferential Subjects

• PS3 HVDC and FACTS Project Development Issues

•Environmental Issues for HVDC and FACTS Schemes,

Including Visual Impact,Earth Return,Audible Noise, EMF

and Ions

•System Performance with Embedded HVDC Links,

Including Multi Infeed and Ancillary Services

•Options Considered, Regulatory, Licensing, Project

Funding, and Technical Risks Issues