HVDC transmission: yesterday and today

Abstract

Basically, this paper takes a brief look at the history of HVDC to better understand its upcoming future. It also portrays some of the early developments in modern high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. Today there are 16 DC links operating or under construction in the United States and 21 in North America. There are additionally numerous links throughout Scandinavia as well as in Japan, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, and others; well over 100 world wide. And, many others are planned, especially in India and China. HVDC transmission is an important contributor to successful power system operation. The history is interesting; after a period of comparative dormancy the future is unexpectedly bright