HVDC transmission - opportunities and challenges

Abstract

HVDC transmission has a number of technical advantages compared with HVAC transmission, which have been highlighted in many papers. However, HVDC transmission has remained a niche technology, being used only for long distance overhead transmission, submarine cable and frequency conversion. Nevertheless, HVDC projects often provide strategically important enhancements and cost-effective additions to AC networks. Recent developments in energy policies and stronger environmental lobbies could make HVDC transmission attractive for many more applications. This paper reviews technical issues faced by users of HVDC transmission and discusses how HVDC could be made more generally acceptable as a transmission solution.