Asynchronous grids

A number of HVDC links interconnect two AC systems that are not synchronous. When
AC systems are to be connected, they
must be synchronized. This means that they should operate at the same voltage and
frequency, which can be difficult to
achieve. Since HVDC is asynchronous it can adapt to any rated voltage and frequency
it receives. Hence, HVDC is used to
connect large AC systems in many parts of the world.

For example, the Nordel power system in Scandinavia is not synchronous with the
UCTE grid in western continental Europe,
even though the nominal frequencies are the same. And the power system of the
eastern USA is not synchronous with that of
western USA, Texas or Quebc. There are also HVDC links between networks with
different nominal frequencies (50 and 60 Hz)
in for example Japan and South America.

Long distance water crossings

There are no technical limits to the potential length of a HVDC cable. In a long AC
cable transmission, the reactive
power flow due to the large cable capacitance will limit the maximum possible
transmission distance. With HVDC there
is no such limitation; this is why, for very long cable links, HVDC is the only
viable technical transmission alternative.

The 580-km long, ABB-built NorNed link is the worlds longest submarine high-
voltage cable. It runs from southern Norway,
crosses the North Sea and lands in The Netherlands. Read more about the NorNed link
here.

Several HVDC links with very long submarine cables are being considered today,
mainly in Europe. One example is Iceland -
Europe.

Controllability
A fundamental advantage of HVDC technology is the ease of controlling active power
in the link.
In most HVDC links, the main control is based on constant power transfer. This
property of HVDC has become more important
in recent years, given the shrinking margins of power networks as electricity
markets in many countries are deregulated.

In many cases, an HVDC link can also improve the performance of AC power systems by
means of additional control facilities
. Normally these controls are activated automatically as certain criteria are
fulfilled. Automatic HVDC control functions
include constant frequency control, redistribution of the power flow in the AC
network, damping of power swings in the AC
networks, etc. In many cases such additional control functions can make possible
the safe increase of power transmission
capability in AC transmission lines where stability is a limitation.

Today's advanced semiconductor technology, used in both power thyristors and

microprocessors for control systems, has
created almost unlimited control possibilities in HVDC transmission systems.
Different software programs are used for
different studies supporting these control options.

Normally a positive sequence program, for example PTIs PSS/E program is used for
load-flow and stability studies. For
more detailed investigations of the performance of inner control loops of the
converter and its interaction with a nearby
network, a simulation is created in a full three-phase representation program such
as PSCAD/EMTDC.

Low short circuit currents

An HVDC transmission does not contribute to the short circuit current of the
interconnected AC system.

When a high-power AC transmission is constructed from a power plant to a major load

center, the short circuit current
level will increase in the receiving system. High short circuit currents are
becoming an increasingly difficult problem
for many large cities, which may result in the need to replace existing circuit
breakers and other equipment if the
rating is too low.

But if new generating plants are connected to the load center using a DC link, the
situation is quite different. The
reason is an HVDC transmission does not contribute to the short circuit current of
the interconnected AC system.

https://www.slideshare.net/zunaibali/dc-transmission