Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 1 What role does High Voltage Direct Current play and what HVDC backbones or supergrids does Europe need?
Gianluca Fulli
European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Energy Outline
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 2
• The European transmission grid
• HVDC features and challenges
• Developments of offshore/Mediterranean grids
• A vision for a European super grid
• Conclusions Power system evolution
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 3
GENERATION SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION (EXTRA HIGH VOLTAGE GRID) Transmission (super-smarter)
SUBTRANSMISSION (HIGH VOLTAGE GRID)
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
HIGH-MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION
Distribution LOW VOLTAGE (smart) DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
UTILISATION SYSTEM HVDC – recent trends
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 4
• Power grids traditionally based on HVAC – High Voltage Alternating Current technologies
• HVDC already used
– to link systems with different frequencies (asynchronous) and
– for very long lines and underground/submarine cables
• New HVDC concepts add on flexibility, responsiveness and controllability over traditional HVDC
– also for multi-terminal applications needed for offshore wind HVDC vs. HVAC
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 5 The breakdown distance depends on link length, voltage and power rating
HVAC
HVDC HVDC features and challenges
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 6
• Investment costs for HVDC may be sizeable
• HVDC displacing HVAC can reduce environmental/visual impact
• HVDC can act as a ‘firewall’ immunising the AC grid from wide area problems/disruptions
• Open questions for research & demonstration:
– Meshed (i.e. multiterminal) HVDC lines
– Interoperability of HVDC into AC grids
– HVDC superconductors From present European transmission grid to...
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 7
(Source: ENTSO-E) HVDC for offshore grids
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 8 Mid-long term vision of ENTSOE
2030 vision of EWEA (Wind association) Grid developments: North Sea
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 9
Crucial challenge for DC meshed grids: DC breaker and new technology developments
(Source: OffshoreGrid project) Mediterranean ring
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 10
(Source: Medring update study) DESERTEC
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 11
Technical, economic and political issues for this long-term project
(Source: Desertec) European Super Grid vision
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 12 Long-term combination of offshore (HVDC/HVAC) grids, enlarged HVAC continental network, DESERTEC and MedRing as parts of the European transmission grid
(Source: ENTSO-E) Conclusions
Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 13
• HVDC favourite option for long-distance power transmission and for connection of offshore large-sized renewable plants
• Significant investment and technological demonstration needed for reinforced transmission highways leading to a super grid
• Coordination of HVDC planning and operation necessary, as well as an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 14 What role does High Voltage Direct Current play and what HVDC backbones or supergrids does Europe need?
European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Energy