You are invited to attend the 2011 EPRI High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) & FACTS Conference, August 30-31, at EPRI in Palo Alto, CA. There is a growing interest in HVDC & FACTS due to new applications such as renewable integration and smart grid implementation. HVDC is becoming an economic choice for bulk power transfer from wind power generators both on-shore (overhead lines) and off-shore (cables). EPRI is pioneering in HVDC and FACTS technologies over the last two decades, and this annual conference will highlight the most recent advancements in these areas.
Developed to meet a combination of technical and economic considerations, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) was launched in 1954 with the first commercial transmission link between the Gotland and the mainland of Sweden. Since then, HVDC technology has advanced dramatically, and close to 100 HVDC transmission systems have been installed around the world. Though each individual transmission project will claim its own set of reasons justifying the choice of HVDC, the most common arguments favoring HVDC include the following:
• Lower overall investment cost.
• The potential for long distance transmission.
• Lower losses. Typically, because HVDC comprises active power flow only, it causes 20% lower losses than HVAC lines, which comprise active and reactive power flow.
• The potential for asynchronous interconnection. For example, it allows for connecting networks of 50 Hz and 60 Hz frequencies.
• Higher system controllability with at least one HVDC link embedded in an Alternating Current (AC) grid. In the deregulated environment, the controllability feature is particularly useful where control of energy trading is needed.
• Less expensive circuit breakers, simpler bus-bar arrangements in switchgear because HVDC links do not increase the short circuit currents, as converters ensure that the current added never exceeds a preset value.
• Increased stability and improvements in power quality.
• Enhanced environmental solutions.
EPRI continues to play a vital leadership role in the theoretical and experimental fronts in HVDC, Alternating Current/Direct Current (AC/DC) conversion equipment, and operation of HVDC systems. The EPRI High Voltage Laboratory in Lenox, MA, is a unique research and testing resource available to EPRI members. Lenox Laboratory has conducted pioneering research for a half a century, first under the direction of General Electric and later as a dedicated EPRI center.
Further, many countries around the world (including sub-equatorial Africa, China, and India) are building or considering building HVDC systems at voltage levels of +/- 800 kV and above, creating a need for additional research to develop various components to operate at these UHV levels.
EPRI also pioneered the FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) technology over the last two decades to make it possible to load lines at least for some contingencies up to their thermal limits without compromising system reliability. In order to understand what is required of the FACTS controllers, EPRI has initiated several FACTS system studies with various utilities around the world. EPRI also demonstrated the state of the art FACTS technologies working closely with utilities and manufacturers. These FACTS technologies include TCSC (Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator), STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator), SSSC (Static Synchronous Series Compensator), UPFC (Unified Power Flow Controller), IPFC (Inter-phase Power Flow Controller), and CSC (Convertible Static Compensator).
EPRI has an on-going research program and many on-going and proposed projects are dedicated to developing technologies related to HVDC and FACTS. As part of this research program, EPRI sponsors the HVDC & FACTS Conference every year to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas related these technologies.
Who Should Attend:
Engineers, system enginerrs, system planners, system operators, consultants, manufacturers and university professors.
