High Voltage DC Solutions

High Voltage DC solutions efficiently transport power over long distances without the costly line loss associated with AC power transmission.

High voltage DC is being touted as the transmission methodology of the future—revisiting the assertions made originally by Thomas Edison. “The advantages of HVDC then became readily apparent. Compared to AC, HVDC is more efficient—a thousand-mile HVDC line carrying thousands of megawatts might lose 6 to 8 percent of its power, compared to 12 to 25 percent for a similar AC line1.”

There are two other important factors to consider in HVDC. First, HVDC transmission allows for elimination of towers and aerial cables by using underground and submarine transmission. As power generation becomes more distant from the power consumer, this is essential to all power utilities. Placing towers and aerial transmission has become almost impossible in populated areas. In areas where aerial facilities exist, is the ability to construct a DC plant on existing AC tower paths, replacing AC lines. Thus, delivering more power to the same people, without creating a “not in my backyard” conflict.

Employing Mitsubishi Electric HVDC solutions results in the ultimate improvements in the following specific ways:

• Lowered cost by avoiding AC transmission line losses, which is a direct function of distance, voltage and power transfer.
• Considerably friendlier to the future of alternative energy generation and transmission, where high voltage DC power is being generated for transport to traditional grids.
• HVDC is often necessary as a means of delivering high voltage power across the boundaries of two dissimilar systems. This could be company boundaries, territorial boundaries or national boundaries.
• Provides a low loss solution, with the most efficient method of transmission technology
• Enables the controllability of intermittent power
• Improves environment impact as a result of the smaller towers and right of way requirements
• Increasing power capabilities up to 3 times more than AC circuits

Source 1 - “High-Voltage DC Breakthrough Could Boost Renewable Energy,” Patrick J. Kiger, National Geographic News