Increase in the demand for electricity has resulted to endlessly increase in integration of renewable sources of energy as sustainable alternatives to massive fossil fuel compelled power plants. This has called for more long distance power transmission. To achieve this purpose High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) is applied. This is one of the areas of application of power electronics in power transmission. Another technology where power electronics are used in power transmission is FACTS ( Flexible AC Transmission Systems). This paper discusses the application of power electronics in HVDC and FACTS.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
The technology of HVDC is one of the applications of power electronics in power transmission. The HVDC technology at the start was using mercury ionic valves. However, it has now switched to thyristors, and as a result, it has been instrumental in pushing the technology of thyristors to ever increasing need power transmission (Giraneza, 2013). The development of thyristors has gained a broad application in the field of the HVDC system. The power transmission uses the HVDC system to provide sufficient power to the utilities and also reduce losses. The implementation of Light Triggering Thyristors (LTT) has made a pronounced impact on the development of compact and reliable thyristor values. The technology is widely used in Japan where the HVDC system controls the bi-directional flow of 2.8 GW on submarine cables having a length of 50.5 Km as well as overhead transmission cables having a length of 50 Km between two electric power companies in Japan. This results in a higher degree of stability in power systems.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS)
FACTS is another area in which power electronics is applied in the transmission of power. FACTS controllers are utilized to enhance the volume of transmission to the thermal limit of transmission lines (Ali, 2015). FACTS also enhance in fast voltage control where there are contingencies as well as avoid loop flows producing unwanted loading of certain transmission facilities. They also improve system stability as well as system security.
References
Ali, N. (2015). Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS). [Online]. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/Hamayun14373Liaqat/facts-devices-power-electronics . Accessed 27 th Sept 2018.
Giraeza, M. (2013). High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) in Applications for Distributed Independent Power Providers (IPP). [Online]. Available at: http://etd.cput.ac.za/bitstream/handle/20.500.11838/1077/Giraneza_M_212163361.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y . Accessed 27 th Sept 2018.
