Feasibility Evaluation on Elimination of DC Filters for Line-Commutated Converter-Based High-Voltage Direct Current Projects in New Situations

Abstract

The line-commutated converter (LCC)-based high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology has been widely applied on long-distance and bulk-capacity power transmission occasions. Due to the terrible interferences in the vicinity of communication lines, DC filters (DCFs) are always installed to mitigate the interferences within acceptable levels for almost all in-service overhead line transmission LCC-HVDC schemes. With the rapid development of the communication technology, however, the anti-interference capability of the telephone system has been remarkably improved. Thus, the original purpose of employing DCFs has been virtually absent, and the necessity of the DCFs shall be re-evaluated in sufficient depth not only for new LCC-HVDC projects, but also in the case of refurbishment of older projects. To demonstrate this constructive topic, this paper carries out a commercial ±800 kV/8000 MW LCC-HVDC project as an illustrative example to analyze and discuss those crucial aspects, which may influence the LCC-HVDC stable operation and reliability after removing the DCFs. Then, the paper studies the harmonic voltage/current stresses of the DC equipment, the DC loop low-order harmonic resonances, and the overvoltage under the switching surge and lightning stroke. Finally, it is concluded that the DCF elimination mainly affects the harmonic steady-state stresses of the DC equipment, but has little influence on the transient stresses. For the refurbishment of older projects, the evaluation on the cost between the DCFs’ maintenance cost and the equipment modification is needed for the DCFs’ elimination. For new LCC-HVDC projects, the DCFs’ elimination or at least simplification may be a more economical and attractive alternative, thereby reducing the footprint and cost.