Electric power transmission
Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical energy from a generating site, such as a power plant, to an electrical substation. The interconnected lines that facilitate this movement form a ''transmission network''. This is ...
high-voltage direct-current
A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system uses direct current (DC) for electric power transmission, in contrast with the more common alternating current (AC) transmission systems. Most HVDC links use voltages betwe ...
(HVDC) involves usually two converter stations and a transmission line. Generally overhead lines are used, but an important class of HVDC projects use
submarine power cable
A submarine power cable is a transmission cable for carrying electric power below the surface of the water.Thury system of motor-generators but these have all been made obsolete by later developments such as mercury-arc valves (now also obsolete), thyristors, and
IGBT
An insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor device primarily forming an electronic switch. It was developed to combine high efficiency with fast switching. It consists of four alternating layers (NPNP) that ...
power transistors.
Legend
Converter technology:
* Thury = Series-connected generators as designed by
René Thury
René Thury (7 August 1860 – 23 April 1938) was a Switzerland, Swiss pioneer in electrical engineering. He was known for his work with high voltage direct current electricity transmission and was known in the professional world as the "Kin ...
* Merc =
Mercury-arc valve
A mercury-arc valve or mercury-vapor rectifier or (UK) mercury-arc rectifier is a type of electrical rectifier used for converting high-voltage or high- current alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It is a type of cold cathode gas-f ...
rectifier and inverter
* Thyr =
Thyristor
A thyristor (, from a combination of Greek language ''θύρα'', meaning "door" or "valve", and ''transistor'' ) is a solid-state semiconductor device which can be thought of as being a highly robust and switchable diode, allowing the passage ...
rectifier and inverter
* IGBT =
Insulated gate bipolar transistor
An insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor device primarily forming an electronic switch. It was developed to combine high efficiency with fast switching. It consists of four alternating layers (NPNP) that ...
2 As of 9 December 2015, LitPol Link started trial operations. 3 Caithness Moray HVDC serves a number of renewable energy sources in the north of Scotland - see map 4 Contracts due to be placed in 2016. 5 Elia says construction expected to start in late 2017. 6 Date is that quoted to support the Shetland Wind Farm that SSE is a part investor in. 7 Decision on project expected in 2017 following consultation - see SSE PD reference.
Desertec
Desertec (Often: ''DESERTEC'') is a non-profit foundation aimed at sustainably and ecologically producing electricity in sunny regions of the world. Sunny deserts are therefore the focus. The energy is intended to be used locally, but also expor ...
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Electrode line
An electrode line is used in some high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) power transmission systems, to connect the converter stations to distant ground electrodes. Many long-distance HVDC systems use sea or ground return for the DC neutral current ...
High-voltage direct current
A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system uses direct current (DC) for electric power transmission, in contrast with the more common alternating current (AC) transmission systems. Most HVDC links use voltages betwe ...
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List of high voltage underground and submarine cables
This is a list of high voltage (above 150 kV) alternating current, AC electrical transmission lines. This list is incomplete.
For high-voltage direct current, both Undergrounding, underground and submarine power cables, submarine, see List of H ...
Scotland-Norway interconnector
The NorthConnect (also known as Scotland–Norway interconnector) was a proposed 1,400MW HVDC interconnector over the floor of the North Sea.
Interconnection
It would have been the first HVDC route to connect Scotland's electricity network di ...
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HVDC converter station
An HVDC converter station (or simply converter station) is a specialised type of substation which forms the terminal equipment for a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line.Arrillaga, Jos; High Voltage Direct Current Transmission, s ...
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Super grid
A super grid or supergrid is a wide-area transmission grid (electricity), network, generally trans-continental or multinational, that is intended to make possible the trade of high volumes of electricity across great distances. It is sometimes a ...
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Submarine power cable
A submarine power cable is a transmission cable for carrying electric power below the surface of the water.Transmission tower
A transmission tower (also electricity pylon, hydro tower, or pylon) is a tall structure, usually a lattice tower made of steel that is used to support an overhead power line. In electrical grids, transmission towers carry high-voltage transmis ...
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Uno Lamm
August Uno Lamm (May 22, 1904 – June 1, 1989) was a Swedish electrical engineer and inventor.
He was sometimes called "The Father of High Voltage Direct Current" power transmission.
During his career, Lamm obtained 150 patents. In 1980 the I ...
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Valve hall
A valve hall is a building which contains the valves of the static inverters of a high-voltage direct current plant. The valves consist of thyristors, or at older plants, mercury arc rectifiers. Mercury arc rectifiers are usually supported by ...