HVDC Power Transmission for Remote Hydroelectric Plants

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India, China and Brazil are well advanced in the development of remote
$ T/ g* s; v1 ~" ]# Y% ihydroelectric power plants. Brazil is now considering ever longer transmission
distances, with the planning of hydroelectric development in the Amazon region. In
Africa we also see plans to develop large hydroelectric projects with very long
transmission distances.  This increase in transmission distances has led to the
consideration of higher voltages for HVDC transmission, with ± 800 kV already
; V# M2 {7 T- j) g. a' Wbeing proposed for several projects in China and India.
9 s' f, g. [7 nIn Brazil development of hydroelectric power in the Amazon region includes active
7 U+ o6 f6 s" estudy of the Belo Monte and Rio Madeira projects. Both have planned ultimate
capacities in the order of 10 000 MW. In China, Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba
; P: T7 I4 V9 C- h8 J5 ^hydroelectric power stations on Jingsha river are already under development with a
combined capacity of 18 600 MW. With distances of more than 2000 km to the
country’s main load centres, the use of ± 800 kV transmissions is being studied.  
This paper addresses the advantages of using HVDC for bulk power transmission
at voltage levels including ± 800 kV and discusses optimum line and converter
9 J% Y. ^' q! W/ i. g- m) \$ U* [ratings taking into account the relative size of the receiving network and staged
% x) ?* ~4 s' jdevelopment of the plant. Brazil already has a good history of the use of HVDC to
connect remote hydroelectric plants with the Itaipu, 6 300 MW transmission, now in
operation for more than 20 years with the worlds highest operating voltage of
# y8 f/ U. `- N- S0 H) s# d± 600 kV.