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Network Capacity - Barriers to Application of Multi-Terminal HVDC in the UK: WP2 Task 4


Citation Mott MacDonald Network Capacity - Barriers to Application of Multi-Terminal HVDC in the UK: WP2 Task 4, ETI, 2010. https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000670.
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Author(s) Mott MacDonald
Project partner(s) Mott MacDonald
Publisher ETI
DOI https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000670
Download ESD_EN2002_4.pdf document type
Abstract The UK’s electricity transmission and distribution systems have little spare capacity to accommodate the widespread changes in volume and location of power flows arising from planned changes in generation type and characteristics, and from major changes in demand patterns. Gaining consents for the construction of new overhead lines is extremely time-consuming and costly. Without action, this will increasingly constrain the necessary changes in generation and demand.

The ‘Network Capacity’ project has assessed the feasibility of using new technologies now emerging in the marketplace or in development, including multi-terminal HVDC systems, in novel ways in order to provide increased Transmission & Distribution system capacity and improved management of network power flows, in order to facilitate increased renewable energy installation levels in the UK.

The report assesses both technical and non-technical barriers to the deployment of multi terminal HVDC in the UK transmission system. It begins on page 11 of this document and is 20 pages long.

The barriers are considered under the following headings:
  • Technical Barriers
    • Line Commutated Converters (LCC)
    • Voltage Source Converters (VSC)
    • Converting AC Transmission Lines to DC Transmission
    • Underground DC Transmission
    • Multi-terminal VSC
    • HVDC Circuit Breakers
  • Non-Technical Barriers
    • Costs Associated with Multi-terminal HVDC Links
    • Environmental Concerns
    • Supply Chain Issues
Solutions and barrier mitigation are presented in conclusion
Associated Project(s) ETI-EN2002: Network Capacity
Associated Dataset(s) No associated datasets
Associated Publication(s)

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Network Capacity - Request for Proposal

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