Study Committee Representatives Annual Report December, 2012 SC B4 “HVDC and Power Electronics” Activity Report Presented by: John McNichol (Manitoba Hydro)

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics General Subject Matter LCC (Line Commutated Converters) - Conventional technology for HVDC transmission utilizing thyristors as the switching technology for rectifier and inverter operation VSC (Voltage Source Converters) – “Newer” Technology for HVDC conversion using IGBT switching technology. It is currently applied to schemes of less than 1400 MW. Technology is growing and its applications can include passive loads, wind and off shore oil rigs. Losses and IGBT rating are limiting factors that are gradually being overcome. FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) – Systems involving the controlled switching of capacitors and/or reactors to facilitate and stabilize increased power transmission. The elements may be series or shunt connected

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Membership 24 Regular Country Members (including Canada) 6 Observer Country Members Canadians On SC B4 18 Canadians are major contributors to the technical activities of the study committee 5 Canadians serve as Conveners of Working/Advisory Group Several additional expert supporting contributors on special subjects

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - General Leadership Chairman and Secretary Supporting Organization 4 Advisory Groups (Permanent Standing) 13 Working Groups (Term Limited) 2 Joint Working Groups

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - Advisory Groups AG 01 Strategic Advisory Group Ensure all activities are appropriate and of sufficient priority and meet the needs of the industry and users AG 02 DC Grid Coordination Coordinate the work performed by the Working Groups studying the DC Grid issues. AG 03 Communication and Website Develop the new website AG 04 HVDC System Performance Gather and publish the performance data of current operating systems and maintain a compendium of worldwide systems

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - Working Groups WG B4.38 Simulation of HVDC and FACTS WG B4.47 Special Issues in AC Filter Specifications for HVDC WG 4.49 Performance Evaluation and Applications Review of Existing Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation Devices WG B4.51 Study Of Converter Voltage Transients On the HVDC Converter Transformers WG B4.52 HVDC Grid Feasibility Study

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Working Groups WG B4-53 Guidelines for Procurement and Testing of STATCOMs WG B4-54 Guidelines for Life Extension of Existing HVDC Schemes WG B4-55 HVDC Connection of Offshore Wind Power Plants WG B4-56 Guidelines for Preparation of Connection Agreements or Grid Codes for HVDC Grids

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Joint Working Groups WG B4-57 Guide for the Development of Models for HVDC Converters in an HVDC Grid WG B4-58 Devices for Load Flow Control and Methodologies for Direct Voltage Control in a Meshed HVDC Grid WG B4-60 Designing HVDC Grids for Optimal Reliability and Availability Performance WG B4-61 General Guidelines for HVDC Electrode Design

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Joint Working Groups JWG B4/B5-59 Control and Protection of HVDC Grids JWG C4/C1/B4-604 Influence of Imbedded HVDC Transmission on System Security and AC Network Performance

B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Completed Working Groups WG B4.44 Planning Guidelines Dealing with HVDC Environmental Issues WG B4.46 Voltage Source Converter HVDC for Power Transmission – Economic Aspects and Comparison with Other AC and DC Technologies WG B4.48 Component Testing of VSC Systems for HVDC Applications

B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Completed Joint Working Groups JWG B4/B2/C3.50 Electric Field and Ion Current Environment of HVDC Overhead Transmission Lines JWG B5/B4.25 Impact of HVDC Stations on Protection of AC Systems

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Proposed New Working Groups 1) Recommended DC Voltages and Converter Topologies for HVDC Grids 2) Connection of Wind Farms to Weak AC Networks 3) Impact of AC System Characteristics on the Performance of HVDC Schemes 4) Commissioning of VSC HVDC Schemes * Terms of Reference are under development for these proposed Working Groups and they will then be submitted to the Technical Committee for approval.

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Regular Meetings Brasillia Brazil - 2013 Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France 2014 - Regular Session Agra India - 2015 Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France 2016 – Regular Session

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics 2014 Preferential Subjects PS1 HVDC & FACTS Technology Developments Technology Development Including HVDC Grids Connection of Renewable Resources Project Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Issues Project Implementation and Service Experience

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics 2014 Preferential Subjects PS2 FACTS Systems and Applications Renewable Resources Integration Increased Network Performance Project Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Issues Project Implementation and Service Experience

SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics 2014 Preferential Subjects PS3 Power Electronic Equipment Developments Converters for Renewable Generation and Energy Storage DC Circuit Breakers, Dc Load Flow Controllers and Fault Current Limiting Devices New Semi Conductor Devices and Converter Topologies