1 Study Committee Representatives Annual Meeting October 4, 2009 Toronto SC B4 “HVDC and Power Electronics” Activity Report Presented by: John McNichol (Manitoba Hydro)

2 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) – “New” Technology for HVDC conversion using IGBT switching technology. It is currently applied to schemes of less than 1000 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

3 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Membership 24 Regular Country Members (including Canada) 4 Observer Country Members Canadians On SC B4 10 Canadians are major contributors to the technical activities of the study committee 4 Canadians serve as Conveners of Advisory/Working Groups

4 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - General Leadership Chairman and Secretary Supporting Organization 2 Advisory Groups (Permanent Standing) 8 Working Groups (Term Limited) 2 Joint Working Groups

5 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. Provide administrative support to the Chairman. Encompasses the work of previous Advisory Groups AG 02 (Working Group Conception and Guidelines) AG 03 (Environment) and AG 05 (Tutorials and Communication) AG 04 HVDC System Performance Gather and publish the performance data of current operating systems. Maintain a compendium of worldwide systems.

6 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - Working Groups WG B4.38 Simulation of HVDC and FACTS WG B4.44 Planning Guidelines Dealing with HVDC Environmental Issues WG B4.45 Technological Assessment of 800kv HVDC Applications WG B4.46 Voltage Source Converter HVDC for Power Transmission – Economic Aspects and Comparison with Other AC and DC Technologies

7 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Working Groups WG B4.48 Component Testing of VSC Systems for HVDC Applications WG 4.49 Performance Evaluation and Applications Review of Existing Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation Devices B4-51 Study of Converter Transformer Transients Imposed on the HVDC Converter Transformers B4-52 HVDC Grid Feasibility Study

8 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Joint Working Groups JWG B2.17/B4/C1 Impacts of HVDC Lines on the Economics of HVDC Projects JWG B4-B2-C3-50 Electric Field and Ion Current Environment of HVDC Overhead Transmission Lines

9 Projects Completed WG B4.39 Integration of Large Scale Wind Power with HVDC and Power Electronics WG B4.40 Static Series Synchronous Compensator WG B4.41 Systems with Multiple HVDC Infeeds WG B4-45: Technological Assessment of 800 kV HVDC Applications WG B4.47 Special Issues in AC Filter Specifications for HVDC JWG A2.28/B4 HVDC Converter Transformer Test Procedures

10 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Regular Meetings Bergen Norway Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France Regular Session Melbourne Australia Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France 2012 – Regular Meeting Foz de Iguacu Brazil 2013 – Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial

11 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Paris 2010 Preferential Subjects PS1 Developments in HVDC and FACTS Technology UHV HVDC Transmission Multi-Terminal and Meshed HVDC Configurations HVDC and Facts as a Means to Improve System Capacity Performance and Efficiency

12 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics 2010 Preferential Subjects PS2 HVDC and FACTS – Operating Experience and New Projects Interconnections Using Land and/or Submarine Cables and/or Overhead Lines Embedding of HVDC and FACTS in AC Networks Renewable Energy Applications

13 SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics 2010 Preferential Subjects PS3 HVDC and FACTS Project Development Issues Environmental Issues for HVDC and FACTS Schemes, Including Visual Impact,Earth Return,Audible Noise, EMF and Ions System Performance with Embedded HVDC Links, Including Multi Infeed and Ancillary Services Options Considered, Regulatory, Licensing, Project Funding, and Technical Risks Issues