1. Study Committee Representatives Annual Report December, 2012
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) – “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

3. 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

4. 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

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
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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics
Regular Meetings
Brasillia Brazil Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial
Paris France Regular Session
Agra India Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial
Paris France 2016 – Regular Session

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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