Why HVDC Light®?

HVDC Light® is state-of-the-art power transmission technology that is environmentally friendly, and transmits power using underground and submarine cables.  It is particularly useful in modern electrical networks where systems need to be flexible, allow for large variations and frequent changes in production patterns, and meet tougher environmental regulations and community acceptance standards.  HVDC Light® is manufactured by ABB Inc. one of the world’s largest and most successful electrical manufacturing and engineering companies.

Environmental benefits include:

• Easy integration of renewable sources of energy into grids; for example, it is well suited to harnessing wind power.
• Virtual elimination of magnetic fields since HVDC Light® cables are laid in pairs with DC currents in opposite directions.
• No risk of oil spill, as in paper-oil insulated cables.
• Safe, polyethylene-based cable insulation.
• Reusable cable metals.

Power transmission via cables means:

• No visual impact
• No ground current
• No electric fields.
• Low losses - HVDC cables are generally much more efficient for long distance transmissions than AC cables, in particular for high power.
• Long lifetime - The inherent lifetime of insulating materials is better for HVDC than for AC.
• No audible noise, unlike overhead lines

HVDC Light® control technology allows for:

• Fast and accurate power control
• Smooth power reversal (step-less power transfer around zero MW)
•  ‘Black start’ capability, which means it can power up networks that have suffered 100 percent failure.

HVDC Videos

The video “Blackout” shows the effect of continuing to rely on aging infrastructure, old technology and minimum reliability standards.
Courtesy of http://library.abb.com

The Video "Touching Tomorrow" shows a vision for future development using renewable resources and the most efficient and reliable modern transmission technology.
Courtesy of http://library.abb.com