HVDC Light back-to-back station will control power flow and allow for integration of additional renewable energy
The American Transmission Company (ATC) has chosen ABB to supply a back-to-back HVDC Light station that will help control the flow of power and enhance grid stability in the State of Michigan, U.S.
The 200 megawatt back-to-back HVDC Light station will be situated on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the existing Straits Substation and in line with an existing 138 kV AC cable double circuit across the Straits of Mackinac. During maintenance or other stops of one converter, the other converter is designed to run as a STATCOM, continuing to give dynamic voltage support to the network.
In this case, the choice of VSC technology over classical HVDC technology was above all islanded operation, under certain operating conditions, and to obtain voltage and reactive power control with the connection of additional wind generation. Other important features were the stabilization of the extremely weak network and a technical feature called black-start, the capability of restarting a grid after a black-out.
This is the world’s first HVDC back-to-back system of considerable size using VSC technology. The link is scheduled to go into operation in 2014.
| Main data |  |
|---|
| Commissioning year: | 2014 |
| Power rating: | 200 MW |
| No. of poles: | 2 |
| AC voltage: | Both sides: 138 kV |
| DC voltage: | 70 kV |
| Type of link: | Back-to-back station |
| Main reason for choosing HVDC: | Islanded operation, under certain operating conditions. The need for voltage stability and power flow control |