HVDC East-South interconnector II in India: 2000 MW, +/-500 kV

In India there are presently six HVDC systems in operation which have contributed considerably to the linking of its dissimilar regional grids. In March 2000, Powergrid, the largest power transmission utility of India, awarded a new long distance HVDC transmission project to Siemens Germany. This project is being executed now. The HVDC system 'East-South' will transmit 2000 MW of electrical energy from the power generation centre in Talcher in the State of Orissa-over a distance of about 1400 km-to Bangalore in the State of Karnataka, a rapidly developing industrial high-tech area that needs this bulk power urgently to cope with its increasing electricity demand. The present paper highlights some key aspects of this mega project starting from design considerations for all vital components including converter valves, converter transformers and a state-of-the-art control and protection system. Furthermore, the paper introduces the design and performance criteria for the transmission system.