HVDC carries America's coal energy eastward. [From power station in N. Dakota to Duluth]

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Energy Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7237510

Jeffs, E

The problem of delivering western coal to eastern consumers may be resolved by generating electricity at the mine mouth and transmitting it by high voltage direct current (hvdc). Two major projects are underway: one to feed dc power to Duluth and Minneapolis and one to feed ac power to Los Angeles. Smaller projects have also been initiated. Canada has several hvdc projects in operation and others under construction. General Electric has been a major contributor to most of these projects after entering the field in the early 1970s. The major applications for hvdc are long distance transmission from power plant to heavy consumer, an isolated island load connection, and connection of two networks. All of these make hvdc appropriate for North America. Present designs are based on air-cooled, air-insulated valves, but General Electric is now considering such alternatives as a water-cooled valve or gas-insulated underground cables using SF/sub 6/. A bigger power transfer capacity is possible by going dc, but a parallel development of high voltage ac is also being pursued. Environmental constraints may make hvdc a more attractive option. International hvdc programs will introduce political problems associated with a common service. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7237510
• Journal Information: Energy Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Int.; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN ENEIB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200302 -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- DC Systems-- (1989-)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296002* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
AC SYSTEMS
CABLES
COAL MINES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
DC SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY TRANSPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EQUIPMENT
FORECASTING
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GAS-INSULATED CABLES
HVDC SYSTEMS
MINES
OPERATION
PLANNING
POWER PLANTS
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER TRANSMISSION
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS