The record breaking Ningdong-Shandong 660 kV HVDC line passed its first full power test on 28 February when Pole 2 of State Grid Corporation of China’s (SGCC) interconnector was inaugurated, and the line fully tested at full 4000 MW power in bipole mode. Ningdong-Shandong HVDC connection transmits power from the Yinchuandong converter station in central-North China (coal-fired generation), to the Tsingdao converter station on the East coast over 1335 km away. Pole 1 of the Ningdong-Shandong connection became operational on 28 November last year, transmitting 2000 MW of power.
This is a significant achievement for Alstom Grid and its Chinese partner China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI), and confirms Alstom Grid’s strong presence and capability in the Chinese HVDC market. This is the first 660 kV HVDC link in the world and includes Alstom’s new higher rated valve design. The thyristor valves are the most powerful ever put in operation worldwide for an HVDC scheme. The project was delivered on a very tight contract schedule (first deliveries in less than four months and stations commissioned in less than two years after contract signature).
“Long-distance high voltage DC connections are the future of efficient transmission systems around the world. Alstom Grid is very proud to have been a partner on this prestigious world-first project with SGCC and CEPRI,” said Michel Augonnet, a company senior vice president. “As transmission line voltages increase to 800 kV and beyond … projects such as these will become more frequent … connecting large power generation sites with distant load-centres.”
In parallel, Alstom Grid and CEPRI are working on another significant project: the 500 kV 3000 MW HVDC transmission line scheme between Three Gorges Dam and Shanghai. Commissioning for that project is expected to be finalised by the end of March 2011.