Leading experts in latest HVDC converter and cable technology join forces to build India’s first HVDC link featuring state-of-the-art VSC technology. Transmission link to support the Indian Government’s Vision of 24×7 power for all.
March 27, 2017
A consortium between Siemens and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. has been awarded an HVDC order from Indian transmission operator Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) to supply a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system. The about 200 km long HVDC connection will be India’s first DC link featuring voltage-sourced converter (VSC) technology. VSC is the latest innovation in HVDC technology offering a very stable and highly flexible reactive power control independent of active power control and additional features to support the AC systems like blackstart capability. Furthermore, this solution is ideal to be combined with XLPE cable technology.
Siemens will be supplying two converter stations with two parallel converters, each rated 1000 Megawatts (MW), featuring its VSC HVDC technology while Sumitomo Electric will be responsible for XLPE HVDC cable system in the DC circuit. The combined order volume for Siemens and Sumitomo Electric is approximately USD 520 million. The grid connection is scheduled to go into operation in the first half of 2020. The Pugalur-Trichur ±320 kilovolt (kV) HVDC system will connect Pugalur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu to Trichur in Kerala State in South-West India. Sumitomo Electric of Japan and Siemens have entered into a cooperation agreement to collaborate in the field of HVDC transmission for selected projects to combine the innovative technologies of both parties.
