When and where was the First HVDC System Installed?
The first High Voltage DC (HVDC) system that came into full commercial operation was installed by Swedish State Power Board (now Vattenfall) to serve as the transmission line between the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland, a distance of 96 kilometers.
The Gotland transmission, with a rating of 20 MW, 200 A and 100 kV, came into service in 1954. The system concept was developed by ABB.
Though the very first HVDC System was inaugurated on 1945, The Elbe Project - a 100 km +/-200kV HVDC, the system was never put into service owing to the chaos in Germany at the end of World War II.
Today, HVDC system can go to as high as 800kV but I`m not sure if this is the highest so far.
Comments and Clarifications
- Comments from Barlon Balle through Bartb102@hotmail.com
Although it depends on your definition of High Voltage, considering the capabilities of the time one of the first HVDC transmission lines was installed during the 1930’s between Mechanicville, NY and the GE plant in Schenectady, NY. The hydro generators produce 12KV at 40Hz. which was converted by mercury rectifiers to DC. In Schenectady it powered some DC loads and DC motors coupled to AC generators.
This hydro plant was constructed in 1897 with 7 Francis wheel turbines connected to 750kW GE type ATB generators. These generators were designed by Charles Steinmetz. It is the oldest continuously operable hydro power plant in the US. There are still 5 of these generators in operation producing power. Number 6 should be restored some time in 2009. The generated 40Hz. power drives 40Hz. motors direct coupled to 60Hz. generators. Unfortunately there is a loss of 80kW in each frequency changer. Due to the history of the plant we are unable to replace the 40Hz. generators with 60Hz. units. The original turbines were replaced in 1907. The replacements are still powering the plant.
Filed in: Electric Transmission System
Local date: February, 2012
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