Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 2015, 3, 453-457
Published Online April 2015 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jpee
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2015.34062
How to cite this paper: Candas, M. and Meric, O.S. (2015) The Application of Ultra High Voltage in the World. Journal of
Power and Energy Engineering, 3, 453-457. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jp ee .2015.34062
The Application of Ultra High Voltage
in the World
Metin Candas, Ozlem Sahin Meric
Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Eskisehir, Turkey
Email: mcandas@anadolu.edu.tr, osahin5@anadolu.edu.tr
Received February 2015
Abstract
With rapidly growth in industrial sectors, in order to meet the demand, the usage of Ultra High
Voltage (UHV) is needed. High voltage (HV) is between the range of 52 kV and 300 kV. In case of
voltage above 800 kV, it can be defined as UHV. With the development of technologies in the world,
it could be seen that Japan, Russia, Italy, Brazil, America (U.S), and Canada began to improve UHV
in the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, China, a leader developing country for UHV technologies in
the world, started UHV technologies in transmission, in 1980s. Nowadays, seven transmission
lines are in operation in China. In this study, the concept of HV and UHV will be introduced. Espe-
cially, UHV transmission in the worldwide will be researched. Then, the historical development
and current situation of UHV will be analyzed and the assessment for Turkey will be done.
Keywords
Energy, Power Transmission, Ultra High Voltage
1. Introduction
The world’s population is getting increased and global energy consumption is growing up. Therefore, the needs
of several types of renewable energy resources such as hydropower, wind, sun, tides, geothermal, waves, bio-
mass sources are required besides to coal, fossil fuels, natural gas and minerals. But sometimes generation plac-
es of these resources are not close to consumers. For transferring high power from sources of generation to
countries or regions which are growing faster is becoming significant [1] [2].
Larger amounts of electric power transferring for longer distances could be required to higher transmission
voltage. Nowadays, it could be met by using High Voltage (HV) and Ultra High Voltage (UHV). Ranges of 52
kV - 300 kV and 800 kV and above are the voltage of HV and UHV, respectively [3].
While transferring energy to longer distances, the more energy losses could be occurred. The energy losses
could be prevented by increasing the voltage above 800 kV with UHV transmission lines which achieve effi-
ciency and lower transmission costs [4]. Furthermore, UHV transmission provides to use clean energy sources
for producing electricity which is resulted in a reduction of environmental impacts such as emissions, air pollu-
tions and climate changes. Other advantages of UHV technology are: increased transmission capacity, extended
transmission distance, reduced transmission losses and also reduced land requirements [5].
M. Candas, O. S. Meric
454
2. Development of the UHV Transmission System in the World
The studies related to UHV transmission technologies began in Russia, Japan, the United States of America
(USA), Italy, Canada, and Brazil in 1960s and 1970s. In addition, China started UHVAC transmission projects
in 1986. China, India and South Africa have been still studying on UHVDC transmission.
The first UHV studies in Russia (The Former USSR) were appeared in 1970s. At the beginning of the 1990s,
1150 kV AC transmission lines (2362 km) were established but later voltage level was decreased to 500 kV. In
addition 1090 km and ±750 kV DC transmission lines were built in the beginning of 1980s.
In Japan the studies about UHV transmission technology started in 1973 [6]. Tokyo Electric Power Company
(TEPCO) constructed to 1100 kV transmission lines which aim to connect power station to crowded coun-
tries/regions in 1993 and also in 1999 power sources on the Pacific Ocean were connected with the transmission
lines. In 2000s those routes were operated at 550 kV although they were constructed at 1100 kV which could
provide 3 to 4 times greater capacity [7].
UHV transmission studies started in 1967 in the USA. Transmitting bulk power, developing system stability
and reducing environment impacts were aimed by using new transmission systems. The facilities which per-
formed UHV studies were General Electric Company (GE), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the
American Electric Power Company (AEP), and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). In recent years, it
could be said that the U.S. has little activity on UHV transmission technologies as compared with China [5].
The CU Powerline and Square Butte Projects which were included North American grid HVDC projects were
studied for delivering the power among the cities such as From North Dakota to Minneapolis, Minnesota and
Duluth, Minnesota, respectively.
Two projects called Neptune and Trans Bay Cable were constructed by Siemens Company. Neptune project
proposed to link Long Island and New Jersey transfers 660 MW over 65 miles. The second project, a 53 miles
400 MW Trans Bay Cable carries bulk power into San Francisco Bay. HV DC and AC transmission projects are
Illinois River Project, Rock Island Clean Line LLC Project and the other transmission line projects are The
Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project, The Centennial West Clean Transmission Line Project and
The Grain Belt Express Clean Line Transmission Project which are planned to be done [8].
In Italy, UHV studies were done in the laboratories and testing stations that A 700 kV generator was used in
1970s.
In Canada, at the HV laboratory of Hydro-Quebec Institute of Research (IREQ) studies related to voltages up
to 1500 kV were performed. Test studies such as Corona, electric field and ion current performance were re-
searched in the range of ±600 kV to 1200 kV DC and 1500 kV AC. Also at Magdalen Islands, test line was built
vibration performance test of 6 and 12 conductor bundles and development of spacer dampers [6]. The Project,
550 miles and 3.8 GW of capacity, called The Nelson River in Canada links to hydroelectric sources which are
located in Northern Manitoba to population centers in Southern Manitoba. Between 1990 and 1992, The Que-
bec-New England Project, have over 930 miles and 2 GW of capacity, was instructed from Hudson Bay (in
Quebec) to Massachusetts (near Boston) [8].
FACTS, a technology that enforces the weak AC grids and stabilizes AC transmission to longer distances, is
the world’s biggest project in India (at Purnea and Gorakhpur). Hydropower from Bhutan over long distances
are achieved by this Project [9]. India is establishing lines with ultrahigh voltages of ±800 kV. Nowadays India
has still been studying on the world’s the first ultrahigh voltage power transmission lines at 1200 kV with par-
ticipants such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Vijai Electricals Ltd, Crompton Greaves, Larsen & Toubro, Sie-
mens, Alstom India, KEC International, Supreme & Co [10].
In Brazil, transmitting the bulk power from Amazon Basin to the load centers at far distances was required
using transmission lines above 1000 kV. Since 1984, Brazil has used to the world’s highest voltage and capacity
system called The Itaipu transmission line at ±600 kV [6]. In 2014, 2400 km HVDC link was instructed in Bra-
zil. It is the world’s longest link for carrying 3150 MW of power in the northwest to Sao Paulo [11]. In 2014, a
consortium led by SGCC won a 30-year concession to build and operate a 2000-km (1240-mile), 800 kV UHV
line in Brazil. The transmission system will carry power from the Belo Monte dam in northern Brazil to the ma-
jor consumption centers in the southeast [12].
China is a leader developing country for UHV technologies in the World. The largest number of HVDC links
are available in China. Because of faster developing industries, demand of power generation and power trans-
mission is increasing. Due to prevent high energy losses, 800 kV - 1100 kV UHDC and 1000 kV UHVAC vol-
M. Candas, O. S. Meric
455
tage levels are preferred. Seven transmission lines are in operation in China [9] [12].
In December 2014, the world’s largest power grid operator, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), de-
clared that 13 UHV transmission lines are planned to built by 2017 and 27 UHV transmission lines are intended
to construct by 2020 [13] [14]. UHV projects in China are summarized in terms of in operation, under construc-
tion and waiting final approval (Figure 1) [15].
As mentioned before, Russia, Japan, the U.S. and Italy had performed studies and tests related to UHV trans-
mission between the 1960s and 1990s. By the reason of political factors and a decrease in demand, projects
about UHV has not been completed [16].
3. The Current Situation of Energy Transmission in Turkey
Turkey is located in an important location that connects the Asia and Europe. Turkey’s population is growing
faster and also the industry is developing. Turkey is the second country in increase of electricity demand in the
world also the first in Europe [17].
Due to increase in electric power consumption, the need of power generation and power transmission is oc-
curred. Turkish energy resources are hard coal, lignite, asphalt, bituminous schist, hydropower, oil, natural gas,
geothermal and solar energy, wood, as well as animal and plant wastes [18].
In 1902, the first hydroelectric power station (2 kW) was constructed in Tarsus, Adana. In 1913 the first Ali-
beyköy Silahtarağa plant in Istanbul was built for lighting purposes. 66 kV energy transmission from Zonguldak
to Istanbul in 1948. Voltage level was increased at 154 kV and a transmission line were constructed between
Ereğli-Karadeniz and Istanbul in 1952. And in 1960, power transmission at 380 kV was begun and in 1971 at
380 kV transmission line was used from Keban to Ankara [3] [19].
The voltages levels, nominal voltage and permissible maximum operating voltage, in Turkey are given in Ta-
ble 1. Today, Extra High Voltage (EHV) levels defined at 380 kV nominal and 420 kV permissible maximum
operating voltage. In Turkey, UHV voltage levels has not been defined yet.
A new HV transmission line will connect two cities, Bursa and Kocaeli, which are rapidly developing cities in
Figure 1. UHV projects in China [15].
M. Candas, O. S. Meric
456
Table 1. Voltages levels in Turkey [19].
Nominal voltage (kV) Permissible max. Operating voltage (kV)
High Voltage 66
154 36
72
Extra High Voltage 380 420 (400)
Turkish industry. The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company will built Gemlik-İzmit 380 kV energy trans-
mission line Project. Furthermore, 53 km transmission line is planned from Bursa’s Orhangazi and İznik districts
and Karamursel, Başiskele, Gölcük, Izmit and Kartepe districts of Kocaeli. In this Project, overhead lines will be
chosen and in 2015 January, it is declared that after 16 months the lines will be completed [20].
On 8th January 2015, it is declared that the submarine cable EHV Project called 380 kV Lapseki-sütlüce
across the Dardanelles Strait is constructed [21].
Energy Ministry of Turkey is cooperation with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
in order to improve the Turkey’s first renewable energy action plan. Until 2023 Turkey is proposed to increase
total capacity of sources, allows to add 34 GW of hydropower, 20 GW of wind energy, 5 GW of solar energy, 1
GW of geothermal energy and 1 GW of biomass, to 30% [22].
4. Conclusions
Larger amounts of electric power transferring for longer distances could be required to higher transmission vol-
tage. Nowadays, it could be met by using High Voltage (HV) and Ultra High Voltage (UHV). Ranges of 52 kV -
300 kV and 800 kV and above are the voltage of HV and UHV, respectively [3].
The studies related to UHV transmission technologies began in Russia, Japan, the United States of America
(USA), Italy, Canada, and Brazil in 1960s and 1970s. In addition, China started UHVAC transmission projects
in 1986. China, India and South Africa have been still studying on UHVDC transmission [6]. Today, China is
the leadership for developing UHV transmission technology in the world. Seven transmission lines are in opera-
tion and 27 transmission lines are planned to be constructed by 2020. Russia, Japan, the U.S. and Italy had per-
formed studies and tests related to UHV transmission, but, by the reason of political factors and a decrease in
demand, projects about UHV have not been completed [16]. In Turkey, only EHV is being used at 400 kV.
UHV voltage levels have not been defined yet. Turkey has been still studying on HV projects. For instance, a
new HV transmission line will connect two cities, Bursa and Kocaeli, which are rapidly developing cities in
Turkish industry. The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company will build Gemlik-Izmit 380 kV energy trans-
mission line project. Moreover, 53 km transmission line is planned from Bursa’s Orhangazi and Iznik districts
and Karamursel, Başiskele, Gölcük, Izmit and Kartepe districts of Kocaeli. In this project, overhead lines will be
chosen and in 2015 January, it is declared that after 16 months the lines will be completed [20].
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