AC vs DC in Power Transmission and Distribution

T.S.S Senarathna 120601M

AbstractApplicability and Advantages of DC power transmission and distribution over the conventional AC power
system are reviewed in this paper. The conversion of existing AC lines into DC lines with the use of HVDC technology is
reviewed with different conversions. DC distribution systems are analyzed in different aspects. Energy efficiency of a DC
distribution system is compared with an AC system with loss comparison and maximum transfer capability.
Keywords DC power Systems; Transmission; Distribution; Energy efficiency; Power system modelling

I.

INTRODUCTION

Power demand increases continuously every year and the installed power must also grow with the increasing
demand. To meet the future power demands it is necessary to focus on designing power systems with both high
efficiency and green technologies. Green technologies are those that conserve natural resources while reducing the
harmful effects on the environment. Most popular green power sources are solar energy and wind energy.
The upgrading of transmission is required to meet the increasing power demands and building new lines is
one of the solutions. It is rather a difficult solution as much time and infrastructure cost is with it. Therefore
alternative solutions are looked into for increasing the transmission capacity of the existing lines. There are many
ways to upgrade the line capacity including traditional methods such as increasing the line voltage and the number of
conductors. Using high temperature low sag (HTLS) conductors to decrease the sagging of lines due to high
temperature caused by high current density, employing high surge impedance loading (HSIL) and using AC lines to
transmit DC power are the most applicable solutions that can be used to increase the transmission capacity. In the
literature review applicability and advantages of DC power transmission and distribution is being analyzed.
Compared with traditional AC distribution systems, a DC distribution system has several advantages with the
modern power requirements. Large power supply capacity, small feeder loss, higher energy transmission efficiency,
better power quality, high power reliability and access to renewable energy are the major advantages.
Since the emerging of internet and data based societies the modern power consumers such as data centers
including their servers, cooling and communication equipment and most of end-user equipment use various levels of
DC voltages. Therefore DC distribution has grown interest over the past few years.
This literature review analyze the DC high voltage transmission and the applicability of DC distribution
systems.

II.

HVDC TECHNOLOGY

High voltage direct current technology (HVDC) is a result of fast development of power electronics. HVDC
technology has technical and economic benefits over the AC systems in transmission. These systems convert current
from AC to DC at transmitting end and from DC to AC at the receiving end. In this section, the characteristics,
advantages, disadvantages of HVDC technology is reviewed.

2.1

DC vs AC General Characteristics

Almost all of the transmission lines are three phase alternative current systems. The comparison between AC
and DC systems characteristics can provide reasons favoring HVDC.

Power losses. The HVDC system has lower losses than the AC system with same transmission power. But
when considering the converter stations and substations the initial loss levels are higher for a HVDC
transmission system, while AC systems have loss values increasing with the distance.
Cost. In a HVDC transmission system the line cost, operation cost and maintenance cost values are much
lower than AC systems. But with expensive terminal stations the relation between cost and losses of both
systems varies as Fig. 1. As seen in the figure, HVDC will have lower cost above a certain distance which
depends on several factors in different cases.

Fig.1 HVAC vs HVDC Cost [1]

Long Distance Water crossing. In water crossing the large cable capacitance will limit the maximum distance
of an AC transmission. HVDC is the only alternative in long cable links.
Asynchronous connection. The connection of two AC networks are very difficult due to stability reasons.
HVDC does not have problems with connecting two networks.
Controllability. Controlling the power is very easy when using HVDC.
Environment. The land coverage for HVDC transmission line is less than for AC lines.

After considering all the characteristics reviewed, it can be concluded that HVDC has more advantages over
conventional AC transmission.

2.2

Power carrying capability

An existing double circuit AC line can be converted to three DC circuits with two

+

conductors each while the
V d

original AC line had 6 conductors carrying current IL. The power from AC line is given by Eq. (1)

Pa=6 E p I L

(1)

The converted DC line also has 6 conductors carrying I D current. The power from the DC transmission is given by (2).

Pd =6 V d I d

(2)

Insulation levels and ratios

DC tolerated voltage
=2
AC tolerated voltage(rms)

(3)

k 1=

AC insulationlevel
=2.5
rated AC voltage( E p )

(4)

k 2=

DC insulation level
=1.7
rated DC voltage(V d )

(5)

k=

insulation ratio=

insulationlength required for each AC phase

insulation length required for each DC pole

(6)

By substituting Eq. (3) (5) in (6), Eq. (7) is obtained.

insulation ratio=(k

k1 E p
)
k2 V d

(7)

The power ratio between AC and DC can be expressed as a function of the line voltages and the factors defined
above.

Pd V d k1
= (k )
Pa Ep k2

(8)

From the previous equations it is concluded that the power transmitted by overhead lines can be increased up to 147%
while reducing the line losses to 68%. Furthermore when using underground cables much higher power transmission
can be achieved with much lower losses due to improved k values of the underground cables.
2.3

Conversion of AC into DC

Installing converter stations to both sides of the line can convert an AC line into a DC one. The high
investment requirements of these converter stations is the main disadvantage of this technology. This cost is
proportional with the square root power of the lines. There are two main methods reviewed in this paper.

LLC classical technology

These systems use line commutated converters with principal device as the thyristor. The LLC method can
control the active power but for reactive power controlling large capacitor banks are required. This traditional
converters cannot supply power to a system without local generation.

VSC technology
This technology uses Insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and can control both active and reactive
power. The control signal used in this method requires low energy which is generated by pulse width
modulation (PWM). Advantages of this method over the LLC are Black-start capability, no need of shortcircuit ratio and smaller converter size. This method is still an emerging technology.

III.

DC DISTRIBUTION

The DC distribution section reviews the efficiency of DC distribution over the AC systems in detail. Higher
capacity and efficiency along with lower losses can be achieved with a DC distribution system. The energy efficiency
of such a system is the main aspect analyzed in this section of the review.
3.1

Conversion of distribution lines

In line conversion three conversions are analyzed in this review. All of are conversions into bipolar DC lines
while monopolar conversion is not considered as it has technical problems although it has economic advantages.
a) Distribution double circuit AC line into a bipolar DC line three circuits, one conductor per pole
b) Distribution simple circuit AC line into a bipolar DC line one conductor per pole and a free conductor
which can be useful in a failure
c) Distribution simple circuit AC line into a bipolar DC line with three poles one pole sending and other two
return path, the configuration changes over time to keep the thermal limit of each conductor
TABLE 1
Original AC
Line Voltage
30kV
45kV
66kV

Converted
DC Line
Voltage
45kV
66kV
66kV
90kV
110kV
132kV
TABLE 2

CASE (A) INCREMENT OF TRANSMITTED POWER AND REDUCTION OF LOSSES.

5km

10km

20km

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

44
112
41
31
60
92

30.8
52.7
29.0
23.8
37.8
48.2

157
277
67
31
60
92

-23.4
15.8
15.8
24
37.6
48.1

235
112
160
211

-68.3
23.4
-0.9
15.8

CASE (B) INCREMENT OF TRANSMITTED POWER AND REDUCTION OF LOSSES.

Original AC
Line Voltage
30kV
45kV
66kV

Converted
DC Line
Voltage
45kV
66kV
66kV
90kV
110kV
132kV
TABLE 3

Original AC
Line Voltage
30kV
45kV
66kV

Converted
DC Line
Voltage
45kV
66kV
66kV
90kV
110kV
132kV

5km

10km

20km

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

-4
41
-6
-13
7
28

30.8
52.7
29.0
23.8
37.8
48.2

71
157
12
-13
7
28

-23.4
15.8
15.8
24
37.6
48.1

123
42
73
108

-68.3
23.4
-0.9
15.8

CASE (C) INCREMENT OF TRANSMITTED POWER AND REDUCTION OF LOSSES.

5km

10km

20km

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

P (%)

Reduction of losses (%)

36
100
33
24
51
81

26.3
49.8
24.8
18.9
33.6
44.8

142
255
58
24
51
81

-30.8
10.73
10.7
19.2
33.8
45.0

216
100
145
194

-78.5
30.8
-7.1
10.7

The numerical values presented in the tables show the power increases and loss reductions for each type of
conversion. The values for 20km and 30kV are not considered as the line would be too long for that voltage level. The
tables can be summarized as below.

3.2

Case (a): the highest power capability increase for all types of voltages and distances. Some loss reductions
are negative implying higher losses than original AC line but while carrying much more power.
Case (b): the lowest power increase obtained due to using only two conductors. Can be concluded as not
useful.
Case (c): higher figures than case (b) but lower than (a) but case (a) is double circuit while case (c) is a single
circuit one.
Maximum Transfer Capability

The maximum transfer capability of a bus is provided by P-V curves. The nose of the curve provides an
indication of maximum load on the bus before collapsing. The main reason for power transfer capability difference
between AC and DC is reactance of the transmission lines which doesnt exist in DC.
The model under examination is a four bus networked system. It has a generator connected to bus 1 and loads
to every buses.

Fig.2 Power system model under study [3]

TABLE 4

POWER SYSTEM GENERATION AND LOAD DATA

|V|
(kV)
14.5

Pgen
(kW)
-

Qgen
(kVAR)
-

Pload
(kW)
25

Qload
(kVAR)
10

13.8

15

13.8

27.5

11

13.8

25

15

Bus No.

TABLE 5
Line

POWER SYSTEM IMPEDANCE DATA

To
Bus
1

From
Bus
2

R
()
38.09

X
()
352.31

B
()
17.14

59.04

493.23

19.04

11.43

47.61

135.21

609.4

28.57

142.08

127.6

The P-V curves for bus 2, bus 3 and bus 4 are mapped for each DC system and the AC system. The results are
figured below in Figs. 3-5.

Fig.3 Bus 2 P-V curves [3]

Fig.4 Bus 3 P-V curves [3]

As seen from the P-V curves the two line DC system has
significant increase of power transmission over an AC
system. Three line DC system has about four times of
increase in power transmission.

3.3 Practical Analysis

The Bus
Practical
analysis
Fig.5
4 P-V curves
[3]

include energy efficiency of an office building and a data center with DC distribution

system.
The office building model is a large one with 10 000 m 2 and with common loads such as Air conditioner,
Fluorescent lamps, LED lighting, laptops, Printers and other IT devices. The efficiency of the building is compared
with AC distribution and with DC distribution.
TABLE 5
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Loads
Air conditioner
Fluorescent lamp
LED
Laptop
Printer
IT device

POWER SYSTEM IMPEDANCE DATA

Power (W)
40 000
40
150
60
200
5000

Quantity
5
600
100
1000
100
6

Total (W)
200 000
24 000
15 000
60 000
20 000
30 000

Fig.6 Load curve of the office building [2]

The working hours are selected as 0800 to 1700 and the load curve is as showed in figure 6. The energy loss
is calculated for a day, neglecting feeder losses.

TABLE 5
Loads
Air-Conditioner
Fluorescent lamp
LED
Laptop
IT device
Total

Power consumption
(kWh/day)
1800
148.8
171
642
366
3127.8

POWER SYSTEM IMPEDANCE DATA

Energy loss by AC
(kWh/day)
589.27
0
84.03
343.87
259.18
1276.35

Energy loss by AC
(kWh/day)
255.39
41.24
19
87.55
109.44
512.61

Efficiency by AC
(%)
75.34
100
67.05
65.12
58.54
71.02

Efficiency by DC
(%)
87
78.3
90
88
76.98
85.92

The efficiency of the office building is increased by 14.9% with the DC supply while the air conditioner saves about
300 kWh every day.

IV.

CONCLUTION

In this review many possible DC distribution and transmission techniques has been reviewed and compared with
its AC alternatives. The HVDC technology proves to be productive with longer distance transmission and about
150% power can be transmitted with the DC system. To be used in DC distribution, AC lines can be converted in
many ways and the most productive method is the conversion of double circuit AC line into a bipolar three circuit
DC line.
When considering the maximum transfer capability of a DC system both 2-line and 3-line DC systems have
significant increase over the AC systems. The efficiency model of an office building has about 15% gain in
efficiency when supplied by DC power.

REFERENCES
[1].
[2].
[3].
[4].
[5].

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Michael Starke, Leon M. Tolbert, AC vs. DC Distribution: Maximum Transfer Capability, IEEE (2008)
Michael Starke, Leon M. Tolbert, Burak Ozpineci, AC vs. DC Distribution: A Loss Comparison, IEEE (2008)
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