1 Interconnected operation of large power systems 1.3.

1.3 Interconnected systems world wide

• Interconnected systems in North America

• Interconnected systems in Japan

• Interconnected systems in China

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 1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.2

Interconnected systems in North America

• In the US and Canada more than 3.000 companies are engaged in generation, transmission and
distribution of electrical energy. These are mostly private companies but there are also large utilities
in public ownership (e.g. Tennessee Valley Authority, Bonneville Power Administration).

• The network in North America consists of 4 synchronous systems interconnected with Back-Back
HVDC ties and HVDC lines:

- Eastern Interconnection: Eastern part of the US and 4 provinces of Canada

(Installed Capacity approx. 610 GW)

- Western Interconnection: Western part of the US and 2 provinces of Western Canada

and the Northern part of Baja (Mexico)
(Installed Capacity approx. 160 GW)

- Texas system: State of Texas

(Installed Capacity approx. 62 GW)

- Quebec system: Province of Quebec

(Installed Capacity approx. 30 GW)

• The voltage levels range from 230 kV, 345 kV, 500 kV, 735 kV, 765 kV up to 1000 kV DC.

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.3

Interconnected systems in North America

Quebec System

Eastern
Interconnection

Western
Interconnection
Texas System

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.3 /1

Break-even distance for HVDC

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.4

Interconnected system in Japan

• The interconnected system in Japan is composed of 9 electric power companies.

• The 3 companies Hokkaido, Tohoku and Tokyo in the eastern region operate their networks
with the frequency of 50 Hz, the 6 companies in the west with a frequency of 60 Hz. Between
the two regions with different frequencies there are two Back-Back HVDC couplings with the
capacities of 600 MW and 300 MW. The island Hokkaido is interconnected with the main island
Honshu by a HVDC cable (± 250 kV) with a capacity of 600 MW.

• Installed capacity (2000): 190 GW

- 115 GW (60%) in coal, oil, gas units
- 42 GW (22%) in nuclear units
- 33 GW (18%) in hydro and other units

• Total demand (2000) 950 TWh

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.5

Interconnected system in Japan

• In Japan 44 nuclear power units were in operation in 1992. 10 nuclear power plants
with a total capacity of 12 GW are under construction or in the planning phase.

• Until 1992 the highest voltage level for AC transmission was 500 kV. Three 1000 kV AC
lines located in the Tokyo area are under construction. Operation with 1000 kV will start
early in the 21st century.

• Synchronous condensors and SVCs are widely used to improve voltage stability and to
suppress voltage fluctuations near DC converter stations.

• In selected power stations PSSs are installed to suppress low frequency power
oscillations.

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.6

Interconnected system in Japan Hokkaido

[%]: kWh demand in 2000 [3%]
(total 950 TWh)
HVDC Cable
Hokuriku 600 MW
[3%]
HVDC
Back-Back Tohoku
600 MW [8%]

Kyushu Chugoku Kansai Chubu Tokyo

[8%] [7%] [19%] [15%] [34%]

HVDC
Back-Back
Shikoku 300 MW
[3%]
60 Hz 50 Hz

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.7

Interconnected systems in China

• 82 % of coal reserves are concentrated in the north

• 67 % of hydro resources are located in the southwest of China

• Majority of electricity consumption located in the coastal regions of the east and
south and the central regions

• 6 regional power systems interconnected by 500 kV AC-lines and ± 500 kV DC

lines; Xinjiang region and Xizang region operated as electrical islands

• Three Gorges; famous hydro power project in the southwest of China with 26
generating units 700 MW each

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.8

China: Interconnection of six regional systems (2005)

North East
China
North
China
North
West
China

Central China
East
China
Three
Gorges

South China HVAC

HVDC

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1.3 Interconnected systems world-wide 1.3.9

The electric power system in China (2004)

The installed generation capacity was in 2004: 441 GW

- 326 GW (74 %) in coal, oil or gas units

- 7 GW (1.6 %) in nuclear power plants
- 108 GW (24 %) in hydro generation or others

The total generation was in 2004: 2187 TWh

- 1640 TWh (75%) in coal, oil or gas units

- 15 TWh (0.7%) in nuclear power plants
- 525 TWh (24%) in hydro generation or others

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