HVDC Itaipu

The HVDC Itaipu is a High Voltage Direct Current transmission line in Brazil from the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant to the region of São Paulo. The project has two bipolar lines, which run from the generator site at Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná to the "load" (user) site Ibiúna near São Roque, São Paulo. The lines were put in service in several steps between 1984 and 1987, and are among the major installations of HVDC in the world.^[1]

Technical description

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) was chosen both because this technique allows long transmission lines with little loss compared to other systems (like AC), and also allows interchange of the Paraguayan 50 Hz input and the Brazilian 60 Hz input and user grid. Both lines operate at ±600 kV and are built as overhead lines with a length of 818 (North line) and 807 (South line) kilometer. Away from their terminal stations, the two lines are at least 10 km apart to reduce risks. Each one is designed for 3150 MW at ± 600 kV D.C. and 2625 A. The lines are 4 x 689 mm² (about 30 mm ∅) ACSR cables.^[2]

Incoming is 500 kV AC from the hydro dam (Foz do Iguacu), outgoing is 345 and 500 kV AC into the South/Southeastern grid (Ibiúna, São Paulo). At 1/3 into the route, at Ivaiporã (Parana), there is a branch into 500 kV, 60 Hz AC, delivering into the Southern grid.

By introducing, in 1989 and later, series capacitors in Ivaiporã (at ⅓ of the line) and Itaberá (at ⅔) the capacity grew from 4300 MW to 6300 MW.^[3]

Waypoints

References