Study Committee Representatives Annual Report December, 2012

1. Study Committee Representatives Annual ReportDecember, 2012 SC B4 “HVDC and Power Electronics”Activity ReportPresented by: John McNichol(Manitoba Hydro)

2. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics General Subject Matter • LCC (Line Commutated Converters) - Conventional technology for HVDC transmission utilizing thyristors as the switching technology for rectifier and inverter operation • VSC (Voltage Source Converters) – “Newer” Technology for HVDC conversion using IGBT switching technology. It is currently applied to schemes of less than 1400 MW. Technology is growing and its applications can include passive loads, wind and off shore oil rigs. Losses and IGBT rating are limiting factors that are gradually being overcome. • FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) – Systems involving the controlled switching of capacitors and/or reactors to facilitate and stabilize increased power transmission. The elements may be series or shunt connected

3. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Membership • 24 Regular Country Members (including Canada) • 6 Observer Country Members • Canadians On SC B4 • 18 Canadians are major contributors to the technical activities of the study committee • 5 Canadians serve as Conveners of Working/Advisory Group • Several additional expert supporting contributors on special subjects

4. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - General • Leadership • Chairman and Secretary • Supporting Organization • 4 Advisory Groups (Permanent Standing) • 13 Working Groups (Term Limited) • 2 Joint Working Groups

5. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - Advisory Groups • AG 01 Strategic Advisory Group • Ensure all activities are appropriate and of sufficient priority and meet the needs of the industry and users • AG 02 DC Grid Coordination • Coordinate the work performed by the Working Groups studying the DC Grid issues. • AG 03 Communication and Website • Develop the new website • AG 04HVDC System PerformanceGather and publish the performance data of current operating systems and maintain a compendium of worldwide systems

6. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure - Working Groups • WG B4.38 Simulation of HVDC and FACTS • WG B4.47 Special Issues in AC Filter Specifications for HVDC • WG 4.49 Performance Evaluation and Applications Review of Existing Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation Devices • WG B4.51 Study Of Converter Voltage Transients On the HVDC Converter Transformers • WG B4.52 HVDC Grid Feasibility Study

7. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Working Groups • WG B4-53 Guidelines for Procurement and Testing of STATCOMs • WG B4-54 Guidelines for Life Extension of Existing HVDC Schemes • WG B4-55 HVDC Connection of Offshore Wind Power Plants • WG B4-56 Guidelines for Preparation of Connection Agreements or Grid Codes for HVDC Grids

8. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Joint Working Groups • WG B4-57 Guide for the Development of Models for HVDC Converters in an HVDC Grid • WG B4-58 Devices for Load Flow Control and Methodologies for Direct Voltage Control in a Meshed HVDC Grid • WG B4-60 Designing HVDC Grids for Optimal Reliability and Availability Performance • WG B4-61 General Guidelines for HVDC Electrode Design

9. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Joint Working Groups • JWG B4/B5-59 Control and Protection of HVDC Grids • JWG C4/C1/B4-604 Influence of Imbedded HVDC Transmission on System Security and AC Network Performance

10. B4 HVDC and Power ElectronicsCompleted Working Groups • WG B4.44 Planning Guidelines Dealing with HVDC Environmental Issues • WG B4.46 Voltage Source Converter HVDC for Power Transmission – Economic Aspects and Comparison with Other AC and DC Technologies • WG B4.48 Component Testing of VSC Systems for HVDC Applications

11. B4 HVDC and Power ElectronicsCompleted Joint Working Groups • JWG B4/B2/C3.50 Electric Field and Ion Current Environment of HVDC Overhead Transmission Lines • JWG B5/B4.25 Impact of HVDC Stations on Protection of AC Systems

12. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Structure – Proposed New Working Groups • 1) Recommended DC Voltages and Converter Topologies for HVDC Grids • 2) Connection of Wind Farms to Weak AC Networks • 3) Impact of AC System Characteristics on the Performance of HVDC Schemes • 4) Commissioning of VSC HVDC Schemes • * Terms of Reference are under development for these proposed Working Groups and they will then be submitted to the Technical Committee for approval.

13. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics Regular Meetings Brasillia Brazil - 2013 Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France 2014 - Regular Session Agra India - 2015 Meetings, Symposium and Tutorial Paris France 2016 – Regular Session

14. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics2014 Preferential Subjects • PS1 HVDC & FACTS Technology Developments • Technology Development Including HVDC Grids • Connection of Renewable Resources • Project Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Issues • Project Implementation and Service Experience

15. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics2014 Preferential Subjects • PS2 FACTS Systems and Applications • Renewable Resources Integration • Increased Network Performance • Project Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Issues • Project Implementation and Service Experience

16. SC B4 HVDC and Power Electronics2014 Preferential Subjects • PS3 Power Electronic Equipment Developments • Converters for Renewable Generation and Energy Storage • DC Circuit Breakers, Dc Load Flow Controllers and Fault Current Limiting Devices • New Semi Conductor Devices and Converter Topologies