The First UHVDC Project

July 31, 2014
Xiangjiaba Shanghai was the first ultrahigh-voltage direct current (UHVDC) project in the world to go into commercial operation, in July 2010.

State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is the owner of the link and ABB is the main technology supplier. The Ā±800 kV UHVDC link, with a rated power of 6,400 MW, has the capacity to transmit up to 7,200 MW of power from the plant in the southwest of the country to Shanghai, about 2,000 km away. System voltage at Ā±800 kV is 33 percent higher than the voltage used for the Ā±600 kV Itaipu transmission in Brazil, which until then was the worldā€™s highest HVDC transmission voltage rating. The power rating at 6,400 MW is also record breaking, while losses were reduced to 7 percent, compared with 10 percent losses on conventional 500 kV DC transmission lines, according to ABB.

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About the Author

Jeanne Schweder | Contributing Editor, Automation World

Jeanne Schweder has been writing about automation and manufacturing for more than 25 years. As a contributor to Automation World and its sister publications since 2012, she has interviewed hundreds of manufacturers, machine builders, system integrators, and automation suppliers. Her work has appeared in nearly every industry publication. A former newspaper editor, Jeanne has also worked in public relations at major corporations and advertising agencies.

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