HVDC Light^® (VSC)

Interconnecting Europe and beyond

HVDC Light®, based on VSC technology (Voltage Sourced Converter), is designed to transmit power underground and underwater, also over long distances. It offers numerous environmental benefits, including “invisible” power lines, neutral electromagnetic fields, oil-free cables and compact converter stations.

HVDC Light® increases the reliability of Hitachi Energy, and the technology extends the economical power range of HVDC transmission down to just a few tens of Megawatts (MW). In the upper range, the technology now reaches 3,000 MW and ±640 kV - enough electricity to power several million households and enable power transmission over 2,000 kilometers. The system design enables compact converter stations – a big benefit in applications like offshore wind and interconnections.

What is HVDC Light®?

HVDC Light® is quick to install and provides an alternative to conventional AC transmission systems and local generation in several cases, such as:

Connecting wind farms to the onshore grids
Underground power links
Providing shore power supplies to islands and offshore oil & gas platforms
Connecting asynchronous grids
City center infeed

Utilities are under extreme pressure to meet consumer and regulatory demands for a high-quality, competitively priced power supply that has a low environmental impact. The expansion of AC transmission capacity is often limited by local planning regulations and the concerns of local residents who object to the installation of new overhead lines.

Why HVDC VSC solutions from Hitachi Energy?

HVDC VSC technology from Hitachi Energy helps to expand transmission capacity, minimizes environmental impact and also improves the quality of the power supply.