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Feasibility study: Caprivi High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link

Namibia

Client:

NamPower

Project Status: Completed in 2004

Caprivi High Voltage Link Project Outline
NamPower, the Namibian electricity utility, commissioned PSD to conduct a technical pre-feasibility study on the establishment of a HVDC transmission system, using voltage source converter (VSC) technology, in Namibia. The HVDC system was initially proposed to connect the Katima Mulilo network, at that stage supplied at 66kV from Zambia, with the main NamPower Transmission System, thereby providing increased supply capacity to the Katima Mulilo load area (30MW and 60MW capacities were proposed). Apart from the supply upgrade to meet the expected growth in load demand, NamPower was also interested in the possibility of establishing a commercial enterprise by using the proposed HVDC system as energy trading link in the region. This required a larger-capacity HVDC system connection between Namibia and Zambia and a 200MW option was thus considered.

Services to Client

•	Evaluation of alternate HVDC Light schemes comprising different rating sizes (30MW, 60MW and 200MW options were examined) and location of the terminal stations
•	HVDC network integration (steady-state) and power transfer studies
•	Identification and sizing of required AC connecting infrastructure components
•	Cost estimating and economic evaluation
•	Determination of electrical parameters as input into functional specification

Project Detail
The study included:

•	Electrical parameter optimisations study for AC lines and HVDC lines and/or underground cables
•	Data verification, power system modelling and creation of study case files.
•	Load flow, fault level and losses studies. The aim of these studies was to assess the steady-state adequacy and performance of the proposed alternate inter-connector solutions. These studies also identified and sized the voltage control devices such as SVC, shunt capacitors and reactors that would be required. The studies also established power transfer limits under N-1 contingency conditions within the connecting AC power grids
•	Capital and operational cost estimates were compiled
•	An economic evaluation of the alternate options taking life cycle cost components such as CAPEX, maintenance and energy losses into account was conducted
•	Visit to supplier in Europe and facilitation of workshop in Windhoek, Namibia

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