The market for high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems has flourished over the last few years. The growth has been steady since 2018 and, in 2021, capacity additions amounted to 50 gigawatts. The Greater China region dominated the market and accounted for over 60 percent of the global installed capacity of HVDC systems in 2021.
HVDC transmission systems
HVDC electric power transmission systems use direct current for electricity transmission. They present several advantages compared to high voltage alternate current (HVAC) transmission, such as less power loss in the transmitting cable. Line Commutated Converters (LCCs) and Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) are the two main HVDC converter technologies. LCCs have greater popularity among HVDC systems worldwide, although VSCs are expanding, especially in European and Middle Eastern countries.
Applications of HVDC
HVDC technologies can be used for interconnecting power plants and electricity grid facilities. For instance, they enabled the transmission of power produced in offshore wind farms to the inland grid. For this reason, the growing renewable energy sector drives the demand for HVDC installations. The two other applications of HVDC are bulk power transmission and electricity supply in crowded urban areas since they need fewer transmission lines than HVAC systems.
Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021
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Capacity additions in megawatts
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PTR. (August 31, 2022). Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in megawatts) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/
PTR. "Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in megawatts)." Chart. August 31, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/
PTR. (2022). Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in megawatts). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/
PTR. "Annual Capacity Additions of High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Systems Worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in Megawatts)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Aug 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/
PTR, Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in megawatts) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Annual capacity additions of high voltage direct current transmission systems worldwide from 2010 to 2021 (in megawatts) [Graph], PTR, August 31, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360761/high-voltage-direct-current-capacity-additions-worldwide/