HVDC Projects – Management of Environmental Issues

Abstract

This chapter of the CIGRE Green Book on High Voltage DC (HVDC) Power Transmission covers the environmental considerations during the lifetime of an HVDC project, i.e. from first considerations of the option of constructing an HVDC transmission project, to the end of its useful life. Many different electrical and other issues need to be considered, and it is necessary to engage with all interested parties at an early stage to ensure that the project can be successful. This chapter is primarily based on CIGRE Technical Brochures that cover a wide range of environmental issues, with information extracted and edited to make the information appropriate to HVDC projects. The issues described in this chapter are relevant to all types of HVDC schemes, including Line Commutated Converters (LCC) and Voltage Sourced Converters (VSC), and describes the impact from the converter stations, earth electrodes and where applicable the HVDC Over-Headline (OHL) and HVDC land and sea cables. These guidelines should be useful to readers seeking to understand the environmental issues involved with HVDC Scheme installations and their operation. Given the wide audience and the numerous possible locations for HVDC schemes throughout the world, it is not possible to address every scenario relating to environmental impacts. However, it is hoped that the issues addressed in this chapter will assist planners and developers as they seek to provide cost-effective and environmentally acceptable solutions for transmission of electric energy.