Steady-State Electrical Considerations of an Arizona-Mexico HVDC Tie

Abstract

This article explores the feasibility of an Arizona–Mexico tie. Since these systems are large scale systems, not synchronized between them and with different policies and regulations, a synchronous tie may be problematic. An HVDC tie should allow these adjacent systems to be operated independently while enabling transactions and avoiding typical issues such as erratic power flows. In this article, the major steady state considerations of interconnecting these particular systems via a DC tie are examined. Several alternatives are explored and tested on the northwest Mexico and a reduced western United States system.