“HVDC provides a favorable alternative to overhead alternating current (AC) transmission, requiring a smaller right-of-way and resulting in less line loss.”

“As grid operators work to boost transmission capacity over the next several years, HVDC will capture a much greater share of the total market,” says Pike Research president Clint Wheelock. “HVDC provides a favorable alternative to overhead alternating current (AC) transmission, requiring a smaller right-of-way and resulting in less line loss.” Wheelock adds that other applications for HVDC include underground and underwater cables; long-distance, point-to-point transmission; connection of asynchronous grids; back-to-back transmission; directional control of power flow; and renewable energy integration.

Pike Research’s analysis finds that much of the HVDC market growth is being driven by China, where it is the preferred technology for long-distance transmission. Europe has also used HVDC for underwater cables, long-distance transmission lines, and renewable generation integration. In addition, individual country grids are interconnected through the use of back-to-back HVDC. There are some HVDC installations in the United States, including interconnections with Mexico and Canada. While it has traditionally only made up about 2% of the U.S. market, Pike Research forecasts that the use of HVDC will increase substantially in the coming years and will represent 8% of cumulative investment in the U.S. transmission market through 2020.

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