ISSN No:APPLY FOR, V – 1, I – 1, 2014 Journal Club for Electrical Engineering (JCEE) Manuscript No: JCEE/REV/2014/6, Received On: 24/08/2014 , Revised On : 29/08/2014, Accepted On: 02/09/2014 REVIEW ARTICLE © Copyright Reserved by “Journals Club & Co.” 1 A Review on Fundamentals of HVDC Transmission Edison Selvaraj 1 , C. Pugazhendhi Sugumaran 2 , Krishnamoorthi 3 , M. Raj Kumar 3 , M. Rajmal Joshi 4 , J. Ganesan 5 , S. Geethadevi 6 , S. Dinesh Kumar 7 1 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, India. 2 Division of High Voltage Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, India. 3 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Engineering and Technology, Mamallapuram, Chennai, India. 4 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, India. 5 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,Sree Sowdambika College of Engineering, Aruppukottai, India. 6 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Aurora Technological and Research Institute,Uppal, Hyderabad, India. 7 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, St. Peter’s University, Avadi, Chennai, India. ABSTRACT This paper deals with the basic knowledge for engineers to study about the need for HVDC transmission, applications, advantages, disadvantages, types and basic components of HVDC transmission. In addition, a review was given on the recent trends in HVDC transmission. The advantages of thyristor valves were discussed. The drawbacks of mercury arc valves were also indicated in this paper. This paper discusses only the basic fundamentals of HVDC. The first HVDC link in the world was indicated in this review paper. KEYWORDS HVDC transmission, HVDC links, Thyristor, Mercury Arc valve, HVDC cables. INTRODUCTION First Electric central station in world was built by Thomas A. Edison in New York at 1882 for supplying 110 V about 1.6 km through underground. Size of commutator and cost restricts the peripheral speed of the machine. Supremacy of AC in 1880 to 1890 was due to advent of Transformers, Poly phase circuits and Induction motors. Reactive power generated by the AC line was more than its power transmitting capacity for the length of the line greater than 500km. Breakeven distance decides the choice of HVDC converters. Cost decides design of HVDC link. The comparison of AC and DC transmission system were based on cost and technical performance. Need for HVDC Transmission The transport of bulk power above 500 km gives rise to the following problems: 1. Variation of voltage profile. 2. Decrease in power transfer. 3. Generation of reactive power. First HVDC link in world: The specifications of first HVDC link in the world were given as follows: Place: Island of Gotland to Swedish main land *Address for Correspondence: D. Edison Selvaraj Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, India. E-Mail Id: edisonsivakasi@gmail.com