Nelson River HVDC System

Asset Management

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Overview • Introduction to the Nelson River HVDC System

• Asset management drivers

• Asset management life cycle

• Examples of projects implemented

• Future projects

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Introduction

Bipole I

• ± 463.5 kV, 1854 MW

• Pole 1 Installed in 1972

• Pole 2 installed in 1977

• Last mercury arc valve project that was commissioned

• Highest voltage

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Introduction

Bipole I - Pole 1

• Valves replaced in 1992 with thyristor valves

• Scope included

– valves

– VBE

– cooling

– valve group controls

– Aux/BOP

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Introduction

Bipole I - Pole 2

• Valves replaced in 2004 with thyristor valves

• Scope (no controls)

– valves

– VBE

– cooling

– Aux/BOP

5

Introduction

Bipole II

• ± 500 kV, 2000 MW

• VG 31 and VG41 Installed in 1978

• VG 32 and VG42 installed in 1984

• Thyristor valves remain in-service

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Asset Management – Primary Drivers

• System Demands

– HVDC System transmits 75% of Manitoba Hydro’s power from the North to Southern load

– Since 1991, HVDC System essentially fully loaded

• Reliability

– Forced outages costly, planned outages difficult to obtain

• Compliance requirements

– Safety and environmental

• Budget pressures

– Aging assets, new development

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Asset Management - Life Cycle

• Planning Stage

– Quantitative process, based on asset health and probabilistic analysis

– Maintain a 20 year asset management plan includes generation and HVDC

• Procurement Stage – long term view

– Documentation, future replacement

• Maintenance – Reliability Centered Maintenance

– Quantify the results of maintenance activities, adjust as necessary

– Identify maintenance issues, upgrades, replacements

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Project – Bipole I, Pole 2 Valve Replacement

• Pole 2 analogue controls were not included in the project scope

– in service today (37 years in service)

• Pole 1 controls replaced in 1992 (now 22 years in service)

9

Project– Smoothing Reactor Replacement

• Original oil filled reactors replaced with air core (2011/2012)

• Bipole I and Bipole II - 250 mH reactors in series combinations

– efficiencies in manufacture, construction and spares

– Built in redundancy

• Elimination of insulating oil

• Reduced maintenance and fire risks

10

Future Projects - Post Bipole III

• Thyristor failures

• Cooling system leaks

• Valve electronic failures

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Bipole II Valve Replacement

Future Projects - Post Bipole III

• Bipole I controls replacement (45+ years)?

• Bipole I, Pole 1 Valve Replacement (30+ years)?

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Thank You

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