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TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATION

ON

ENERGY COOPERATION

OF

N-E ASIA

OCTOBER, 18, 2002

SUNWOO, HYUN-BUM

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I. Introduction

Energy Resources and Demand in N-E Asia

- Abundant Various Energy resources in East Siberia, Far East Russia and West China

* Rich resources of Coal, Crude oil, Natural Gas, Hydro and Nuclear Plant Site

* Not form an energy market to promote rich resources

- Dynamic Energy Demand and Environment Pollution * China, Korea Peninsula, and Japan

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- Now, New Challenges Promoting Closer Energy Cooperation and Demand side needed Environment Friendly Energies.

* Electricity : Inter-State Cross Border Interconnection.

Generated from above mentioned all kinds of resources.

* Natural Gas : PNG Trunk-line Network

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II. Electricity Power System Interconnection

1.  Technological Status and Barrier 

Power line system of each country has been developed and operatedindependently and some standards are incompatible.

Ultra-high Voltage Transmitting System

  * Alternating Current Transmission System (50 or/and 60 Hz)

Russia, China and East-half of Japan : 50 HzKorean Peninsular (both Korea) : 60 H

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* Standard Voltage Level has been developed and operateddifferently for each country.

Russia, China and Japan : Max. 500 kv system.

South Korea : Max. 765 kv & 345 kv

North Korea : Max. 220kv(future:500kv)

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2. Further Consideration 

• Organize the technical cooperative body of Study and Working Committee, composed of related countries.

 • Several Alternative Technologies

* High Voltage Direct Current(HVDC) and Hybrid AC/HVDC system.

* Flexible AC Transmission System(FACTS).

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Figure 1. Investment Cost versus Distance

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Through collaboration efforts by abovementioned Study andWorking Committee, they can develop and contrive the compatible regional operating and technical standards tomaintain reliable operation. DC links may be more costly thanAC links but they provide more security to each interconnectedpower system.  And in case of Inter Korea interconnection, some AC links canbe applied if an extent of interconnection and system operationcould be gradually extended by coordinating voltage levels inthe same 60 Hz system operation.

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Synchronous AC network links are well adapted to short andmedium distances and for heavily interconnected networks, butthese systems are vulnerable. A major disturbance can lead to asystem’s complete collapse. Maintaining the stability of suchsystem requires great technical rigor and close cooperationbetween partners based on instant exchange of information.

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DC interconnection and transmission do not require suchrigorous operation and cooperation. But the use of DC isreserved for exchanges over long distance and large transmitcapacities or for linking systems with different operationalfrequency or technical standards. Apart from the technicalnecessity of isolating networks with different technicalcharacteristics, the decisions about whether to use synchronous(AC) or asynchronous (DC) links are often purely economic. In general, a direct current line can be economically justifiedonly beyond a certain distance (about 600 kilometers for aeriallines and 50 kilometers for underwater cables) and for hightransit capacities. DC lines require converter stations, which areexpensive.

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III. Natural Gas Supply(PNG Trunkline)

Current PNG Network can be shown as Fig.-1, which was reviewed in “Long Term Vision of Natural Gas Trunk Line in N-E Asia,” summarized by Northeast Asia Natural Gas & Pipeline Forum (NAGPF, from 1995, Forum of Research Institutes and/or Energy Experts from N-E Asian six(6) countries). Among these, some PNG Project is now under construction. China’s “West Gas To East Project,” which is planned to be completed in 2005, is currently their country’s own project, however, it has great important significance to the initiation of the N-E Gas Pipeline Network in N-E Asia.

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Surgut Tomsk

Urumqi

West Siberia

Irkutsk

Yakutsk North Sakhalin

Changchun

Khabarovsk Chita

Tarim

Central Asia

Natural Gas Field

Planned

Pipeline Routes Possible

Pipeline Routes

Gas Flow

Xi ’ an Rizhao

Niigata

Fig- 2 Long-term Vision of Natural Gas Trunkline

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2. Physical and Technical Problem

Major part of the pipeline system will function severe climate condition. Around 60% of the total territory pass through permafrost area.

The other difficulties are these pipeline has to pass not only permafrost area but also desert area, and sub-marine pipeline also be placed.

Technology and engineering should be jointly developed to solve the problemof long-age operation of large diameter and long distance pipeline.

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* Main Issues related to Technical Approach

- Summary and Analysis of worldwide oil and gas pipeline standards in permafrost area.

- Research on the operational problem in Arctic Region

- Main characteristic of submarine pipeline management and their case study

-  Pipeline design and operation in desert area

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3. Technical Cooperation among PNG Related Countries. 

Since these N-E Asian countries and regions have never experiencedmultilateral regional cooperation regime, more closer technicalcooperation is required. Specific issues

- Agreement for the standardization of pipeline design, construction and operation

-   Environmental and safety standard- Cooperation for the supply of equipments and materials and arrangement of technicians and laborers