DNV Study Reveals Critical Need for Enhanced HVDC Standards
DNV has announced the completion of the first phase of its High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Standards joint industry project (JIP). This project was initiated to address gaps in the standards for HVDC transmission systems, which are crucial for modernizing the U.S. electric grid.
As electricity demand rises due to the expansion of data centers, the electrification of transportation and buildings, and an increase in renewable energy generation, there is a pressing need to upgrade and expand the U.S. electric grid. HVDC transmission systems are seen as a viable solution for enhancing grid capacity, reliability, and resilience. However, their limited adoption has resulted in a lack of comprehensive standards.
The initial phase of the JIP involved a high-level survey to identify the necessary standards and codes for implementing HVDC transmission systems in the U.S. The survey pinpointed four critical areas where standards are needed: performance/grid codes, manuals for Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs), utility interconnection manuals, and offshore design requirements. Although some functionalities, such as active power control and fault ride-through, are partially covered by existing U.S. Grid Codes (e.g., IEEE 2800-2022, FERC LGIA, NERC RSBES), there are notable gaps in areas like control modes, islanded operation, and adaptive control.
In the coming three years, DNV and its JIP partners—including Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, EDF Renewables, Equinor, Invenergy, National Grid Ventures, Ocean Winds, PPL TransLink WindGrid, RWE, Shell, and TotalEnergies—will delve deeper into these gaps. Their work will be divided into three phases. The first year will focus on a detailed gap analysis and prioritization of the identified issues. In 2025 and 2026, the participants will develop and implement strategies to address these gaps, which may involve proposing updates to standards and rules, such as initiating NERC SAR or IEEE PAR proceedings and revising RTO rules and offshore wind solicitation requirements.
“The speed at which we can bring about the transition to clean energy depends very much on the modernization of the U.S. transmission grid,” said Region President of Energy Systems North America at DNV Richard S. Barnes. “Incorporating HVDC will increase the reliability and capacity of the transmission system, and it is essential that the current U.S. Grid Code has performance standards that will ensure the safe and effective operations.”
According to DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook for North America, the grid must increase its capacity by 2.5 times by 2050 to accommodate the anticipated growth in renewable energy resources. Although 98% of current transmission lines in North America are HVAC, HVDC lines are expected to constitute 10% of the grid by 2050 due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to transmit high capacity with minimal losses, particularly for undersea cables connecting offshore wind farms.
