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
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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)
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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
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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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