As renewable generation shifts farther from load centers, HVDC links increasingly sit at the center of long
distance transfer strategies. “Losses” are not one number: they come from converter stations, filters,
auxiliary systems, and the line/cable itself — and each bucket has different levers.
Where losses come from
- Converter losses: semiconductor conduction/switching losses, transformer losses, cooling systems.
- Reactive/filters: harmonics management, filter banks, and associated controls.
- Line/cable: resistive losses, sheath/armor effects (cables), and operating point selection.
- Operations: suboptimal dispatch and constraints can increase loss per delivered MWh.
What to verify in design reviews
- Efficiency curves vs loading: not just “at rated”.
- Insulation coordination assumptions and overvoltage margins.
- Control stability across weak-grid conditions and contingency cases.
- Auxiliaries: cooling, HVAC, pumps/fans — these can be meaningful at partial load.
Practical takeaway
For bankable performance, treat loss as a system KPI with test evidence: a measurement plan, acceptance
criteria, and model validation (RMS and EMT where required).