Environmental Implications and Potential of International High-Voltage Connections

Abstract

This paper reviews the potential of international High-Voltage connections and their impact and implications on the environment. It considers the proposed North African Super-grid, ways of creating connections in East Asia, HighVoltage connections in Eastern Europe, together with emissions from different types of power plant, and aspects which are considered in system interconnection feasibility studies. A case study highlighting environmental issues and High-Voltage interconnections considering electromagnetic fields, greenhouse gas emissions, rare and endangered species, and public participation programs in Quebec is summarized. First, the advantages of power system interconnections between the power systems of Algeria and Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, Tunisia and Libya, and Egypt and Libya, together with the potential of creating a North African Supergrid, are reviewed. The interconnection would be used mainly for reserve sharing, which may result in savings in reserve capacity of more than 12GW in 2015. Then, ways of creating international connections in East Asia and environmental implications of the connections are discussed: specific features of the region, state of the East Asian Electric Utility industry, and proposed main interstate ties in the region, including the Russia-Japan tie, Russia-China-South Korea tie, and East Siberia-China tie. The paper goes on to discuss ecological benefits of HVDC in comparison with HVAC, together with the main environmental advantages of the use of hydro power resources instead of thermal power plants (with their pollution) in the eastern parts of Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. CO 2 emissions from different types of electricity generation power plants in Europe are discussed. Also discussed are the advantages of enlargement of the UCTE system to the CENTREL countries; a five-terminal HVDC project connecting the systems of Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany; and the building of the Baltic Ring. Environmental, social development, and gender considerations in feasibility studies for High-Voltage interconnections is also discussed, where feasibility study considerations, the identification of essential organizations, identifying guidelines, defining preferred corridors, and the evaluation of costs are among the considerations that are examined. A case study on environmental implications of cross-border power lines created by free trade and regulation in Quebec in which environmental management systems, environmental issues, and advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives are examined is also discussed.

Keywords:

• Power Generation Environmental Implications International Power System Interconnections Hvdc And Hvac Transmission Power Plant Emissions Environment Impact Of Electricity Interconnections Asian Electricity Interconnections East European Electricity Interconnections North African Electricity Intercon