Impact of a HVDC Link on the Reliability of the Bulk Nigerian Transmission Network

Regular and reliable access to energy is critical to the foundations of a stable and growing economy. The Nigerian transmission network generates more electricity than is consumed but, due to unpredicted outages, customers are often left without electrical power for several hours during the year. This paper aims to assess the present reliability indices of the Nigerian transmission network, and to determine the impact of HVDCs on system reliability. In the first part of this paper, the reliability of the Nigerian transmission system is quantified by building a model in DIgSILENT PowerFactory and carrying out a reliability study based on data provided by the Nigerian transmission-system operator. Both network indices and load-point indices are evaluated, and the weakest points in the network are identified. In the second part of the paper, an HVDC model is built and integrated into the existing network at the locations identified by the reliability study. A comparative study using two different HVDC connections is then carried out, to determine the critical impact of HVDC on system reliability. The reliability results indicate that the weakest points of the transmission system are the radial feeders, and the highest impact could be achieved by spanning an HVDC line between two busbars located at the two extremes of a radial feeder: Azura and Yola.