HVDC transmission corridor — Cost benefit analysis

Constructed in 1986, the 750 kV line connecting the Ukrainian and Romanian transmission networks went out of service in the mid-1990s due to damage to the lines. Although the Romanian TSO and the Ukrainian TSO carry plans to restore the line, each has experienced significant development of their transmission networks since the line went out of service. This article identifies the optimal configuration of the corridor to serve the transmission requirements of the system operators in Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. Currently the transmission corridor, which had consisted of a 750kV AC Over Head Line (OHL), is not in operation and is in a state that cannot be easily repaired. The OHL has been damaged so that it could be considered as “non-existent” for each party. The investment scenarios themselves are comprised two voltage levels considered for the corridor: 400 kV and 750 KV. In turn, these voltages can be analyzed in terms of synchronous AC or asynchronous DC connection via a back-to-back station that may be located in either Moldova or Romania.