The Eel River HVDC scheme — A 320 MW asynchronous interconnection between the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission and Hydro-Québec employing thyristor valves

This paper presents the benefits of interconnections for power and energy exchanges between electrical utilities as the justification for the unique Eel River Scheme. The objectives, design and performance of the HVDC facility are described to give an overview of this 320 MW power transmission link, the first such undertaking by an electrical utility to utilize thyristor valves. Schemes previously commissioned by utilities had employed ionic valves. The paper notes the high availability and reliability, exceeding 99.6% for at least one of the two links, being experienced.