Feasibility of a DC intertie for Sitka-Kake-Petersburg interconnection

The electrical interconnection of the islands in Southeast Alaska would increase system reliability and reduce energy cost. This paper investigates the feasibility of an intertie between Sitka-Kake-Petersburg. The paper analyses the different options for the interconnection: AC transmission, DC transmission and a hybrid system, containing AC in the land sections and DC in the longer sea crossing. The analysis shows that the AC system is not feasible and the conventional DC system is not economical. The voltage source converter based DC system is the technically most advantageous solution. The budgetary economical evaluation favors the hybrid system, with voltage source converters.