Selection of design parameters of equipment for 800 kV transmission systems in India

In Indian generation program for the near future envisages installation of large generating stations with a capacity ranging from 2000-2500 MW. The existing voltage level of 400 kV would be inadequate for the evacuation and transport of power from these stations. In 1989 it was therefore decided that 800 kV should be the next AC transmission voltage in the country. At the same time, steps were taken by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to select the parameters of major substation equipment and transmission line material to bring uniformity in the development of future 800 kV systems, in the country. The representatives from utilities, industries and research organisations were associated with CEA in the standardisation work. The author outlines the procedure followed in selection of parameters for 800 kV class transmission and briefly discusses the design parameters selected for the various equipment for the 800 kV systems