Novel Quasi-Autonomous Corona-based Power Supplies for Remote Telecommunication Repeaters under Overhead HVDC Power Transmission

Normally, overhead high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines and the accompanying communication systems are designed to cut through remote, inhabited and quite often inaccessible very long distance areas. As a result it becomes very costly not only to put up but also to run and maintain diesel power stations for powering remote telecommunication repeater stations. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the corona effect on HVDC lines with special emphasis on the associated space charge creation and radiation processes within the air dielectric. Furthermore, the paper presents and discusses the design of a novel, non-contact quasi-autonomous power supply that takes advantage of the corona phenomenon around HVDC lines as a cheaper alternative power source for powering of remote and less accessible telecommunication repeater stations. Results from both computer simulations and experiments done in HVDC laboratory environment will also be discussed.