A life-cycle cost analysis of High Voltage Direct Current utilization for solar energy systems: The case study in Turkey

With technological advancements in High Voltage Direct Current, solar energy transmission over long distances and between countries is now possible. As a result, this paper conducts a thorough Life-cycle cost analysis in Turkey. To that end, a 1000 km long High Voltage Direct Current Overhead Transmission Line between Mersin, Balikesir, and Istanbul is being built, which will transport energy generated by solar power plants from potentially high solar regions to the most energy-deficient regions. The motivation is testing the hypothesis that any investment should be contingent on the investment cost, being it amortized and generating profits for the interest rate of any country. This hypothesis is tested in this paper with a comparative cumulative cash flow for High Voltage Direct Current converters using the net present value. Data is gathered from various studies as well as the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. The 27-year Life-cycle cost projection has shown that the Voltage Source Converter-High Voltage Direct Current-Overhead Transmission Line outperformed the best with a 448,61 Meuro net present value, and a break-even 9 years after the beginning of the project pertained to a 1500 MW power rating option. This investment satisfies Turkey's condition in terms of opportunity cost and positive externality. The innovation of this paper is the proposal of an efficient operation of increasing solar energy systems with increasing High Voltage Direct Current transmission systems as an alternative energy solution to meet energy demands in the context of a growing economy. Meanwhile, this research can serve as a model for developing countries, not only for economic reasons, but also for environmental concerns.