Variable Shunt Reactors for Reactive Power Compensation

Introduction

The flow of reactive power in electrical networks is a consequence of varying reactive power consumption and generation. As the load requirement is changing, the reactive current drawn from the system also changes. When reactive current flows, a voltage drop occurs and the system voltage will decrease with respect to the no-load value. Furthermore, the flow of reactive current will cause additional losses in the network. On systems, where the varying reactive power requirements

due to changing consumption and/or generation cannot be tolerated, it is common practice to provide correction or compensation means in order to maintain operation of the power system within defined and accepted conditions. In networks, where consumption and generation are reasonably predictable and stable, fixed shunt capacitor banks or fixed shunt reactors are used. However, reactive power compensation is then accomplished for a specific operating condition only. More flexibility can be achieved by providing for mechanically

switching of those units. A special case of voltage regulation occurs when loads change very rapidly (e.g. in electric arc furnaces) - since such rapid voltage changes (flicker phenomena) can cause disturbances in lighting systems and in other power equipments. To improve the voltage quality in such cases, Static Var Compensator (SVC) installations are provided. An SVC, consisting of a thyristor-controlled reactor in parallel to a fixed capacitor bank, provides a fast controllable reactive load which responds very quickly to voltage changes.

Fig. 1 Distributed generation - wind farm

Application

If such a very fast and dynamic response is not mandatory, a continuously Variable Shunt Reactor (VSR) may be the optimum choice for providing the required function of reactive power compensation over a wide range of service conditions at minimum investment and operating costs. Functions which may be achieved by VSRs are: maintain steady-state voltage limit conditions

keep the reactive power flow within predefined limits maintain a desired power factor As part of the overall reactive compensation scheme, a continuously VSR may provide reactive power compensation and smooth steady-state voltage control in response to the daily load cycle and possible changes in power generation. Furthermore, the flexibility of VSRs

offers the ability to adapt to system topology changes or new operational requirements in the future.

Typical network conditions which favor the application of VSRs are: Networks with distributed generation (e.g. solar, wind, combined heat and power plants, etc.) may not always provide full control over their electrical output. This may create problems of increased flow of reactive power due to the varying reactive power of both, generation as well as consumption. Strongly varying loads powered through relatively long overhead lines or cables (e.g. power supply of islands or that of remotely located industrial plants). The application of a continuously VSR in shunt connection with the load will relieve the feeding line from reactive current and thereby mitigating the line losses and improving the voltage quality at the customer.

Fig. 2 Variable Shunt Reactor (VSR), 33 kV-15 Mvar

Equipment description

With more than 3 decades of successful field experience, Trench is the recognized world leader in designing and manufacturing of power reactors for all utility and industrial applications. Our unique design approach for VSRs is the appropriate answer for continuous adjustable reactive power compensation within minutes / hour time scale. The VSR obtains adjustability of its power output via variation of its inductance achieved by adjusting the air gaps of its magnetic circuit. This is realized by means of moveable

plunger cores. Depending on the position of the twin cores, an air gap of variable length inside the winding is provided. The magnetic circuit consists essentially of cylindrical shaped twin plunger cores and several C-shaped yokes, that enclose the plunger cores as well as the winding. By rotating the centrally arranged spindle (via a motor drive unit) the cores are approached or separated hence the air gap between the cores may be adjusted from near zero to about the full length of the winding.

This results in a wide adjustment range of the compensation power of the VSR. The action of varying the inductance may take about one minute, a time period which is approximately the operation time of transformer tap changers, the traditional means for maintaining a constant system voltage level.

A cover N

B worm gear

operating shaft angular gear

motor drive cabinet

tank

winding spindle movable plunger cores

Fig. 3 Schematic design of a Variable Shunt Reactor (VSR)

Design Features

3 phase, iron-cored, oil-immersed coil with variable air gap continuously adjustable, via a motor drive unit in on-load condition common oil-filled steel tank with detachable conservator with flanged-on radiators and throttle-valves mobile underbase with bidirectional rollers or skid base porcelain or condenser bushings according to voltage level and/or creepage distance requirements - optional: touch-free design via plug-in cable termination system

motor drive unit, 230/400 V 50 Hz, with push buttons for coil adjustment, with hand crank for emergency operation cabinet IP 54 with anti-condensation heater controlled by thermostat, mechanical position indicator double potentiometer for remote indication current transformers, 10 VA cl. 0,2 contact thermometer with signalization

double float Buchholz relay magnetic type oil level indicator with signalization dehydrating silicagel breather further protection and monitoring devices on request oil filling: transformer oil on naphtenic basis, inhibited or non-inhibited, acc. IEC 60296:2003 surface treatment: sand blasted with multiple coating, top coat color RAL 7033

Special Design

3 separated single phase units, mechanically connected via a common gear box

uniform insulation (non-graded) loss optimized design

extended power regulation range

Technical Characteristics

System voltage Rated 3-phase power Power regulation range Rated frequency Adjustment time from min to max. power Connection symbol Cooling method

up to 123 kV up to 50 Mvar 20 100 %, stepless adjustable 50 Hz (60 Hz on request) < 300 s YN ONAN

Fig. 4 Variable Shunt Reactor (VSR), 47 kV - 7 Mvar

Automatic Controller

In order to allow for automatic control of the VSR, Trench is also able to provide an automatic control device (based on our successful concept of the EFC 20 earth fault compensation controller).

The EFC 20 regulates the VSR within the given limits of reactive power demand this is particular convenient for unmanned or fully automated stations.

It further allows remote operation of the VSR by means of digital inputs or via a substation automation and control system. The automatic controller furthermore provides data logging and comprehensive recording functions.

Fig. 5 Automatic controller

Trench Austria GmbH Paschinger Strae 49, Postfach 36 A-4060 Linz-Leonding/Austria Phone +43.732.6793-0 Fax +43.732.67 13 41 email sales@trench.at Trench Limited Instrument Transformer Division 390 Midwest Road, Scarborough Ontario, Canada M1P 3B5 Phone +1.416.751-8570 Fax +1.416.751-6952 email sales@ca.trenchgroup.com Trench Limited Coil Product Division 71 Maybrook Drive, Scarborough Ontario, Canada M1V 4B6 Phone +1.416.298-8108 Fax +1.416.298-2209 email sales@ca.trenchgroup.com Trench France S.A. 16, rue du Gnral Cassagnou B.P. 70 F- 68302 St-Louis/France Phone +33.3.89 70 23 23 Fax +33.3.89 67 26 63 email sales@trench-tsf.com Trench Germany GmbH Nrnberger Strae 199 D-96050 Bamberg/Germany Phone +49.951.1803-0 Fax +49.951.1803-224 email sales@trench.de Trench Switzerland AG Lehenmattstrae 353 CH - 4052 Basel/Switzerland Phone +41.61.315 51 11 Fax +41.61.315 59 00 email sales@trench-tsf.com Trench (UK) Limited South Drive Hebburn Tyne & Wear NE 31 1 UW, Great Britain Phone +44-191-483-4711 Fax +44-191-430-0633 email sales@trench-uk.com Trench Brasil LTDA Via Expressa de Contagem, 2685 CEP 32370-485 Contagem, Minas Gerais/Brasil Phone +55.31.391-5959 Fax +55.31.391-1828 email trenchbrasil@ca.trenchgroup.com Trench China Limited 3658 Jiang Cheng Road Minhang, Shanghai 200245 P.R. China Phone +86.21.64630088 Fax +86.21.64637828 email sama@trenchcn.com

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