MODERN TRENDS IN FLEXIBLE A.C.

TRANSMISSION
Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
Engineeringpapers.blogspot.com
More Papers and Presentations available on above site

ABSTRACT:

Energy is the basic necessity for the economic development of the country. The
rate of growth of electricity usage throughout the world is increasingly high in the last ten
years. In recent years ecological concerns and high installation costs have put constraints
over construction of new plant and overhead lines in many countries; thereby forcing
existing system to be used more efficiently, A.C. transmission systems are thought of as
being ‘inflexible’. Power flow in A.C. networks simply follows ohms law and ordinarily
cannot be made to flow along specific desired path. Consequently in an A.C. network, the
power flow from the source to the load is in inverse proportion to the relative impedance
paths take the largest fraction of flow; but all lines in the interconnection are a part of the
flow path.
With these numbers of operating constraints in terms of voltage profile, power
flow, stability and sub synchronous resonance (SSR) are figured. Conventional means
such as circuit breakers, isolators, shunt and serried compensators along with
synchronous condensers help a lot to deal with these problems. But the overall control is
slow and at times may result in loss of synchronism and serious over-voltages on load
buses.
Development of flexible A.C. Transmission systems (FACTs) technologies has
made it possible the control of power flow on A.C. transmission lines and utilizes the
existing facilities all the way to its thermal limit without degrading reliability. FACTs
include the use of high power electronics, advanced control centers and communication
links.
This paper covers the modern trends in Flexible A.C. transmission System
envisaging the FACTs controllers with present and future applications.

INTRODUCTION:

The need for more efficient electricity management has given rise to innovative
technologies in power station is a good example of a new development in power
generation and flexible A.C. transmission systems FACTs; as they are generally known
are new devices that improve transmission systems. Worldwide transmission systems are
undergoing continuous changes and restructuring. They are becoming more heavily
loaded and are being operated in ways not originally envisioned. Transmission systems
must be flexible to react to more diverse generation and load patterns. In addition the
economical utilization of transmission systems is of vital importance to enable utilities in
industrialized countries to remain competitive and to survive. In developing countries; the
optimized use of transmission system investments is also important to supply industries,
create employment and utilize efficiently scarce economic resources.
Flexible A.C Transmission Systems (FACTs) is a technology that responds to
these needs. It significantly alters the way transmission systems are developed and
controlled together with improvements in asset utilization, system flexibility and system
performance.

The basic idea behind FACTs is that it is possible to continuously vary the apparent
impedance of specific transmission lines so as to force power to flow along a desired
path. With the precise control of impedance of transmission lines using FACTs devices, it
is possible to maintain constant power flow of a desired quantum in a desired path in the
presence of continuous changes of load levels in the external AC network and to react in
a planned way to contingencies

FACTs devices consist of thyristor controlled series and shunt compensation and
make it possible to operate transmission lines stably at power levels well beyond those
normally used. Flexible A.C. transmission Systems is in the development stages from
quite a few time and considerable innovations have been reported recently in FACTs. The
latest in the series is the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) and the Generalized
Unified power flow controller (GUPFC). The evolution of UPFC not only allows the
combined application of phase – angle control but also real time transition from one
selected compensation mode into another to handle particular system contingencies more
effectively.
FACTs use controllable series and shunt compensation located at intermediate
substations with the following objectives.
i) Repaid control of reactive power and voltage profile flow using series and
shunt-connected controllers.
ii) Secure loading of lines close to their thermal limits.
iii) Improve power transferability, transient stability and dynamic stability of line
during fault switching etc

2. GENERATION OF FACTS CONTROLLER:

FACTs devices are used for the dynamic control of voltage, impedance and phase
angle of high voltage A.C. transmission lines. FACTs devices can be divided into a
number of generations depending upon their development stages. These generations are
as follows.

2.1 1st Generation FACTs Controllers:

Static VAR Compensator (SVC)
Thyristor controlled Reactor- Fixed Capacitor (TCR-FC) System
TCR-TSC system
Thuristor Controlled Phase Angle regulator (TCPAR) System or static phase shifter
(SPC)

2.2 2nd Generation FACTs Controllers:

Thyristors controlled series compensators (TCSC)
Static Condensers (SATCONS)

2.3 Today’s Facts Controllers

Unified power flow controllers (UPFC)
Generalized Unified Power flow controllers (GUPFC)

2.4 Future FACTs Controllers

Interline power flow controller (IPFC)

3. DEVELOPMNET OF FACTS CONTROLLERS:

3.1 Static VAR Compensator (SVC):

An SVC is based on thyristro-controlled reactors (TCR), thyristor controlled capacitors
(TSC) and/or Fixed Capacitors (FC) tuned to filters. A TCR consists of a fixed reactor in
series with a bi-directional thyristor valve. A TSC consists of a

Capacitor bank in series with a bo-directional thyristor valve and a damping reactor,
which also serves to de-tune the circuit to avoid parallel resonance with the network. Two
very common design types, both having each their specific merits are as shown in figure
below.

Few improvements obtained by use of SVC are as below:

 1) The transient stability and steady state power handling capacity can be improved
by using SVC at intermediate bused of long lines.
2) Dynamic stability is increased due to the increased damping provided.
3) Steady state and temporary over voltages can be controlled
4) Load power factor is improved and hence system efficiency is improved
5) SVC is faster in response than synchronous condensers and provides damping for
SSR for oscillations.

3.2 TCPAR System:

This is also known as Static Phase Shifter (SPC). Adding or subtracting variable
component in quadrature with the bus voltage achieves the phase shift with respect to bus
voltage. This variable quadrature with the bus voltage. This variable quadrature voltage
component in one phase is obtained by thyristor switches and by exciting transformer,
which is connected between the other two phases. The quadrature voltage is injected in
series ith the transmission line by a boosting transformer. The scheme is shown in fig.

3.3 Thyristros Controlled series Compensation (TCSC):

TCSC is used to control the effective line reactance by connecting a TCR combination
with mechanically switched capacitor sections in series. Series compensation is used with
long lines for providing compensation of reactive power and giving higher power
transferability. It is preferred to the shunt compensation as the rating required for the
series

Compensations are comparatively smaller however the series compensated lines suffer
from the drawback of producing series resonance at frequencies lower than power
frequencies, which is called Sib-Synchronous Resonance Sub-Synchronous Resonance
results in damage to rotor shafts or turbo alternators producing torsional torque.
3.4 STATCON (Static Condensers)

STATION is actually a shunt compensation device. The major differences between a

SVC and STATION are.
1. Use of Gate Turn off switch (GTO) in STATION compared to use to
conventional thyristors in SVC.
2. SVC is a voltage regulator and a variable susceptance controller whereas
STACON is based on voltage source converter (VSC).

The operating principle is like a synchronous condenser. VSC is coupled to circuit

through a transformer, which provides the safe operating voltage and small reactance.
And inverter generates three phase voltages in phase with ac system voltages. The current
lags if the inverter voltage is less than the system voltage and leads if the inverter voltage
is greater than the system voltage. The reactive power delivered by STATION is a
function of voltage and current. The device can deliver reactive power under reduced
voltage condition and has a better performance than a static var compensator. Except a
very small loss-taking place in the VSC, no real energy exchange takes place.

(a) The STATION is capable of supplying required reactive power even at

small values of bus voltages where reactive power supply capability gets
limited to its susceptence limit. The susceptence decreases linearly with
decrease in bus voltage.
(b) Due to suspetence limit, SVC cannot have a short time overload capacity
whereas STATION can have the same.
(c) STATION can serve as a real power exchanger if it has an energy source
at DC bus, conversely supply DC power.

3.5 Unified power Flow Controller (UPFC)

This is the latest in the series of FACTS controllers. The principal is based upon injection
a variable voltage in series with the transmission line in order to control real and reactive
power flow through the line. The device has two branches
i. A series branch
ii. A shunt branch

Each branch is a GTO based inverter branch. The series branch has a voltage
source inverter, which injects a voltage in series through a transformer as shown. In
doing so it cans voltage in series though a transformer as shown. In doing so it can
exchange real power with the transmission line by injection a voltage in series
through a transformer. But exchange of power is only possible if it has an energy
source at its DC terminal the UPFC with only series branch functioning but
exchanging real power is called Static Synchronous Series Compensation (SSSC).

The shunt branch exchanges the reactive power independently with the system. A
systematic diagram is as shown in fid.

3.6 Generalized Unified Power Flow Controller (GUPFC)

The generalized unified power flow controller (GUPFC) is multilane UPFC which
can control bus voltage bus voltage and power flows of more than one line or even a sub-
network the GUPFC with combing three or more converters working together extends the
concepts of voltages and power flow control beyond what is achievable with the known
two-converter UPFC FACT controller.

The simplest GUPFC consists of there converters one connected in shunt and the
other tow-in series with two in series who two transmission lines in a substation. It can
control total five power system quantities such as a bus voltage and independent active
and reactive power flows of more degree of freedom can be introduced and hence more
control objective can be achieved real power can be exchange among shunt and series
converters via the common DC link.

The GUPFC can construct a multi terminal sub network, which can control active
and reactive power flows for a group of lines and selected bus voltage within a substation
to their specified objectives. This has significantly extended the voltage and power flow
control capability that was achieved bus the independent STATCON or SSSC or UPFC.
4. Benefits of Utilizing FACTs Devices.
The benefits of utilizing FACTS is devices in electrical transmission systems are
discussed hare.

1) Better utilization of existing transmission system assets:

In many countries increasing the energy transfer capacity and controlling the load flow of
transmission lines are of vital importance, especially in deregulated market where the
locations of generation and the bulk load centers can change rapidly. Frequently adding
new transmission lines to meet increasing electricity demand is limited by economical
and environmental constraints FACTs devices help to meet these requirement with the
existing transmission systems.

2) Increased transmission system reliability and availability

Transmission system reliability and availability is affected by many different factors.
Although FACTs devices cannot prevent faults, they can mitigate the effects of faults and
make electricity supply more secure by reducing the number of line trips. For example a
major load rejection results in an over voltage of the line which can lead to a line trips.
SVC’s or STATCOMs counteract the over voltage and avoid line tripping

3) Increased dynamic and transient grid stability.

Long transmission lines. Interconnected grids impact of changing loads and line faults
can create instabilities in transmission systems. These can lead to reduced line power
flow or even to line trips. FACTs devices stabilize transmission systems with resulting
higher energy transfer capability and reduced risk of line trips.

4) Increased quality of supply for sensitive industries

Modern industries depend upon high quality electricity supply inducing constant voltage
and frequency and no supply inducing constant voltage and frequency and no supply
interruptions voltage dips, frequency variations or the loss of supply can lead to
interruptions in manufacturing processes with high resulting economic losses. FACTs
devices can help provide the required quality of supply

6) Environments Benefits.

FACTs devices are environment friendly. These contain no hazardous materials and
produce no waste pollution FACTs help distribute the electrical energy more
economically through better utilization of existing installations, thereby reducing the
need for additional transmission losses.

5) FACTs Implementation

5.1 Steps for the Identifications FACTs Projects.

 1) The first step should always be to conduct a detailed network study to investigate
the critical conditions of a grid or grid connections. These conditions could
include, risks of voltage problems or even voltage collapse, undesired power flow
as well as the potential for power swings of sub-synchronous resonance.
2) For a stable gird the optimized utilization of the transmission lines e.g. increasing
the energy transfer capability could be investigates.
3) If there is a potential for improving the transmission system. Either through
enhanced stability or energy transfer capability, the appropriate FACTs devices
and its ratings can be determined.
4) Based on this technical information an economical study can be performed to
compare costs of FACTs devices or conventional solutions with the achievable
benefits.

5.2 Operation of FACTs Devices:

FACTs devices are normally operated automatically. They can be located in unmanned
substation. Changing of set points or operation modes can be done locally and remotely
(e.g. from a substation control room. A regional control center or a national control
center)

5.3 Maintenance of FACTs Device.

Maintenance of FACTs devices in minimal and similar to that required for shunt
capacitors reactors and transformers it can be performed by normal substation personnel
with no special procedures by normal substations personnel with any special procedures.
The amount of maintenance ranges from 150 to 250 man-hours per year and depends
upon the size of installation and the local ambient (pollution) conditions.

5.4 Testing of FACTs Devices.

The design of all FACTs devices should be tested in a transient network analyzer (TNA)
under all possible operational conditions and fault scenarios the results of the TNA tests
should be consistent with the results of the network, study, which was performed at the
start of the project. The results of the TNA study also provide the criteria for the
evaluation of the site commissioning tests.
The consistency of the results.
Of the network study in the beginning of the project
Of the TNA study with the actual parameters and functions of the installations before
going to site and
Of the commissioning to site and
Of the commissioning on site
Ensures the required functionality of the FACTs devices.

5.6 Impact of FACTs in interconnected networks.

 • It enables the participating parties to share the benefits of large power systems
such as optimization of power generation, utilization of difference in load profiles
and polling of reserved capacity.

• Environmental benefits are achieved when e.g. surplus of clean hydro resources
from one origin can help to replace polluting fossil-felled generations in another.

• FACTs help to enable mutually beneficial trade of electric energy between the
countries.

5.7 FACTs for minimizing of grid investments.

It has been mentioned that an important incentive for considering of FACTs fro grid
planning is its being an considering of FACTs for grid planning is its being an
economically as well as polytonality and environmentally attractive to larger, more costly
and more time consuming investments in extended transmission networks i.e. basically
more lines. Thus for instance it can be shown that the cost of installing series capacitors
as means for improving the power transmission capacity or existing line amounts to only
a fraction of the cost for installing one or several lines. This is valid for all existing
transmission voltages and for all transmission distances where series compensation from
the very beginning power transmission between circuits, thereby minimizing costs as well
as environmental impact from the start.

5.8 Future Developments FACTs:

Future developments will include the combination of existing devices e.g. combining a
STATCON with a TSC (thyristor switched capacitor) to extend the operational range in
addition more sophisticated control systems will improve the operations of FACTs
devices improvements in semiconductor technology (e.g. higher current carrying
capability, higher blocking voltages) could replace the costs of FACTs devices and
extend their operations ranges. Finally developments in superconductor technology open
the door to new devices likes SCCL (super conducting current limiter and SMES (super
conducting Magnetic Energy Storages) There is a vision for a high voltage transmission
system around the world to generate electrical energy economically and environmental
friendly and proved electrical energy economically and environmental friendly and
provide electrical energy where it is needed. FACTs are the key to make this vision live.

CONCLUSION:
The advent of FACTs controllers has provided fast, reliable control to bus voltages
stability and SSR. The evolution of FACTs controllers is going to be progressive with
time from the near term to long terms. With the advent of FACTs the AC system will
become more and flexible using the thyrstor as base component. It can be foreseen that
the world is heading for a power system, which is electronically controlled than
mechanically controlled providing better flexibility and reliability to the existing A.C.
system it is strongly believed that FACTs controllers will be able to solve the problems
related to voltage profile, stability and SSR in a big way in the coming decades.

Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
Engineeringpapers.blogspot.com
More Papers and Presentations available on above site