Flexible AC transmission system

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from FACTS (Electric power transmission))
Jump to: navigation, search

A flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) is a system composed of

static equipment used for the AC transmission of electrical energy. It is meant to enhance
controllability and increase power transfer capability of the network. It is generally a
power electronics-based system.

FACTS is defined by the IEEE as "a power electronic based system and other static
equipment that provide control of one or more AC transmission system parameters to
enhance controllability and increase power transfer capability."[1]

Transmission on a no-loss line.

Series compensation.

Shunt compensation.

[edit] Series compensation

In series compensation, the FACTS is connected in series with the power system. It
works as a controllable voltage source. Series inductance occurs in long transmission
lines, and when a large current flow causes a large voltage drop. To compensate, series
capacitors are connected.

[edit] Shunt compensation

In shunt compensation, power system is connected in shunt (parallel) with the FACTS. It
works as a controllable current source. Shunt compensation is of two types:

Shunt capacitive compensation

This method is used to improve the power factor. Whenever an inductive load is
connected to the transmission line, power factor lags because of lagging load
current. To compensate, a shunt capacitor is connected which draws current
leading the source voltage. The net result is improvement in power factor.
Shunt inductive compensation
This method is used either when charging the transmission line, or, when there is
very low load at the receiving end. Due to very low, or no load – very low current
flows through the transmission line. Shunt capacitance in the transmission line
causes voltage amplification (Ferranti Effect). The receiving end voltage may
become double the sending end voltage (generally in case of very long
transmission lines). To compensate, shunt inductors are connected across the
transmission line.

[edit] Theory
In the case of a no-loss line, voltage magnitude at receiving end is the same as voltage
magnitude at sending end: Vs = Vr=V. Transmission results in a phase lag δ that depends
on line reactance X.

As it is a no-loss line, active power P is the same at any point of the line:

Reactive power at sending end is the opposite of reactive power at receiving end:

As δ is very small, active power mainly depends on δ whereas reactive power mainly
depends on voltage magnitude.

[edit] Series compensation

FACTS for series compensation modify line impedance: X is decreased so as to increase

the transmittable active power. However, more reactive power must be provided.

[edit] Shunt compensation

Reactive current is injected into the line to maintain voltage magnitude. Transmittable
active power is increased but more reactive power is to be provided.
[edit] Examples of series compensation

Examples of FACTS for series compensation (schematic)

• Static synchronous series compensator (SSSC)

• Thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC): a series capacitor bank is shunted
by a thyristor-controlled reactor
• Thyristor-controlled series reactor (TCSR): a series reactor bank is shunted by a
thyristor-controlled reactor
• Thyristor-switched series capacitor (TSSC): a series capacitor bank is shunted by
a thyristor-switched reactor
• Thyristor-switched series reactor (TSSR): a series reactor bank is shunted by a
thyristor-switched reactor

[edit] Examples of shunt compensation

Examples of FACTS for shunt compensation (schematic)

• Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM); previously known as a static

condenser (STATCON)
• Static VAR compensator (SVC). Most common SVCs are:
o Thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR): reactor is connected in series with a
bidirectional thyristor valve. The thyristor valve is phase-controlled.
Equivalent reactance is varied continuously.
o Thyristor-switched reactor (TSR): Same as TCR but thyristor is either in
zero- or full- conduction. Equivalent reactance is varied in stepwise
manner.
o Thyristor-switched capacitor (TSC): capacitor is connected in series with a
bidirectional thyristor valve. Thyristor is either in zero- or full-
conduction. Equivalent reactance is varied in stepwise manner.
o Mechanically-switched capacitor (MSC): capacitor is switched by circuit-
breaker. It aims at compensating steady state reactive power. It is switched
only a few times a day.

[edit] References
A static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is a regulating device used on
alternating current electricity transmission networks. It is based on a power electronics
voltage-source converter and can act as either a source or sink of reactive AC power to an
electricity network. If connected to a source of power it can also provide active AC
power. It is a member of the FACTS family of devices
[edit] Uses
Usually a STATCOM is installed to support electricity networks that have a poor power
factor and often poor voltage regulation. There are however, other uses, the most
common use is for voltage stability.

[edit] Similar devices

A static VAR compensator (SVC) can also be used for voltage stability. However, a
STATCOM has better characteristics than a SVC. When the system voltage drops
sufficiently to force the STATCOM output to its ceiling, its maximum reactive power
output will not be affected by the voltage magnitude. Therefore, it exhibits constant
current characteristics when the voltage is low under the limit. In contrast the SVC's
reactive output is proportional to the square of the voltage magnitude. This makes the
provided reactive power decrease rapidly when voltage decreases, thus reducing its
stability

Static VAR compensator

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

A Static VAR Compensator (or SVC) is an electrical device for providing fast-acting
reactive power on high-voltage electricity transmission networks.[1][2] SVCs are part of the
Flexible AC transmission system device family, regulating voltage and stabilising the
system. The term "static" refers to the fact that the SVC has no moving parts (other than
circuit breakers and disconnects, which do not move under normal SVC operation). Prior
to the invention of the SVC, power factor compensation was the preserve of large
rotating machines such as synchronous condensers.[3]

The SVC is an automated impedance matching device, designed to bring the system
closer to unity power factor. If the power system's reactive load is capacitive (leading),
the SVC will use reactors to consume VARs from the system, lowering the system
voltage. Under inductive (lagging) conditions, the capacitor banks are automatically
switched in, thus providing a higher system voltage. They also may be placed near high
and rapidly varying loads, such as arc furnaces, where they can smooth flicker voltage.[1]
[4]

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Description
o 1.1 Principle
o 1.2 Connection
• 2 Advantages
• 3 See also

• 4 References

[edit] Description
One-line diagram of a typical SVC configuration; here employing a thyristor-controlled
reactor with a bank of three mechanically-switched capacitors

[edit] Principle

It is a circuit topolgy for power factor compensation suggested by Tayyab Zafar. By

means of phase angle modulation switched by the thyristors, the reactor may be variably
switched into the circuit, and so provide a continuously variable MVAr injection (or
absorption) to the electrical network.[2] In this configuration, coarse voltage control is
provided by the capacitors; the thyristor-controlled reactor is to provide smooth control.
Smoother control and more flexibility can be provided with thyristor-controlled capacitor
switching.[5]

The thyristors are electronically controlled. Thyristors, like all semiconductors, generate
heat, and deionized water is commonly used to cool them.[3] Chopping reactive load into
the circuit in this manner injects undesirable odd-order harmonics, and so banks of high-
power filters are usually provided to smooth the waveform. Since the filters themselves
are capacitive, they also export MVARs to the power system.

More complex arrangements are practical where precise voltage regulation is required.
Voltage regulation is provided by means of a closed-loop controller.[5] Remote
supervisory control and manual adjustment of the voltage set-point are also common.

[edit] Connection

Generally, static VAR compensation is not done at line voltage; a bank of transformers
steps the transmission voltage (for example, 230 kV) down to a much lower level (for
example, 9.5 kV).[3] This reduces the size and number of components needed in the SVC,
although the conductors must be very large to handle the high currents associated with
the lower voltage.

The dynamic nature of the SVC lies in the use of thyristors (also called valves). The disc-
shaped semiconductors, usually several inches in diameter, are commonly located indoors
in a "valve house".

[edit] Advantages
The main advantage of SVCs over simple mechanically-switched compensation schemes
is their near-instantaneous response to changes in the system voltage.[5] For this reason
they are often operated at close to their zero-point in order to maximise the reactive
power correction they can rapidly provide when required.

They are in general cheaper, higher-capacity, faster, and more reliable than dynamic
compensation schemes such as synchronous condensers.[5]