STUDY OF POWER SYSTEM STABILITY USING
SVC
Mohd Afzal Biyabani (g200904750)
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
Keywords: Power system stability, FACTS, SVC, Stabilizer.
ABSTRACT:
The paper presents a fundamental analysis of
the application of static VAR compensators
(SVC) for stabilizing power systems. Basic
SVC control strategies are examined in terms
of enhancing the dynamic and transient
stabilities. SVC is basically a shunt connected
static var generator whose output is adjusted
to exchange capacitive or inductive current so
as to maintain or control specific power
variable; typically, the control variable is the
SVC bus voltage. One of the major reason for
installing a SVC is to improve dynamic
voltage control and thus increase system load
ability There are the mainly accomplishes
work to construct an effective for SVC.
Firstly, to design a controller for SVC devices
on transmission lines,a Single Machine
Infinite Bus (SMIB) system is modeled. A
state space mathematical model is
constructed and a Program in MATLAB is
written to show the improvement in the
dynamic performance of the system.
INTRODUCTION:
Advances in power electronics have
introduced powerful tools to the electric
energy transmission and distribution
industry. One of the major products recently
applied is the Thyristor-Controlled Reactive
Power Compensators or Static VAR
Compensators (SVC). A Static VAR
Compensator (or SVC) is an electrical
device for providing fast-acting reactive
power on high voltage electricity
transmission networks. SVC are the part of
Flexible AC Transmission Systems,
regulating voltage and stabilizing the
system. It is an 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 VAR’s 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.
SVCs are used for:
1. Increasing power transfer in long
lines.
2. Stability improvement(both steady
state and transient) with fast acting
voltage regulation.
3. Damping of low frequency
oscillations (corresponding to
elctromechanical modes).
 4. Damping of subsynchronous
frequency oscillations (due to
torsional modes).
5. Control of dynamic overvoltages.
The Single Machine Infinite Bus (SMIB)
Power system model is considered and a
SVC is installed at the centre of the
transmission lines. The model is
mathematically developed and the
controller is designed.
Flexible AC transmission system
(FACTS):
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.
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.
Examples:
 Thyristor-controlled series capacitor
(TCSC)
 Thyristor-controlled series reactor
(TCSR)
 Thyristor-switched series capacitor
(TSSC):
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.
Examples:
  Static synchronous compensator
(STATCOM).
 Static VAR compensator (SVC).

Static VAR Compensator:

Basic Configuration:

Typically, a SVC comprises a bank of

individually switched capacitors in
conjunction with a thyristor -controlled
air- or iron-core reactor. 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 Fig 1. One line diagram of a typical SVC
network. In this configuration, configuration; here employing a thyristor-controlled
coarse voltage control is provided by the reactor with a bank of three mechanically-switched
capacitors; the thyristor-controlled capacitors.
reactor is to provide smooth control.
Smoother control and more flexibility
The combination of thyristor-controlled
can be provided with thyristor-controlled
capacitors and reactors makes it possible to
capacitor switching.
set any desired operating point over a
predetermined VAr range within its
capacitive and inductive limits. The only
constraint is that the TCR rating can fully
compensate the capacitive rating or that a
switchable capacitor bank is graded
accordingly.

SVC V-I Characteristic

The SVC can be operated in two different

modes: In voltage
regulation mode and in var control mode
(the SVC susceptance is kept constant)
When the SVC is operated in voltage
regulation mode, it implements the
following V-I characteristic. As long as the
SVC susceptance B stays within the
maximum and minimum susceptance values
imposed by the total reactive power of
capacitor banks (Bcmax) and reactor banks
(Blmax), the voltage is regulated at the
reference voltage Vref. However, a voltage
droop is normally used (usually between 1%
and 4% at maximum reactive power output),
and the V-I characteristic has the slope
indicated in the Figure.5. The V-I
characteristic is described by the following
three equations:

SVC is in regulation range (-Bmax< B

<BLmax)

V  I /Bcmax Fig 2. V-I characteristics of SVC

V =Vref + Xs . I
SVC is fully capacitive (B=Bcmax) Advantages of SVC:

V =I / Blmax The main advantage of SVCs over simple

SVC is fully inductive (B=BLmax)
Where,
V = Positive sequence voltage (p.u.)
I = Reactive current (p.u./Pbase)
(I > 0 indicates an inductive current)
Xs = Slope or droop reactance (p.u./Pbase)
BCmax = Maximum capacitive susceptance
(p.u./Pbase) with all TSCs in service, no
TSR or TCR
BLmax = Maximum inductive susceptance
(p.u./Pbase) with all TSRs in service or
TCRs at full conduction, no TSC
Pbase = Three-phase base power
mechanically-switched compensation
schemes is their near-instantaneous response
to changes in the system voltage. For this
reason they are often operated at close to
their zero-point in order to maximize 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.

POWER SYSTEM MODEL:

Power Improvement Using SVC:

An SVC can be used to enhance the powr

transfer capacity of a transmission line,
which is also characterized as the steady
state power limit. Consider a single machine
infinite bus (SMIB) system with an
interconnecting lossless tie line having
reactance X shown in the figure.
 The power flow across the half line section
connecting the generator and the SVC is
expressed as
1∗V 2
Pc= V( X /2 )
∗sinδ /2

The power transfer in the other half line

section interconnecting the SVC and the
infinite bus is also described by a similar
equation. Assuming further that
Fig 3. Single machine infinite bus system (a) an Vm=V1=V2=V, then
v2∗1
uncompensated system and (b) an SVC compensated
system.
Pc= ( )
X /2
∗sinδ /2

Let the voltages of the synchronous Which is depicted graphically as shown

generator and infinite bus be V1 at an angle below . The maximum transmittable power
δ and V2 respectively. The power across the line is then given by
transferred from the synchronous machine to V2
the infinite bus is expresses as
Pcmax= ( )
X /2
∗sinδ /2

1∗V 2
P= V ( X )
∗sinδ Which is twice the maximum power
transmitted in the uncompensated case and
If v1=v2=v then, δ
occurs at =90degrees. In other words the
2
P=( V 2 / X )∗sinδ midpoint located ideal SVC doubles the
At δ=90 degrees steady state power limit and increases the
stable angular difference between the
Pmax= ( V 2 / X )
synchronous machine and the infinite bus
Now let the transmission line be from 90 to 180 degrees.
compensated at its midpoint by an ideal
If the transmission line is divided into ‘n’
SVC. The term ideal corresponds to an SVC
equal sections, with an ideal SVC at each
with an unlimited reactive power rating that
junction of these sections maintaning a
can maintain the magnitude of the midpoint
constant voltage magnitude V then the
voltage constant for all real power flow
power transfer Pc’ of this line can be
across the transmission line. The SVC bus
expresses as
voltage is then given by Vm at an angle δ/2.
 Enhancement of Transient Stability:

An SVC significantly enhances the ability to

maintain synchronism of a power system, even
when the system is subjected to large sudden
disturbances.

An enhancement is transient stability is achieved

Fig 4. The variation of line real power flow and
SVC reactive power flow in a SMIB system
primariliy through voltage control exercised by
the SVC at the interconnected bus. Consider
both the uncompensated and SVC compensated
power system depicted in the figure.Assume that
both the systems are transmitting the same level
of power and are subject to an identical fault at
the generator terminals for an equal length of
time.The power angle curves in the
uncompensated and compensated systems are
indicated by rotor angle δ1 and δc1. These
points corresponds to the intersection between
respective power-angle curves with the
mechanical input line Pm which is same for both
the case.

' v2
Pc =
( nx )sin ( δ2 )
It can be shown that the reactive power
requirement Qsvc of the midpoint SVC for
the voltage stabilization is given by

4 v2 δ
Qsvc=
x
∗ 1−cos(2 ( ))
It is seen to double the power transfer to 2Pmax
the required reactive power rating of SVC if 4
times the maximum power power transfer in an
uncompensated cas, that is, 4Pmax.Such high
rated SVCs may not be economcally feasible.

Fig 5. Power angle curves depicting transient
stability margins in the SMIB system (a) the
uncompesated system (b) the SVC compensated
system
In the event of a 3 phase to ground fault at the
generator terminals, even though the short
circuit current increase enormouslty, the active
power output from the generator reduces to zero.
Because the mechanical input remains
unchanged, the generator accelerates until fault
clearing, by which time the rotor angle has
reached values δ2 and δc2 and the accelerating
energy, A1 and Ac1 has been accumulated in the
uncompensatd and compensated system,
respectively. When the fault is isolated , the
electrical power exceeds the mechanical inpur
power and the generator starts decelarating. The
rotor angle however continues to increase until
δ3 and δc3 from the stored kinetic energy in the
rotor. The decline in the rotor angle commences
only when the decelarating energies represented
by A2 and Ac2 in the two cases, respectively,
become equal to the accelarating energies A1
and Ac1.
The power system in each case returns to stable
operation if the post fault angular swing,
denoted by δ3 and δc3, does not exceed the
maximum limit of decelarate. The farther the
angular overswing from its maximum limit, the
more transient stability in the system. An index
of the transient stability is the available
decelerating energy, termed the transient
stability margin, and is denoted by areas
Amargin and Acmargin in the two cases
respectively. Clearly, as Acmargin significantly
exceeds Amargin the system transient stability is
greatly enhanced by the installation of an SVC.
The increase in transient stability is thus
obtained by the enhancement of the steady state
power transfer limit provided by the voltage
control operation of the midline SVC.
Mathematical Representation:
The above considered power system model
without SVC can be represented in the
mathematical equations in 4th order as:
dδ
=wo ( w−1 )
dt
dw 1
= ∗( pm− pe )
dt 2 H
d eq' 1 ' '
= ∗( Efd−eq −( xd −xd ) id )
dt Tdo '
d ⩟ Efd Ke ⩟ Efd
dt
=
Te( )
∗( uE+ vtr−vt )−
Te
If the system is stable, there is no need of SVC
to control the system. Hence, the susceptance of
SVC will be zero initially. Now when a
disturbance occurs in the system, SVC controller
comes into picture and removes the oscillations
after certain time interval.Now, Let us design a
SVC model with a lead-lag compensator and
develop the state equations from the model.
 vt=v d 2+ v q2

The expressions for id and iq are obtained from

solving the power system model.

Now, writing a program in MATLAB for the

above power system we can obtain the results
as:

SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS:

Fig 6. SVC with lead lag compensator

The figure above shows the lead lag

compensator for SVC. The state equations for
above system are:

dx 5 ⩟w x5
dt
=Ks d (
dt
−
Tw) (a)

dx 5
dx 6 x 5
= −
( dt )
T1
−
x6
dt T2 T2 T2

dx 6
dx 7 x 6
= +
( dt )
T3
−
x7
dt T4 T4 T4

dBsvc Kc( x 7 +Bsvcref )

= −Bsvc / Tc
dt Tc
(b)
Also we know that,

Pe=vd∗id +vq∗iq

Where,

vd=−ra∗id + xq∗iq

vq=−ra∗iq+ e q ' −x d '∗id

(c)

(d)

Fig 7. (a),(b),(c),(d)-Plots for uncompensated

system for 4 cycles.

Simulation results with PSS:

Fig 8. Rotor angle and rotor speed vs time for 6
cycles with PSS

Conclusion:
In this study, the power system stability
enhancement via PSS and SVC based
stabilizer when applied independently and
also through coordinated application was
discussed and investigated. For the proposed
stabilizer design problem, the mathematical
model for the power system was developed .
The model is most suitable for analysis and
digital simulations of SVC in power
systems. The proposed stabilizer have been
tested on a weakly connected power system
and non linear simulation results show the
effectiveness and robustness of the proposed
stabilizers to enhance the system stability.
8. Damping of Generator Oscillations
using Static VAR Compensator by
Kan- Lee Liou and Yuan Yih Hsu
9. Static Var Compensator Wikipedia
10. N.G. Hingorani, Understanding
FACTS: Concepts and technology of
Facts
11. A.H. M.A.Rahim, S.A. Al-Baiyat
and H.M. Al-Maghrabi, Robust
Damping Controller design for SVC.
12. Improvement of Transmission
capacity by TCR by A Olwegard, K.
Walve, G0 Waglund and H. F rank.

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