Use of FACTS Devices for Improvement of Voltage Profile in Power System

Author Name(s): S.D. Naik, Anurag Shrivastava, Yogesh Awadhiya
Author Email: naiksd@rknec.edu

Abstract

The important function of power engineer is to do the planning for best, efficient operation of power system subject to the efficient and best way of power exchange between utility companies. Load flow is universally used as an important tool at planning and design stages of power system. Adequate reactive power management is necessary to maintain voltage profile in power system. The advantages of adequate reactive power control include maintaining power quality and flat voltage profile at all power transmission levels, improvement in power factor, transmission efficiency and system stability. The natural electrical characteristics of the electrical power system can be modified as per the requirements by using Series and Shunt Capacitor compensation techniques. Providing reactive power compensation using shunt and series capacitors and inductors at optimal locations is a well established method to improve the voltage profile in power system. There are several ways to improve power system performance using Static VAR Compensators (SVC). The SVC’s are most suitable for regulating voltages, increasing damping of power oscillation and damping synchronous resonances and torsional oscillations. This paper presents the practical results of comparison of performance analysis of power system with compensation (SVC Capacitive) and without compensation and their effect on voltage profile of system. To demonstrate the comparison, the transmission line model of length 180 km is considered. The experimental work outcome is helpful in designing and operational reactive power planning for maintaining suitable voltage profile in power system.

Introduction

The growing increment and usage of electricity worldwide has deregulated power companies into the section of three companies like Generation Company (Gencom), Transmission Company (Transcom) and Distribution Company (Discom). The problem of achieving better voltage control and reliable and secure operation of large power system is greatly simplified using advanced method of analysis and powerful softwares. The power system researchers are forced to shift their focus to improvement of power system stability due to many recurring incidences of blackouts around the world. There are many powerful numerical algorithms and softwares available for power flow analysis that determine the steady state operating characteristics of a power system network from the existing data of transmission lines and buses. Power flow analysis leads to knowing the bus voltages, currents in various transmission lines, active and reactive losses in lines. The planning for future expansion of power systems is possible using power flow analysis. For example, in case of emergency, it may become essential to remove transmission line or transformer from the system. In that case, it must be taken into consideration that the remaining lines in the system handle should be capable of carrying the required load currents without exceeding their thermal limits.

Conclusion

A capacitor is well known source of the reactive power generation. Static VAR Compensator is used in the power system to supply or absorb excess the reactive power required by the transmission line. Static VAR Compensation added to transmission lines is widely used to improve and maintain the voltage profile in the power system. Under voltage adversely affects performance of loads such as induction motors, light bulbs, etc. Whereas over voltage is the main cause of magnetic saturation and resultant harmonic generation. This may lead to equipment failures due to insulation breakdown. Therefore, maintaining the required voltage levels is important for proper operation and utilization of loads. From the results we can infer that providing compensation is most effective and powerful technique for maintain reactive power balance in power system and helps power system to operate in most efficient way.

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