International Journal of Emerging

Electric Power Systems

Volume 2, Issue 1

2005

Article 1038

Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a

400KV Interconnected Network
VENKATA NATARAJA JITHIN SUNDAR SISHTLA

Corporate R&D, BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED, jithin@bhelrnd.co.in

reshmimehboob@yahoo.co.in

c
Copyright 2005
by the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the
publisher, bepress, which has been given certain exclusive rights by the author. International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems is produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress).
http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps

Reshmi M

Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a

400KV Interconnected Network
VENKATA NATARAJA JITHIN SUNDAR SISHTLA and Reshmi M

Abstract
Fixed shunt reactors are traditionally used in long distance EHV and UHV lines to reduce
Ferranti over voltages and over voltages that arise due to load rejection. A new equipment called
Controlled shunt reactor (CSR) has been developed [3] and [4]. Detailed load flow and voltage
stability analysis on a typical 400KV interconnected network prove that replacement of fixed shunt
reactors with CSR is beneficial. This study report is an attempt to justify and quantify the economic
and technical benefits of CSR in a 400KV system
KEYWORDS: Compensation, economics, EHV transmission lines, impedance transformers, interconnected power systems, load flow analysis, reactive power, thyristors, voltage collapse, power
system dynamic stability

The authors express their sincere thanks to Mr. R.K Bhattachaya GM (EM) and Mr.M.P Soni
AGM (TPS) of Corp. R&D, BHEL for encouraging us to carrying out this work. The authors
thank the management of Corp. R&D, BHEL. for giving permission to publish this paper. The
authors also thank Dr. Federico Milano, University of Waterloo for his timely clarifications for the
technical queries.

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

1.0 Introduction
In India 400 kV transmission was introduced in 1971-72. The first two lines
were Obra-Sultanpur and Dehar-Panipat in Punjab. These long lines were
provided with Fixed Shunt Reactors (FSR) to control over voltages during
line energization and light load conditions that prevailed for longer duration
during the initial period. By 2001, the 400kV network has grown over 42000ckt km. More than th of the lines are compensated with FSRs to 60% of
their charging capacity. The total shunt reactor capacity connected in the
grid was around 10,500 MVAR. The grid was catering to a load of
65,000MW and 39,000 MVAR of reactive power. Permanent connection of
10,500 MVAR shunt reactor capacity was taking the total MVAR load close
to 50,000 MVAR. Today, the above figures could have reached higher levels.
This additional burden of reactive load under peak load conditions results in
reduced voltage profile and additional losses due to increased currents in the
net works. Higher losses and reduced voltage profile also indicate higher
reactive power requirement from generators forcing them to operate nearer to
their reactive power limits. In order to meet this higher reactive power
demand, the generator excitation voltages are kept higher increasing the
possibility of higher dynamic over voltage under sudden load rejection. The
possibility of a voltage collapse also increases in the grid due to sudden loss
of a line with permanently connected reactors in the grid.
Recent blackouts reported in the WREB have drawn the attention of the
power system community in the country. One important inference from these
events was that the grid was short of reactive power support and with
increased load conditions have led to considerable low voltages. The low
voltage trips have virtually split up the grid into two parts. One with more
generation and light loads, and another with weak generation and heavy
loads. The subsequent trips occurred due to low/over voltages and resulted in
total system blackout. Prior to the blackout the grid was experiencing poor
voltages due to increased agriculture loads. Voltages prevailing before the
blackout in some parts of the western grid are shown below.
Station
Indore
Nagda
Satpura
Dhule
Asoj

Voltage(kV)
321
325
367
380
370

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

Station
Itarsi
Bina
Bhopal
Parli
Kalwa

Voltage(kV)
371
367
355
379
395

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

The recent three blackouts on 6/10/03, 5/11/03 and 7/11/03 were due to low
voltage problem prevailing in the region. The poor voltage profile continues
to prevail causing serious insecurity in the grid. The capacitors already
installed are quite inadequate and that the presently available capacitors have
not come to the rescue of improving the voltages to the desired level. Large
quantum of MVARs is drawn from the grid causing large depression in the
voltages, which is not at all conducive to healthy grid operation.
This situation clearly indicates lack of proper reactive power support, which
can be improved considerably by providing the same. Another important
observation is that the low voltage situation occurred while lines were
carrying power much lower than the natural capacity. The immediate
remedial suggestion could be to install capacitor banks or static var
compensation. Implementation of this suggestion calls for detailed system
analysis and large investments, which may take considerable amount of time
and effort. A significant issue, which has come for discussion during these
disturbances, is the role of shunt reactors in the 400kV system. It is
noteworthy that almost all the shunt reactors connected in the lines and buses
were in operation during the moments of crisis. Definitely, existence of these
reactors must have played a detrimental role leading to deterioration of
system voltages. There is a suggestion that shunt reactors are to be switched
off during such crises. But by permanently removing the shunt reactors, over
voltages may develop during light load conditions leading to grid
disturbance.
2.0 Role of Shunt Reactors and Proposed Application Criteria
During the early 70s when 400kV transmission was introduced, there were
some trials to use breaker controlled shunt reactors. Due to the inherent
problems involved in reactor switching and also due to lack of suitable
breakers it was decided to use permanently connected shunt reactors for line
compensation. In the initial days of 400kV grid, as the lines were lightly
loaded, the 60% permanent compensation of line charging capacity was not
imposing any limitations.
The 400kV network has become the main constituent in the national grid
today. The dependency on 400kV grid for transmission of power to load
centers from the remote generating centers has increased. In this context,
maintenance of healthy voltages, maximum power transfer capacity,
increased voltage stability margin and reduced line losses in the 400kV grid
assumes maximum importance. With the backdrop of recent black outs it is

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

necessary to redefine the guidelines for the use of shunt reactors for line and
bus applications.
1.A shunt reactor connected at either ends of the line (line reactor) should not
remain connected on permanent basis. The line reactor should be in circuit
during line energization, during light load conditions and when the line
voltage is above the permissible limit.
2.The line reactor should get disconnected as the loading of the line increases
or when the steady state line voltage decreases below the permissible limit.
3.The line reactor should be able to protect the line and associated equipment
from possible over voltages that may occur due to sudden load throw off
conditions.
4.A line reactor should facilitate successful auto reclosure during single line
to ground fault conditions.
Under the present conditions of the Indian grid, Controlled Shunt Reactor
(CSR) will be an ideal choice of equipment. CSR will provide the necessary
reactive power support to the lines during line energization and during
sudden load rejection. During full load and reduced voltage conditions CSR
cuts itself out of circuit. In simple words CSR is a switchable reactive load
which will come into the circuit only when it is required thus eliminating the
unnecessary permanent burden on the grid.
3.0 Principle and Implementation
The principle behind the CSR is to control the reactive current of the shunt
reactor by using a thyristor valve, which can provide the necessary speed of
switching and control by means of firing angle control. It is not practical to
use a thyristor valve at transmission voltage levels and the concept of a
reactor transformer with primary winding connected to high voltage side and
a secondary (control) winding suitable for connection of a thyristor valve
forms the basis for CSR. In other words, CSR is a high impedance
transformer controlled by an anti parallel pair of thyristors (valve) on the
secondary side at a suitable voltage level. The impedance of CSR can be
controlled by varying the firing angle of the pair through a Controller.
CSR can be controlled to vary reactive power consumption anywhere
between zero to its full capacity by varying the firing angle of the thyristors.

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

A smooth control of reactive power consumption is thus achieved. This

operating mode is referred to as Continuous mode. The CSR can be mad
On/Off type when thyristors operate at only two firing angles
corresponding to full and zero conduction.
The general arrangement of CSR scheme for a 400 kV transmission system is
as shown in Fig.1. The reactor transformer primary is connected to high
voltage through an isolator and the secondary or control winding is
connected across the thyristor valves. The controller which is a logical and
programmable device, generates firing pulses based on the input signals. The
bypass circuit comprising a breaker and a choke is provided to bypass the
thyristor circuit under various conditions. When this circuit is closed, CSR
acts as a fixed reactor irrespective of the thyristor firing status. The bypass
circuit ensures the availability of the reactor in case of thyristor valve
breakdown or during its maintenance. The presence of a small choke allows
smooth online changeover of current from bypass circuit to thyristor valves.
Isolators in the bypass and thyristor circuits are provided to take care of
maintenance requirements.
The tertiary winding is in delta, which takes care of the triplen harmonics.
For other harmonics, which are generated at various firing angles during
continuous control of reactive power, harmonic filters can be connected in
the tertiary winding. The MVAR requirement of these filters is very small
and is to the tune of 5% of the CSR capacity.

400kV line

Reactor
transformer

Thyristors

Fig1. 400kV CSR schematic diagram

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

4.0 Site Trials and Performance of CSR

The 420 kV, 50 MVAR CSR, the first of its kind in India, has been
commissioned in September 2001 at 400 kV Itarsi substation of PGCIL,
located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The CSR was installed in the place
of an existing fixed shunt reactor of the same capacity. The location is the
Itarsi end of a 238 km line from Jabalpur to Itarsi. It is primarily placed as a
line reactor but can also be used as a bus reactor when the line is
disconnected. Itarsi site was chosen as it had parallel redundant circuits to
allow installation in an existing system without effecting the operation. A
suitable layout was prepared to fit in all the components of CSR in the
existing area available for the conventional shunt reactor. Thyristor valves
were housed in a small room. The existing protection scheme of the shunt
reactor was retained and additional protection relays were provided for the
new equipment.
Controller can be chosen to operate in ON/OFF or CONTINUOUS mode
through a selector switch. In case of ON/OFF mode the controller decides
the firing mode of thyristors on the basis of bus voltage. The CSR is made to
conduct if the bus voltage goes above set level and stops conducting if the
bus voltage goes below the lower voltage level. These levels can be modified
by the operator on line. The response time of the controller is less than 10
ms. In case of CONTINUOUS mode the controller measures the line load
current, calculates the required reactive compensating current and generates
the appropriate firing pulses.
A dedicated transient fault recorder is also installed with the CSR to monitor
all the parameters related to the scheme and to capture its response during
various system conditions. Following were some important observations
during the installation and testing of the CSR at Itarsi:
a) The line energization with CSR instead of a fixed reactor does not have
any problems. With by pass scheme, the presence of CSR is ensured right
from the first cycle.
b) The change-over from bypass circuit to thyristor circuit and vice versa is
smooth and bumpless.
c) When CSR is not drawing any reactive power the line voltage improves by
1kV at Itarsi bus and the power transfer in the corresponding line increases
by 20 MW. The change may look small but it may be noted that the CSR is

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

installed at only one end of the line and that Itarsi bus has a very high short
circuit level, where only one reactor is converted into CSR out of a total of
eleven.
d) CSR has operated in AUTO mode with ON/OFF control successfully
responding to the voltage variations.
e) A single line to ground fault (SLG) was simulated by momentarily
removing feedback of one of the phase voltages to the controller. The CSR
came into full conduction within the planned response time.
f) Continuous control mode was also tested with manually changing the
firing angle from full conduction to zero conduction. The reactive power at
each of the firing angles was noted. It was found to be varying smoothly with
the firing angle from full MVAR to zero.
g) CSR is functioning without any operational problems. It does not require
any operator intervention during normal operation and comes in and goes out
of circuit at the set limits automatically.
CSR provides reactive power support depending on the bus/line voltage
levels. At Itarsi an upper voltage limit (UVL) of 415 kV and a lower voltage
limit (LVL) of 400kV were set. Depending on the voltage condition CSR will
be operating. The ON and OFF times are continuously logged. Fig.2 depicts
the operation pattern of CSR in the year 2002-03. The graph shows percentage
time for which CSR has been providing the 50 MVAR reactive power support
based on the prevailing voltage condition. On the contrary, a fixed shunt
reactor will be continuously in circuit resulting in drop in voltage as well as
higher equipment and line losses. CSR was in circuit for an average period of
10.85% of time during a year.

n,
03
Ja

ov
,0

2
Se
p,
0

ly
,0
2
Ju

,0
ay
M

ar

ch

,0
2

40
30
20
10
0

TIME

IN CIRCUIT % OPERATING

C S R O P E R A T IO N 2 0 0 2 -0 3

M O NT H & YEAR

Fig.2 Operation pattern of CSR in the year 2002-03

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

5.0 Economic Benefits

Utilization of CSR in place of a fixed shunt reactor will lead to economic
benefits in addition to quality improvement in voltage profile. The benefits
may vary quantitatively depending on the location and grid conditions. In
Indian conditions, where the loads are on the rise and the reactive power
compensation is almost nil, the utilization of CSR will have a considerable
impact. Installation of a 50 MVAR CSR at a loaded line end will amount to
the releasing of a 50 MVAR capacitive reactive power to the system.
5.1 Savings from the equipment self losses
A permanently connected fixed reactor will result in losses on a continuous
basis. Even though CSR can have self-losses of four times to that of a fixed
reactor, it will not be in circuit continuously. Under present conditions, where
the 400 kV lines are carrying power from generating to distant load centers,
lightly loaded or no load condition is very rare. From the recorded data at
Itarsi it was observed that CSR on an average was in circuit for less than 3
hours in a day and the self-losses of both fixed shunt reactor and CSR are
almost the same. However, in view of the high self-losses, it is necessary to
consider fully loaded lines to derive maximum benefit from the point of view
of equipment losses. A decision regarding CSR installation shall be on the
basis of savings in line losses (4.2) and revenue from increased power transfer
capacity (4.3), which are more prominent.
5.2 Savings in Line Losses
As CSR cuts out of circuit, there will be reduction in the reactive component
of the current in the line. This in turn reduces the magnitude of RMS current
of the line. As the line losses vary in proportion to the square of the current,
the reduction will be substantial on an annual basis. The magnitude of savings
will also increase proportionally with the line length. Another important factor
will be the operating power factor. At power factors poorer than 0.90, the
effect on the savings in line losses will be quite high. For example, a line of
length 300 km delivering a load of 400MVA at a power factor of 0.9 will see
a saving of 4.25 million units annually if one 50 MVAR shunt reactor is
replaced with a CSR. This line when delivering the same 400MVA at a better
power factor of say 0.95 will see a saving of 2.84 million units annually if one
50 MVAR shunt reactor is replaced with a CSR.

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

5.3 Revenue due to Additional Power Flow

When the lines are fully loaded the effect of removing a fixed shunt reactor
will facilitate the line to carry additional power. When CSR comes out of
circuit, the line will be able to carry additional power under peak demand.
This will also be more pronounced when operating power factors are below
0.9. Removal of 50 MVAR reactive load will increase the power transfer
capacity by 20 MW and will be more at poorer power factors. This benefit can
be quantified into substantial earnings by awarding free wheeling charges for
the additional power transferred.
The technical superiority of CSR is well proven with the satisfactory
operation at Itarsi. While considering it in place of a normal shunt reactor, it is
natural to compare CSR with the former. CSR deployment benefits the grid
immensely but the additional investment in comparison with a normal shunt
reactor generates a debate over the techno-economic viability of CSR. To
quantify the economic benefits offered by CSR it is necessary to consider a
400 kV interconnected system and to study the exact nature of power flows. A
detailed simulation study on a typical 400KV interconnected system was
carried out using MATLAB/PSAT package. The load flow analysis and
continuation power flow using perpendicular intersection technique is done to
identify the voltage collapse point and the maximum loadability on the
system. As the load flow is a steady state analysis, the system with CSR can
be simplified and studied as a system with shunt reactor and without shunt
reactor.
6.0 A Case Study
A 10 bus 400kV interconnected network is considered. The line diagram and
system data is given below. The generation, loading, bus voltages and line
flows are in line with the conditions of 400kV Indian grid. The existing
method of compensation up to 60% of the line charging capacity is followed
to determine the number and rating of shunt reactors. No additional
compensation devices like shunt capacitors or SVC are employed.
The 400kV transmission line parameters:
Resistance, ohm/km = 0.0277.
Inductance, H/km = 1.219e-3.
Capacitance, F/km = 1.08e-8.

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

Fig. 3. 10 bus 400kV Interconnected System

A detailed load flow analysis is done on the above system. As load flow study
is steady state analysis, CSR is represented as a fixed shunt reactor.
Two cases considered for simulation:

System with shunt reactors.

System with out shunt reactors.

However, CSR remains in the system to compensate during line energization

and light load scenario and gets disconnected when the system is heavily
loaded based on the line voltage. CSR can come into full conduction within
10ms in case of sudden load throw off conditions.
6.1 Improved Voltage Profiles at Load Buses
The following table gives the bus voltages of the system with and without
shunt reactors

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

TABLE I
VOLTAGE PROFILES AT
Load Bus

Bus C
Bus E
Bus F
Bus G
Bus H
Bus I

Voltage(kV)W
ith all the
reactors in
circuit
405.85
352.80
361.62
336.00
347.76
375.00

DIFFERENT

LOAD BUSES

Voltage(kV)Wit
h all the
reactors
removed
409.00
376.70
378.00
359.00
365.40
386.00

Voltage(kV)
With reactors
removed at
strategic
locations
406.00
361.00
367.90
344.40
355.70
377.60

In the above case at Bus G for example, the voltages have improved from
336kV to 344.4kV which is about 8.4kV increased voltage, with and without
reactors at strategic locations respectively.
6.2 Increased Loadability of Lines
PV curves of different load buses are obtained using continuation power flow
method for the voltage stability analysis. These curves are used to determine
the maximum loading point (MLP), the maximum power transfer among
system areas, the voltage stability indices, and to compare planning strategies.

Fig. 4. PV curves at all load Buses with all the reactors in the circuit

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

10

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

Fig. 5. PV curves at all load Buses with all the reactors removed.

L
O
A
D
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
V, pu

POWER AT LOAD BUSES, P p u

Fig. 6. PV curves at all load Buses with reactors removed at strategic locations.
In figure 4, PV curves at all the load buses are generated with all the reactors
remaining permanently connected in the circuit. It is evident that the maximum
loading of the system in this case is 1.087 pu. Removal of reactors at some
strategic locations increases maximum loading to 1.142 pu as shown in figure 5.
The maximum loading point further improves to 1.2537 pu with all the
permanently connected reactors removed as shown in figure 6. However,
keeping in view the dynamic voltages that may arise due to sudden load throwoff or line outages, utilization of CSR is recommended as a replacement for
permanently connected shunt reactors.

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

11

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

6.3 Improved Voltage Stability Index

The voltage stability index determines how far is the bus from its voltage
stability limit. The voltage stability index is the ratio of the differential change
in active load for the whole system to the differential change in the voltage, dPTOTAL/dVj. This index will be high when the weakest bus is far from
instability but zero when the weakest bus experiences voltage collapse.
(Negative sign is used so that the index will be positive before the critical
point is encountered and negative afterwards.)
The voltage stability index of two weakest load buses G and H under different
conditions is tabulated below .The weakest bus is the one that is nearest to
experiencing voltage collapse.
TABLE II
VOLTAGE STABILITY INDICES OF LOAD BUSES G AND H

Load
Buses
Bus G
Bus H

Voltage
stability
index with
all the
reactors in
circuit
15.8
18.6

Voltage
stability
index with
all the
reactors
removed
16.8
19.6

Voltage
stability index
with reactors
removed at
strategic
locations
16.2
19.0

The voltage stability indices of Bus G and Bus H have increased with the
removal of reactors which indicate that the bus has moved away from the
voltage instability or voltage collapse.
The Fig.7. below shows the PV curves under different conditions at Bus G. The
curves clearly illustrate the improvement in the voltage stability margin.
6.4 Reduced Transmission Losses
In the above study, transmission loss analysis is done which shows that the
transmission losses of the system with all the reactors remaining permanently
connected is reduced from 0.0937 pu (93.7MW) to 0.08277pu (82.77MW) with
all the reactors removed from the system. Similarly, the transmission losses are
reduced from 0.0937pu (93.7MW) to 0.08933 pu (89.33 MW) removing 4
http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

12

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

reactors at strategic locations. The reduction in losses with removal of reactors

benefits the system economically.

Fig. 7. PV curves at load Bus G under different conditions

6.5 Economic Benefits of CSR
The above analysis and estimation of reduced losses prove that the utilization of
CSR is very much beneficial to the power system. The additional investment on
CSR compared to a fixed reactor can be justified by the revenue accrued in
terms of savings in line losses alone. From the loss estimates derived from the
load flow, a simple pay back calculation for the additional investment on CSR is
given below.
6.5.1 Replacing all the 17 reactors in the system with CSR
Transmission losses :
With shunt reactors (CSR ON) = 93.7MW.
Without reactors (CSR OFF) = 82.77MW.
Savings in losses :
Losses reduced by 10.93MW.
(Assuming CSR to be OFF on an average for 20 hrs per day.)
Savings per annum = Reduced loss x No. of hours x 365 x Rs/ kWH
= (10.93MW x 20 x 365) kWH x Rs.3.0 / kWH
= 79789000 kWH x Rs.3.0 /kWH
= Rs. 23.936 Crores
With an average cost of CSR* Rs.4.0 Crores, The total investment amounts to
Rs.68 crores.

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

13

International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, Vol. 2 [2005], Iss. 1, Art. 1038

Interest and depreciation on the investment @15% amounts to Rs.10.20

Crores.
Net earnings per annum : 23.936 10.20 = 13.736 Crores
Payback period = 68/13.736 = 4.95 years.
(* - cost of a 50MVAR CSR with thyristor ON-OFF control)
6.5.2 Replacing only 4 reactors at strategic locations with CSR
Transmission losses :
With shunt reactors (CSR ON) = 93.7 MW.
With out reactors (CSR OFF) = 89.33 MW.
Savings in losses :
Losses reduced by 4.37 MW.
(Assuming CSR to be OFF on an average for 20 hrs per day )
Savings per annum = Reduced loss x No. of hours x 365 x Rs/ kWH
= (4.37MW x 20 x 365) kWH x Rs.3.0 / kWH
= 31901000 kWH. x Rs.3.0 / kWH
= Rs. 9.570 Crores
With an average cost of CSR Rs.4.0 Crores,
The total investment amounts to Rs.16 crores.
Interest and depreciation on the investment @15% amounts to Rs.2.4 Crores.
Net earnings per annum : 9.57 2.4 = 7.17 Crores
Payback period = 16/7.17 = 2.23 years.
It may be noted that the above payback calculation is done without taking into
calculation the benefit of additional power transfer and savings in equipment
self losses. It is also note worthy that investment on CSR will be generating
revenue in terms of savings in losses whereas investment on a permanently
connected shunt reactor is a liability for ever.
7.0 Conclusions
Utilization of CSR in place of fixed reactor enhances the voltage stability
margin, loadability, voltage conditions and decreases transmission losses. From
the pay back calculations it can be concluded that the application of CSR must
be given a serious consideration for not only the new installations but also for
replacing the existing permanently connected shunt reactors. Although, the
calculation justifies replacement of all the shunt reactors with CSRs,
replacement of the same at least at some strategically identified locations is to
be immediately taken up to improve the existing situation in the 400kV
network. Future SVC requirements do not obviate the decision to install CSR.

http://www.bepress.com/ijeeps/vol2/iss1/art1038

14

SISHTLA and M: Utilization of Controlled Shunt Reactor in a 400KV Interconnected

Authors
S. V .N ..Jithin Sundar is a Deputy General Manager with Corporate Research
& Development Divn Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Vikas nagar,
Hyderabad, India (e-mail: jithin@bhelrnd.co.in).
M. Reshmi. is a post graduate student of power engineering, JNTU presently
under training at Corp.R&D, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Vikas nagar,
Hyderabad, India (e-mail: reshmimehboob@yahoo.co.in).
References
[1] V. Ajjarapu, C. Christy, "The Continuation Power Flow: A tool for Steady
State voltage stability," IEEE Trans. Power Systems, vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 416423, February 1992.
[2] G. N. Alexandro, V. P. Lunin, Y. G. Selesney, L. N. Shifrin, S. V. N.
Jithin Sundar, S. C. Bhageria, C. D. Khoday , Amitabh Singhal, Fast-Acting
Controlled Shunt Reactor. Vii SEPOPE, MAY, 2003, Curitiba, Brazil.
[3] S. V. N. Jithin Sundar, S. C. Bhageria, C. D. Khoday , Amitabh Singhal ,
A. K. Tripathy, G. N. Alexandrov, M. M. Goswami, I. S. Jha, Subir Sen, V. K.
Prasher Controlled Shunt Reactor-A member of FACTS family Eleventh
National Power system Conference.(NPSC-2000), Bangalore. India.
[4] S. V. N. Jithin Sundar, S. C. Bhageria, C. D. Khoday, Dr. M.
Arunachalam, Amitabh Singhal, M. I. Khan, A. R. C. Rao, J. S. Kuntia, G. N.
Alexandrov, M. M. Goswami, M. Arunachalam, Design, Testing and
Commissioning of First 420kV, 50 MVAR Controlled Shunt Reactor in India,
14-120,CIGRE 2002, Paris.
[5] D. A. Alves, L. C. P. Da Silva, C. A. Castro,V. F. Da Costa, Study of
Alternative Schemes for the Parameterization step of the Continuation Power
Flow Method Based on Physical Parameters-part I:Mathematical Modelling,
Electric Power Components and Systems, vol. 31, no. 12, pp. 1151-1166,
December 2003.
[6] Report on Grid disturbances in Western region WRLDC, December
2003.

Published by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2005

15