Villanova

University ECE 5815

Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

S P jQ
∗
V V
S V
j X
∗ ∗
V V V ∗ ∗
S V j V V
j X X
∗
V V V
S j j
X X
V V V
S j j cos δ δ j sin δ δ
X X
V V V V V
S sin δ δ j cos δ δ
X X X
 Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

Equating real and imaginary parts,

V V
P sin δ δ
X
V V V
Q cos δ δ
X X
Likewise,
V V
P sin δ δ
X
V V V
Q cos δ δ
X X
 Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

Complex power loss of the line, S P jQ , can be found by applying

the conservation of complex power theorem; namely, S S S or
P P P
V V V V
P sin δ δ sin δ δ 0
X X
Q Q Q
V V V V V V
Q cos δ δ cos δ δ
X X X X
The first result is consistent with negligible line resistance, and the second
result gives the reactive power contribution from each end of the line to
the total reactive power loss of the line. An important special case:

 If then each end of the line contributes equally to the

total reactive power loss of the line. [1]
 Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

If the phase angle separation between buses k and m is sufficiently small,
such that sin δ δ ≅ δ δ and cos δ δ ≅ 1,
V V
P ≅ δ δ
X
V V V V
Q ≅ V V
X X X
Likewise,
V V
P ≅ δ δ
X
V V V V
Q ≅ V V
X X X
These approximate relations permit us to conclude:
 Real power flows in a direction from the bus with larger phase
angle to the bus with smaller phase angle; in other words, "Real
power flows downhill to a more lagging phase angle." [1][2]
 Reactive power flows in a direction from the bus with higher
voltage magnitude to the bus with lower voltage magnitude; in
other words, "Vars flow downhill from a higher per unit value of
voltage to a lower per unit value of voltage." [1][2]
'In practice, the maximum difference in phase angle across the line is about
0.52 radian 30 while the maximum difference in voltage magnitude is
1.05 0.95 per‐unit 0.10 per‐unit.' [2] Applying these maximum
differences to the above approximate relations permits us to conclude:
 Real power flow over a line tends to be significantly larger in per‐
unit value than reactive power flow over the line; in other words,
"Vars don't travel well" over a line.' [2][3]
 Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

The numerical results of the examples below were calculated using

the exact power flow relations and illustrate the preceding concepts.
 Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Short Transmission Line with Negligible Resistance

Example [4, Example 3‐9]: A three‐phase short transmission line with
negligible resistance has line reactance of 80 ohms per phase. If 100 MW
(total three‐phase) real power flows in the line from bus k to bus m and both
ends of the line have the same line voltage magnitude of 138 kV, find
δ δ δ and the reactive power flow at both ends of line.
100 138⁄ 3
sin δ ⇒ δ 24.84
3 80
The reactive power flow at each end of the line is

138⁄ 3 138⁄ 3
Q cos 24.84 7.34 Mvars per phase
80 80
138⁄ 3 138⁄ 3
Q cos 24.84 7.34 Mvars per phase
80 80
Thus, 7.34 Mvars per phase or 22.02 Mvars total three‐phase reactive
power flows into the line at both ends, implying that 44.04 Mvars total
three‐phase reactive power is consumed by the line reactance.
Example [4, Example 3‐10]: Let us compare the static transmission
capacity of the following two short lines, both having a length of 100 miles.
Line A: Designed for nominal voltage of 140 kV and consisting of one
conductor per phase with equivalent reactance of 0.8 ohm / mile.
140⁄ 3
P 81.7 MW per phase
80
Line B: Designed for nominal voltage of 765 kV and consisting of four
bundled conductors per phase with equivalent reactance of 0.55 ohm / mile.
765⁄ 3
P 3546.8 MW per phase
55
Thus, 765 kV line can handle same power as 43 lines rated at 140 kV.
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Radial Line with Negligible Resistance

[5, Sec. 2.7][6, Sec. 4.9.2]

V V
P P P sin δ δ 1
X

V V V
Q P tan φ Q cos δ δ
X X
or
V V V
P tan φ cos δ δ 2
X X
since cos δ δ cos δ δ . Squaring both sides of (2), replacing
cos δ δ 1 sin δ δ , and substituting sin δ δ from
(1) yields:

V V V
P tan φ P 3
X X

Rearranging (3) and solving for V with the quadratic formula results in

V V
V P X tan φ PX PX V tan φ 4
2 4
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Radial Line with Negligible Resistance

[5, Sec. 2.7][6, Sec. 4.9.2]

 We see beneficial effects of leading power factor load on line

maximum capability and load voltage regulation [5, Example 2.15].
 Locally supplying the reactive demand is easier than supplying it
over the line from a remote bus [5, Example 2.15].
 Multiple solutions theoretically possible, but the one achieved in
practice has a voltage magnitude close to 1.0 per‐unit [5, Sec. 6.2].
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Radial Line with Negligible Resistance

[5, Sec. 2.7][6, Sec. 4.9.2]
Example [6, Example 4.9]:
(a) Referring to the figure below, a three‐phase short line with 33 kV line
voltage at both ends supplies 10 MW per phase to the load. If the line
reactance is 20Ω per phase, find δ and Q to maintain 33 kV load voltage.

33⁄ 3 33⁄ 3
P MW 18.15 MW
20
10
0 δ sin 33.43
18.15
.
33⁄ 3 33⁄ 3 33⁄ 3
Q cos 33.43 0 Mvars/phase
20 20
Q 3.0 Mvars/phase
Q Q 0 → . /
(b) If Q ≡ 0, find the maximum P that can be delivered by the line and
the V and δ at the receiving end. Since P P P and Q 0,

V V
P sin δ δ
X
V V V
0 cos δ δ
X X
Combining equations by utilizing the identity sin ∎ cos ∎ 1,
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Radial Line with Negligible Resistance

[5, Sec. 2.7][6, Sec. 4.9.2]

V V V
P
X X
V V V X P 0
To simplify notation, let ν V .
33
ν ν 400P 0,
3
Utilizing the quadratic formula to solve the equation,

33⁄ 3 33⁄ 3 4 400 P

ν
2
The feasible solution for V corresponds to a real solution of ν, and
maximum P achieved when discriminate of quadratic formula zero.
33⁄ 3 4 400 P 0

. (per‐phase)
Thus, with the discriminate of the quadratic formula equal to zero,
33⁄ 3
ν
2
. (phase‐to‐neutral)

Finally,
9.075 20
0 δ sin 45
33⁄ 3 13.472

Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow in Radial Line with Negligible Resistance

[5, Sec. 2.7][6, Sec. 4.9.2]
Example [4, Example 7‐3]: Referring to figure below, find S P jQ
and V V ∠δ .

1 10 V sin δ 0
1 10 V 10 V cos δ 0
We can combine these equations by utilizing the
trigonometric identity sin ∎ cos ∎ 1.

1 1 10 V 100 V

100 V 80 V 2 0
80 80 4 100 2
V
2 100
≅ .
1
δ 0 sin ≅ 6.5
10 0.88
≅ .

.
≅ . ≅ .
. .
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Power Flow Analysis

 Tool to analyze given power flow configuration.

 Check power balance between sources, loads, and losses.
 Check thermal or static transmission capacity limits of lines.
 Check reactive power scheduling to support predefined
voltage levels at designated buses.
 Check contractual power interchange of tie lines.

The Power Flow Problem

1. Formulate suitable mathematical network model.

2. Specify power and voltage constraints at buses of network.
3. Solve power flow equations subject to above constraints.
4. Calculate actual power flows of lines with solved bus voltages.
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Bus Admittance Matrix Formulation of Nodal Equations

I Y V

I Y V for k 1, 2, 3, ⋯ , n

where

Y y

Y Y y

Y y y y
Y y y y
Y y y y
Y Y y
Y Y y
Y Y y

I Y V Y V Y V
I Y V Y V Y V
0 Y V Y V Y V
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

General Power Flow Equations in Polar Form

In general, net injected complex power to bus k, S , involves
injected (ingoing to bus k) generator complex power, S , and
tapped (outgoing from bus k) load complex power, S .

S P jQ P P j Q Q
∗
S P jQ
I ∗ ∗ for k 1,2, ⋯ , n
V V
P jQ
∗ Y V Y V ⋯ Y V for k 1,2, ⋯ , n
V

∗
P jQ Y V V for k 1,2, ⋯ , n

P jQ V e Y e V e for k 1,2, ⋯ , n

Equating real and imaginary parts,

P V Y V cos θ δ δ for k 1,2, ⋯ , n

Q V Y V sin θ δ δ for k 1,2, ⋯ , n

Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Categorization of Buses
P‐Q Load Buses
specified: P P and Q Q
unknown: V and δ

P‐V Voltage‐controlled Generator Buses

specified: P P P and V
unknown: δ and Q
other: Q known and, if specified, generator reactive power
limits Q Q Q must be satisfied during
iterative computational process.

Slack or Swing Generator Bus

specified: V and δ
unknown: P and Q
other: P and Q post‐processed from solution of bus
voltages. Bus type necessary since losses not known a priori.
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Calculations of Power Flows and Losses

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
S P jQ V V V y ∗ V V V Y
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
S P jQ V V V y ∗ V V V Y
S S S

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
S P jQ V y V V V y
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
S P jQ V y V V V y
S S S
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles
Example [4, Probs. 7‐6 and 7‐7]: Consider the simple three‐bus power
system below. The lines are identical, each represented by a series
impedance of j0.1 pu, buses 2 and 3 are load buses, each drawing a load of
1.0 + j0 pu, and bus 1 is the slack bus with specified voltage 1.0∠0 pu.
Write the power flow equations and identify the unknowns.

1
Y Y ∠θ pu 10 ∠90 pu for k m
j0.1
1 1
Y Y ∠θ pu 20 ∠ 90 pu
j0.1 j0.1
Knowns:
V 1.0∠0 pu
P P P 1.0 1.0 pu 2.0 pu negligible network resistances
S 1.0 j0 pu
S 1.0 j0 pu
Unknowns:
V and δ
V and δ
Power Flow Equations:
1 pu 10 V sin δ 0 10 V V sin δ δ pu
0 10 V cos δ 0 20 V 10 V V cos δ δ pu
1 pu 10 V sin δ 0 10 V V sin δ δ pu
0 10 V cos δ 0 10 V V cos δ δ 20 V pu
Post‐processed from Solution:
Q 10 V cos δ 0 20 10 V cos δ 0 pu
Villanova University ECE 5815
Electrical & Computer Engineering Dr. Frank J. Mercede, P.E.
Power Flow Analysis: First Principles

Homework
Problem 1 ‐ Reconsider example on Slide 11 of this document.
(a) How many megawatts can be transmitted if V cannot drop
below 0.9 pu and load power factor is unity? Let V = 1.0 pu.
(b) Repeat part (a) but with load power factor of 0.8 lagging.
(c) Repeat part (a) but with load power factor of 0.8 leading.
Problem 2 ‐ Consider the system below.
(a) Find the larger of two possible values of V V ∠δ .
(b) Calculate reactive power loss of line under result of part (a).

Problem 3 ‐ Consider system below.

(a) Pick Q such that V 1.0 pu. What is δ for this case?
(b) Can P be supplied if Q 0? If yes, what is V V ∠δ ?
 References
[1] PJM State & Member Training Department, PJM Training Resources,
"Basics of electricity ‐ power flow on ac transmission lines, 2014,
https://www.pjm.com/‐/media/training/nerc‐certifications/trans‐
exam‐materials/bet/bet‐lesson5‐power‐flow‐on‐ac‐transmission‐
lines.ashx
[2] James McCalley, "The dc power flow equations," EE 553: Steady‐state
Analysis (Fall 2012) Course Home Page, Iowa State University,
http://home.eng.iastate.edu/~jdm/ee553/DCPowerFlowEquations.pdf
[3] PJM State & Member Training Department, Interconnection Training
Program, "Transmission system operations TO1," 2014,
https://www.pjm.com/~/media/training/nerc‐certifications/TO1‐
transmissionops.ashx
[4] Olle I. Elgerd, Electric Energy Systems Theory ‐ An Introduction,
second edition, McGraw‐Hill, New York, 1982, ISBN:0‐07‐019230‐8.
[5] Arthur R. Bergen, Power System Analysis, first edition, Prentice‐Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1986, ISBN: 0‐13‐687864‐4.
[6] T.K. Nagsarkar and M.S. Sukhija, Power System Analysis, Oxford
University Press, first edition, ninth impression, 2007, Chap. 7: Power
Flow Studies, ISBN‐13: 978‐0‐19‐568451‐3 / ISBN‐10: 0‐19‐568451‐6.