Improving the voltage stability in Transmission Lines

Widana Gamage Isura Udayanga

Abstract

This paper discusses current trends in power networks related to the use of power electronic
devices and how they are replacing traditional techniques for improving power network
performance. Learn how Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) play a role in voltage
stability, reactive power compensation, and how FACTS controllers improve power system
effectiveness. The importance of static variable compensators (SVCs) and static synchronous
compensators (STATCOMs) in enhancing voltage and power stability in power networks is the
main topic of discussion. Finally, I will compare these FACTS controllers.

Key Words— FACTS, Power System Stability, Voltage Stability, Power Networks

Introduction

Electricity transmission and distribution network issues have long been a major problem. Power
distribution and transmission systems are currently dealing with major power quality challenges
as a result of unplanned network expansion and the installation of various types of loads. These
power quality problems include harmonics, a heavy reliance on reactive power, unbalanced loads,
voltage instability, and others [1].

One of the most pressing issues that is getting worse every day is voltage instability. The main
cause of voltage instability issues is the rise in load demand and the power system's inability to
meet that demand for reactive power. Technical improvements have been made and are constantly
being made to solve these issues. These developments in power electronics are crucial because of
their high performance and quick responses, which enable high-end power and voltage stability as
well as other crucial advantages. FACTS controllers are essentially power electronic devices that
increase the power system network's capacity for transmitting and transporting electricity. These
devices respond relatively quickly, which makes them ideal for issues with dynamic load changes.

Voltage collapse, which happens when a system is overwhelmed and is undesirable in power
systems, the system could lose all power as a result of this collapse. When the power system is
unable to produce the necessary reactive power, an overloaded state results. The importance of

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FACTS devices is greatest here. By injecting or absorbing the reactive power required by the load,
the proper placement of FACTS controllers can eliminate the issue of voltage instability. The
transmitting capacity of the transmission lines is significantly impacted by FACTS controllers. For
enhanced power quality and voltage stability, they are also utilized in power distribution networks
[2].

There are many FACTS controllers, such as the static VAR compensator (SVC), the thyristor
controlled series capacitor (TCSC), the static synchronized series compensator (SSSC) Static
Synchronous Compensator (SSC) and the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) (STATCOM)

All of these are explored in this paper, although SVC and STATCOM are the key topics. The flow
of reactive power and STATCOM's operation are discussed. The importance of the Voltage Source
Converter (VSC), a crucial component of STATCOM, and the flexibility it provides for reactive
power adjustment are underlined.

Basic Concepts

a) Power flow compensation

There are power sources and loads in power networks, as is common knowledge. It is clear that
the voltages at the sending end and receiving end of a transmission line, which has a source (the
sending end) and a load (the receiving end), differ both in magnitude and in phase. This is the
opposite of what we want to happen; we want the voltage to stay at the intended or rated level.
This discrepancy resulted from the line's inability to provide the load with the necessary power.
Currently, there are two control mechanisms that can be used to maintain the system voltage
stability and at rated value.

 Compensation system.
 Compensation load.

In order to account for the reactive power, load compensation inserts a parallel capacitive load.
Owing to this, the line's need for current diminishes, which also lowers line drops and improves
voltage, however it still falls short of the ideal level. As a result, it does not offer full compensation.

A reactive compensator is added to the system in the case of system compensation, eliminating
voltage variations. This can be done by manually or automatically regulating the compensator's

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reactive power over a large range utilizing solid state electronics. According to the needs of the
line, these compensators can inject or absorb reactive power. The relationship can be used to
determine the power flow in a transmission line.

𝑃 = 𝑉𝑠𝑉𝑅 sin ð /𝑋

Where X is line impedance, ð is power angle, and Vs, VR, respectively, are sending and receiving
end voltages. [3] A system's active power always flows from the side of leading to lagging voltage.
The magnitude of the voltage affects the reactive power flow. From high voltage to low voltage,
it flows. We want to transmit as much power (P) as we can. This can be accomplished by lowering
the line impedance (X) or raising the power factor. As there are already extensive transmission
and distribution systems in place, it is neither simple nor practical to considerably lower line
impedance; instead, we are concentrating on boosting power factor.

b) Stability of the power system

The ability of a power system to maintain equilibrium under any circumstances is known as
stability [4]. It may also be characterized as the propensity of the system to rebound from
disruptions like faults or variations in load.[5]

Our system must be extremely stable. Because modern consumers are more informed, it is now
more crucial than ever for power firms to increase and maximize their output. They wouldn't put
up with any power supply disruptions, and they wouldn't take any voltage damage to their
equipment.

FACTS

Applications of power electronics include FACTS devices. The primary function of FACTS in
power systems is to improve controllability and power transfer capabilities. These are mostly solid
state devices called thyristor-based controllers that do not contain any mechanical components.
The right signals can be used to switch these gadgets on or off. Depending on the device, they have
varying switching behaviors. The power system networks' phase angle, voltage, and impedance
are all dynamically controlled by these FACTS controllers. These controllers benefit from features
like as rapid reaction, refined control, greater controllability, increased efficiency, and resistance

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to wear and tear. A few of them are very briefly explored below, with STATCOM being the main
focus.

a) Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC)

These FACTS devices are from the first generation. One type of series capacitor is one with a
thyristor. Through suppressing oscillations and managing dynamic power flow, of the FACTS
devices used within transmission lines to improve power quality. It basically entails connecting a
series of thyristors with opposing poles and a reactor parallel to the capacitance in the transmission
lines.

Problems with long-distance AC power distribution were mostly brought on by rising reactive
impedances. The issue is resolved by regulating the reactor's reactance, which results in increased
transmission efficiency.

A fixed-series compensation is offered on the parallel path by TCSC to increase a transmission

line's power capacity. Other benefits from this idea include dampening of power oscillations,
transient stability, and voltage stability. We can apply this concept further for dynamic power flow
because we have the ability to change the firing angle through a control system. These are the
formulas for the link between reactor reactance and firing angle [6][7][8].A simple TCSC single
line diagram shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: TCSC

b) Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC)

A series compensating device is the SSSC. The STATCOM principle, which is covered in more
detail later in the paper, shares similarities with its own. In SSSC, the VSC is linked to the ac line
in series rather than in shunt. It is a synchronous voltage source that may provide a line in series
with a voltage of variable magnitude and phase. With a 90 degree phase shift, the voltage that is
injected into the transmission line is virtually in quadrature with the line current. By connecting a

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capacitive or inductive reactance in series with the transmission line, this quadrature voltage
creates the desired effect. [9] [10] A SSSC connected in series with a transmission line shown in
figure 2.

Figure 2: SSSC

c) Undefined power flow controller (UPFC)

The second generation of FACTS controllers includes UPFC. Of all the FACTS controllers, it is
the most adaptable and complex. Unlike other controllers, it has independent control over both
actual and reactive power. It has practically complete control over all aspects relating to power
stability. It can modify the phase angle between the connecting buses, bus voltage, and
transmission line reactance. The inphase, quadrature voltage, and shunt reactive power correction
are all controlled by a very powerful and intricate control mechanism. It is utilized to maintain the
power systems' dynamic, steady-state, and transient stability. Figure 3 shows UPFC.

If UPFC connected to a transmission line using two ac/dc converters, both of which share the same
dc link capacitor.

Shunt and series transformers are used to link one of the converters in parallel and the other in
series to the transmission line. A voltage with a controlled magnitude and phase is introduced by
the series converter. As it can interchange actual power with the line, the line's capacity for power
flow is increased, and its transient stability is increased. The transmission system receives current
with a controlled magnitude and power factor from the shunt converter. Its major goal is to balance

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the real power flow to and from the series converter while minimizing losses by maintaining the
desired dc bus voltage. [10] [11]

Figure 3: UPFC

d) Static VAR Compensator (SVC)

Another FACTS application utilized today in transmission systems to increase voltage stability is
SVC. Because to the sudden changes in load characteristics, big steel mills and electric arc furnaces
were the principal applications for SVC in its early years. SVCs are now mostly employed in
transmission lines at the generation and distribution levels to increase system dependability. Step-
down transformers are utilized in Extremely High Voltage Transmission Lines in conjunction with
SVC.

Capacitance, reactors, thyristor valves, and coupling transformers are the components. SVC does
all of this by using sophisticated power electronic components to regulate inductive and capacitive
shunt reactive power sources. By adjusting the thyristor elements' firing angle, it may both generate
and consume reactive power. Thyristors are used to turn on and off capacitors and inductors in a
circuit. SVC can provide reactive power correction in high voltage transmission networks,
enhancing the efficiency of electric services. The usage of thyristor devices like the GTO and
IGCT makes it dynamic. The quick reaction of SVC to voltage fluctuations gives it an edge over
mechanically switched compensating techniques. Other advantages include;

• Decreased voltage drop in places with heavy loads

• Reduced transmission losses

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• Better transient stability

SVC Controlling

One of SVC's control goals is to keep the high voltage bus' voltage at the desired level. SVC will
offer steady state voltage management to keep the voltage bus at a predetermined level. If the
voltage bus drops below a desired level, the SVC will inject reactive power (Qnet), raising the
voltage at the desired level. Reactive power will be absorbed by SVC as the bus voltage rises,
bringing the voltage to the appropriate level. Because the capacitance value is set, +Qcap is fixed
in Fig. 4. Hence, Qnet injected into the system can be controlled by adjusting the quantity of
reactive power.

I'll talk about the thyristor valve that manages the thyristor-controlled reactor immediately. We
can adjust the reactor's reactance by firing the thyristor at a specific firing angle current because it
commutates automatically on every zero current.

Full conduction is attained when the gating angle is 90 degrees. Partial conduction occurs when
gating angles are between 90 and 180 degrees. As the gating angle is raised, the fundamental
harmonic component of the current is lowered, which is the same as an increase in the inductance
of the inductor.

Figure 4: SVC

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The gating angle decreases as the inductance decreases, which has the consequence of decreasing
Qind and raising Qnet when the voltage bus falls below the required set point.SVC is hence
providing reactive power. If the bus' voltage rises, the controller will automatically increase the
gating angle, which will increase the inductance and raise Qind. Reactive power is currently being
absorbed by the SVC when Qnet direction changes as Qind rises over Qcap. [12]

e) Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM)

Voltage Source Converter (VSC)

A solid state device called a VSC (Voltage Source Converter) is used to create an AC output from
a DC input voltage source. In essence, this apparatus serves as an inverter (DC to AC converter).
For switching functions, a GTO (Gate Turn-Off Thyristor), IGCT (Integrated Gate-Commutated
Thyristor), or IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) is employed. To generate an alternating
signal on the output load, various sets of conducting GTOs, IGBTs, and IGCTs are used. Voltage
Source Converters are employed for a variety of tasks, including as voltage stabilization, reactive
power compensation, harmonic current elimination, and power quality enhancement. Voltage
Source Converter is more adaptable since it can provide an alternating output signal with the
necessary frequency, amplitude, and phase angle. [13] [14]

STATCOM

Solid state technology is used by STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator). It is made up of

three main parts. a set of step-down transformers, a switching converter (also known as a VSC or
voltage source converter), and a DC capacitor

Many factors can lead to voltage instability. Installing a compensator on the receiving end will fix
this issue. Synchronous Condensers were once employed as a solution to this issue. Mechanical
switching increased response time, which made it more difficult to quickly address the voltage
fluctuation issue.

Due to its quick switching and capacity to produce more reactive power when the supply voltage
falls too low, STATCOM can be helpful. The configuration of a synchronous compensator, both
current control mode and voltage control mode can be used to STATCOM. STATCOM is utilized
in voltage control mode in this situation. The Voltage Source Converter, as depicted in the picture,

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transforms the DC voltage input into a series of three-phase AC voltage outputs that are connected
to the three-phase AC system via a coupling transformer. It is best to maintain the same phase
angle between the AC source and the Voltage Source Converter's AC output. It is crucial to do this
to avoid active power flow. We shall use line to neutral voltages from terminals A and U in order
to better comprehend what is happening in this figure 5 circuit. Think about EAN and EUN.

 Current flow will be zero in the reactance y if EAN = EUN, hence there will be no
compensation.
 Current IA will flow if EAN > EUN and will lag 90 degrees behind EUN. As a result, the
compensator will pull reactive power from the transmission line. Despite the lack of coils,
the compensator now functions as an inductor.
 Current IA will lag EUN by 90 degrees if EAN > EUN. In this instance, the converter will be
supplying reactive power to the transmission line since the value of IB will be the same as
in the prior situation but it will be negative. Despite the absence of electrostatic plates, the
converter will now function as a capacitor.

Figure 5: STATCOM operation

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 f) Summery

In a two-area scenario, where the FACTS controllers are connected in series or shunt between the
transmitting and receiving ends of the power network, The Table-1 displays the performance of
various controllers. [15] [16]

Table 1- Fact controllers influence to the system

Load Flow Voltage Transient Dynamic

Control Control Stability Stability
influence influence influence influence
TCSC ** * *** **
SSSC *** * *** **
UPFC *** *** *** **
SVC * *** * **
STATCOM * *** ** **

The results of Table 1 show his. The issues that power networks encounter are best solved by
UPFC. When voltage stability is the main goal, SVC and STATCOM are the most appropriate.
When their performances are compared, it is clear that STATCOM outperforms SVC because it
offers more transient stability. SVC is unable to compensate even at low voltages, however
STATCOM can effectively supply reactive power even at low voltages.

Conclusion

This paper provides a general review of FACTS devices. It demonstrates how these controllers can
be utilized to increase the effectiveness of power transmission and distribution networks. These
controllers considerably enhance the power networks' efficiency by enhancing the lines' capacity
to transport electricity while incurring the fewest possible losses. Notwithstanding the fact that
many locations still use conventional techniques of power stability, Yet, these power electronics-
based controllers have come to light in recent years due to their ability to operate in dynamic,
steady-state, and transient conditions. These gadgets have significantly improved the networks for

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power distribution and transmission. Research is still being done to maximize the use of these
controls. When compared to other FACTS devices, STATCOM, which is addressed in the paper,
is by far the most suitable for compensating reactive power for voltage stability. It is frequently
compared to SVC, and studies have shown that STATCOM outperforms SVC in terms of response
time and can even transmit power at very low voltages. FACTS devices have notable applications
in power distribution networks in addition to transmission networks.

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