Static Var Compensator (SVC) Controller Implementation &

Analysis in Matlab2018a Software

Kenan Yeshitela
School of electrical and computer engineering
PGP/888/2015
Keneanyeshitela@gmail.com

Muktar Abdul
School of electrical and computer engineering
PGP/891/2015
Abdulmuktar877@gmail.com

Dr.V.Ramesh Kumar
School of electrical and computer engineering
Assistant Professor
Vrameshxl@gmail.com

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Abstract - This paper presents a study of the impact of loads on power flow in power system. It

deals with the impact of both the voltage nodes and the transmission of active and reactive power
in lines, and therefore the loss of active and reactive power in the system. Flexible Alternating
Current Transmission System (FACTS) devices are found to be encouraging in improving voltage
stability limit in power systems. This paper investigates the application of FACTS devices (Static
Var Compensator, SVC) on a 9-bus multi-machine power system, it deals with the line losses and
improving voltage stability limit. Amount of increased reactive power generation and line losses
are taken as indicators of stressed conditions of a power system. The use of SVC is identified by
MATLAB software packages.
Keywords: Power Flow, FACTS, SVC, and Matlab2018a software

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Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
List of figure .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER-1 ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 5
1.1 Harmonic Power Flow Studies ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Modeling of FACTS Devices .............................................................................................................................. 6
CHAPTER-2 ................................................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Static Var Compensator (SVC) .......................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Analysis of SVC ................................................................................................................................................. 9
2.2 Expression for Voltage and Power ................................................................................................................. 11
2.3 Configuration of SVC ...................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4 Static Var Compensator (SVC) Description and Modeling ......................................................................... 14
2.5 MATLAB DESIGN ......................................................................................................................................... 16
2.6 Analysis of Results ........................................................................................................................................... 20
2.7 principle of operation ...................................................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER-3 ............................................................................................................................................................... 22
3.0 Applications of SVC ........................................................................................................................................ 22
3.1 Advantages of SVCs: ....................................................................................................................................... 22
3.2 Disadvantages of SVCs: .................................................................................................................................. 22
CHAPTER-4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 23
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................ 24

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List of figure
Figure 1 Static VAR compensator 9
Figure 2 Transmission line with SVC connected at the midpoint 9
Figure 3 Control characteristics of SVC 10
Figure 4:- Determination of operating point of SVC 11
Figure 5 Power Angle Curve for SVC 13
Figure 6 A typical SVC (TCR and TSC) configuration 14
Figure 7 SVC connected to a transmission line 15
Figure 8 SVC Detailed Model 16
Figure 9- SVC controller 16
Figure 10 SVC measurement system 17
Figure 11 SVC firing unit 17
Figure 12 Thyristor Control Reactor TCR 18
Figure 13 TSC1 18
Figure 14 TSC2 19
Figure 15 TSC3 19
Figure 16 output scope of SVC 20

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 CHAPTER-1
1 INTRODUCTION
Load flow study in power system parlance is the steady state solution of the power system network
[1]. The main information obtained from this study comprises the magnitudes and phase angles of
load bus voltages, reactive powers at generators buses, real and reactive power flow on
transmission lines [2], other variables being known. Usually a generating station is not situated
near the load center, but it may be away from load center due to various circumstances. In order
to meet the ever-growing power demand, utilities prefer to rely on already existing generation and
power export/import transmission lines that are well below their thermal limits. However, certain
lines are overloaded, which has an overall effect of deteriorating voltage profiles and decreasing
system stability and security. In addition, existing traditional transmission facilities, in most cases,
are not designed to handle the control requirements of complex, highly interconnected power
systems [3]. This overall situation requires the review of traditional transmission methods and
practices, and the creation of new concepts, which would allow the use of existing generation and
transmission lines up to their full capabilities without diminishing the system stability and security.
Another reason that is forcing the review of traditional transmission methods is the tendency of
modern power systems to follow the changes in today’s global economy that are leading to
deregulation of electrical power markets in order to stimulate competition between utilities.
Harmonic problems are not new to electric utility and industrial power systems. In the past, most
harmonic related problems were caused by large nonlinear loads such as arc furnaces. These types
of problems have been effectively mitigated. However, due to the widespread proliferation of
power electronic controlled devices nowadays, the problems caused by harmonics are of increasing
importance [4]. Power electronic loads offer a number of advantages in controlling power flow
and in efficiency, but they perform this by chopping, flatting, or shaping sinusoidal voltages and
currents. Harmonics are produced in the process. As a result, in order to enhance the performance
of the alternating current power system, power electronic devices are needed to regulate both active
and reactive powers as well as to increase the usable capacity of the current transmission system
[5]. The use of an electrical system with a fast response time known as a flexible alternating current
transmission system is a key strategy for combating the underwhelming performance of the

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transmission network (FACTS) [6]. One of such FACTS devices for combating the
underwhelming performance of the transmission network is Static Var Compensator (SVC). The
term SVC refers to a shunt-connected FACTS device that has an adjustable output and can
exchange capacitive or inductive currents with the connected system. Certain electrical power
system parameters, typically bus voltage, are controlled by this current [7]
1.1 Harmonic Power Flow Studies
The number and significance of nonlinear harmonics producing devices [5] connected to the power
system has increased substantially during the past few years. Principal reasons for this increase
include the development of high power semiconductor switches and their application in rectifiers,
inverters, and various electronic circuits, and FACTS. Harmonic power flow analysis has been
extensively used to study harmonic propagation in the network. The results of distortion level and
voltage wave forms are useful to verify compliance with harmonic limits. Harmonic power flow
can be presented mathematically as [6]:

[Vh]= [Zh][Ih] 1.1

Where [Zh] is the network impedance matrix; [Ih] is the vector of nodal harmonic current injection
of each bus; [Vh] is the resulting harmonic voltage; and h is the harmonic order. Harmonic
assessment using harmonic power flow can be separately conducted for every single diagram
applying for connection to the network. Modifying the diagram capacity or installing expensive
harmonic filters is necessary when the proposal violates harmonic limits. However, solutions
deemed reasonable for each individual connection could deliver poor results for the network as a
whole. For example, an early and minor connection may prevent development of other larger sites
due to adverse harmonic propagation impacts, effectively reducing the total hosting capacity of
the network or increasing the cost of additional filters [4].
1.2 Modeling of FACTS Devices
FACTS technology opens up new opportunities for controlling line power flows [7], minimizing
losses and maintaining bus voltages at desired level in a power system network. These are done
by controlling one or more of the interrelated system parameters including series impedance, shunt
impedance, current, voltage, phase angle etc. with the insertion of facts controllers in a power
system network. The groups of FACTS controllers are:
 Static Var Compensator (SVC).

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 Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC).
 Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC).
 Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM).
 Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC).
 Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC)

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 CHAPTER-2
2. Static Var Compensator (SVC)
A static VAR compensator (SVC) is a set of electrical devices for providing fast-acting reactive
power on high voltage electricity transmission networks SVCs are part of the flexible AC
transmission system device family, regulating voltage, power factor, harmonics and stabilizing the
system.[1,2] A static VAR compensator has no significant moving parts (other than internal
switchgear). Prior to the invention of the SVC, power factor compensation was the preserve of
large rotating machines such as synchronous condensers or switched capacitor banks [5]. The SVC
is an automated impedance matching device, designed to bring the system closer to unity power
factor. SVCs are used in two main situations: Connected to the power system, to regulate the
transmission voltage ("transmission SVC"), Connected near large industrial loads, to improve
power quality ("industrial SVC").
In transmission applications, the SVC is used to regulate the grid voltage. If the power system's
reactive load is capacitive (leading), the SVC will use thyristor controlled reactors to
consume VARs from the system, Under inductive (lagging) conditions, the capacitor banks are
automatically switched in, thus providing a higher system voltage. By connecting the thyristor-
controlled reactor, which is continuously variable, along with a capacitor bank step, the net result
is continuously variable leading or lagging power.
In industrial applications, SVCs are typically placed near high and rapidly varying loads, such
as arc furnaces, where they can smooth flicker voltage. [1, 6]
A static VAR compensator is a parallel combination of controlled reactor and fixed shunt capacitor
shown in the figure below. The thyristor switch assembly in the SVC controls the reactor. The
firing angle of the thyristor controls the voltage across the inductor and thus the current flowing
through the inductor. In this way, the reactive power draw by the inductor can be controlled. SVC
is a variable impedance device where the current through a reactor is controlled using back to back
connected thyristor valves [9]. The thyristor valves used in SVC are rated for lower voltages. SVC
was initially used for load compensation of fast changing loads such as steel mills and arc furnaces
to provide dynamic power factor improvement and also balance the currents on the source side
whenever required. Aims of using SVC: Increase power transfer in long lines, improve stability
with fast acting voltage regulation, Damp low frequency oscillations due to swing (rotor) modes,
Damp sub-synchronous frequency oscillations due to torsional modes Control dynamic over-

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voltages, A SVC has no inertia compared to synchronous condensers and can be extremely fast in
response (2-3 cycles).

Figure 1 Static VAR compensator

2.1 Analysis of SVC

Location of SVC is important in determining its effectiveness. The best is midpoint of a
transmission line. Consider a symmetric lossless transmission line with SVC connected at the
midpoint.

Figure 2 Transmission line with SVC connected at the midpoint

Without SVC, the voltage at the midpoint is given by,

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 1.2
The voltage variation in the line (due to variation in 𝛿) is maximum at the midpoint. SVC helps to
limit the variation by suitable control. The steady state control characteristics of SVC is shown in
the figure. ADB is the control range. OA represents the characteristic where the SVC hits the
capacitor limit. BC represents the SVC at its inductor limit. SVC current is considered positive
when SVC susceptance is inductive.

1.3

Figure 3 Control characteristics of SVC

The slope of OA is 𝐵𝐶 (susceptance of the capacitor) and the slope of OBC is 𝐵𝐿 (susceptance of
the reactor). A positive slope (in the range of 1-5%) is given in the control range to; enable parallel
operation of more than one SVC connected at the same or neighboring buses and prevent SVC
hitting the limits frequently. The steady state value of the SVC bus voltage is determined from the
intersection of the system characteristic and the control characteristic show in the figure 4. The
system characteristic is a straight line with negative slope and is defined by

1.4
𝑉𝑇ℎ and 𝑋𝑇ℎ are the Thevenin voltage and reactance viewed from the SVC bus.

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 Figure 4:- Determination of operating point of SVC

For the SVC configuration on equation 1.2, we have

𝛿
𝑉𝐶𝑂𝑆
2
𝑉𝑇𝐻 = 𝑉𝑀 = 𝜃 1.5
𝐶𝑂𝑆
2

𝑍𝑛 𝜃
𝑋𝑇𝐻 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1.6
2 2

Where 𝑧𝑛 is the surge impedance

𝐿
𝑧𝑛 = √𝐶 1.7

2.2 Expression for Voltage and Power

(a) Control Range: The SVC control range is described by
1.8
𝑋𝑠 is the slope of the control characteristic. 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑓 is the SVC voltage (corresponding to point D)
when 𝐼𝑆𝑉𝐶= 0.
Combining the two equations for the 𝑉𝑆𝑉𝐶, we have

1.9

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The expression for power flow in the line is given by

2.0
With Vref = V, it can be show that P is given by
P = KPO + (1-K) P1 2.1
Where

At SVC limit; when the SVC hits the limit it can be represented as a fixed susceptance (BSVC)
Where BSVC = Bc at capacitive, limit at the inductive limit, BSVC= -BL. Substituting 𝐼𝑆𝑉𝐶, in the
equations 1.3 and 1.4 and combining them, we have

The power flow in the line is given by

Power Angle Curve for SVC

The power angle curve for SVC is made up of 3 segments corresponding to

For typical value of parameters, the power as a function of 𝛿 is shown

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 Figure 5 Power Angle Curve for SVC

2.3 Configuration of SVC

The configuration of SVC as shown in Figure 6 consists of two main components and their
combination: Thyristor-controlled and Thyristor-switched Reactor (TCR and TSR). Thyristor-
switched Capacitor(TSC). TCR and TSR constitute of a shunt-connected reactor controller using
pair parallel back to back-connected thyristor. Using phase angle control, TCR generates an
equivalent and constant variable inductive reactive power from zero to maximum. consists of a
back to back thyristor pair in series with capacitors. The TSC is not continuously controlled
because of transient phenomena at switch-on, however instead is switched on and off
independently. Therefore, TSC cannot inject a reactive current with variable amplitude into the
system. The transient phenomenon in TSC does not generate harmonics but if they appear, it is not
a serious problem [13]. Tuned and high pass filters are also connected in parallel which provide
capacitive reactive power at fundamental frequency. The voltage signal is taken from the high
voltage SVC bus using a potential transformer.

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 Figure 6 A typical SVC (TCR and TSC) configuration

The advantages of TSC-TCR type SVC over FC-TCR type are; reduction in reactor size and
consequently harmonics generated, greater flexibility in control and better performance under
system fault conditions. For an FC-TCR type SVC, the rating of TCR covers the entire control
range (AB) in the control characteristics of SVC. The rating of the TCR required for a TCS-TCR
type SVC is DB. Although FC-TCR type SVC can generate higher harmonic currents, existing
(fixed) capacitor bank can be designed as a filter. This is not feasible in the case of TSC-TCR type
SVC.
2.4 Static Var Compensator (SVC) Description and Modeling
The SVC uses conventional thyristors to achieve fast control of shunt-connected capacitors and
reactors. The configuration of the SVC is shown in Fig. 8, which basically consists of a constant
capacitor(C) and a thyristor controlled reactor (L). The delay angle control of the thyristor banks
determines the equivalent shunt admittance presented to the power system [8]. New version of
SVC is basically a shunt connected static Var generator/load whose output is adjusted to exchange
capacitive or inductive current so as to maintain or control specific power system variables; [9].

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 Figure 7 SVC connected to a transmission line

One of the major reasons for installing a SVC is to improve Dynamic voltage control and thus
increase system load ability. An additional stabilizing signal, and supplementary control, super
imposed on the voltage control loop of a SVC can provide damping of system oscillation as
discussed [10]. The model considers SVC as shunt-connected variable susceptance, BSVC which is
adapted automatically to achieve the voltage control. The equivalent susceptance, Beq is
determined by the firing angle "of the thyristors that is defined as the delay angle measured from
the peak of the in their specific IT environment and to address their engineering analysis needs.
This includes engineering studies, assistance to integration and comprehensive training. The power
analysis studies database serves as the basis for improving system performance and power quality,
reducing operating costs, and providing a reliable supply of power during system operation.
Engineers can deliver complete system optimization.

Typical Power System Analysis

 Load Flow.
 Transient Motor Starting
 Short Circuit Analysis.
 Protective Device Study.
 Harmonic Study.
 Economic Load Dispatch.
 Optimal Power Flow.
 Load Frequency Control.

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2.5 MATLAB DESIGN

Figure 8 SVC Detailed Model

Figure 9- SVC controller

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Figure 10 SVC measurement system

Figure 11 SVC firing unit

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Figure 12 Thyristor Control Reactor TCR

Figure 13 TSC1

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 Figure 14 TSC2

Figure 15 TSC3

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2.6 Analysis of Results

Figure 16 output scope of SVC

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2.7 principle of operation

Typically, an SVC comprises one or more banks of fixed or switched shunt capacitors or reactors,
of which at least one bank is switched by thyristors. Elements which may be used to make an SVC
typically include:

 Thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR), where the reactor may be air- or iron-cored

 Thyristor-switched capacitor (TSC)
 Harmonic filter(s)
 Mechanically switched capacitors or reactors (switched by a circuit breaker)
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 VAR injection (or absorption) to
the electrical network. In this configuration, coarse voltage control is provided by the capacitors;
the thyristor-controlled reactor is to provide smooth control. Smoother control and more flexibility
can be provided with thyristor-controlled capacitor switching

The thyristors are electronically controlled. Thyristors, like all semiconductors, generate heat
and deionized water is commonly used to cool them. Chopping reactive load into the circuit in this
manner injects undesirable odd-order harmonics and so banks of high-power filters are usually
provided to smooth the waveform. Since the filters themselves are capacitive, they also export
MVARs to the power system.

More complex arrangements are practical where precise voltage regulation is required. Voltage
regulation is provided by means of a closed-loop controller. Remote supervisory control and
manual adjustment of the voltage set-point are also common.

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 CHAPTER-3
3.0 Applications of SVC
The major application of SVC is for rapid voltage regulation and control of dynamic (temporary)
over-voltages caused by load throw off, faults or other transient disturbances. The dynamic
reactive control at the load bus increases power transfer and can solve the problem of voltage
instability (collapse) caused by contingency conditions. Steady state voltage regulation can be
achieved by mechanically switched capacitors and reactors (MSC and MSR). Fast voltage
regulation is required to prevent instability under transient conditions. In SVC, the fast
controllability provided by the thyristor switches can be also utilized to improve system stability
The use of auxiliary damping controllers can help damp low frequency, inter-area power
oscillations that can appear at stressed operating conditions. The location of SVC is an important
issue. If the objective is to compensate a long transmission line, the SVC is to be located at the
midpoint of the line.
3.1 Advantages of SVCs:
Faster response time: SVCs are solid-state devices that can respond to changes in reactive power
demand much faster than conventional transformers, which have a slower response time.
Precise control: SVCs can provide precise and dynamic control of reactive power, allowing for
better voltage regulation and power factor correction. Smaller footprint: SVCs require much less
space than conventional transformers, which can be a significant advantage in urban areas where
space is limited. Lower losses: SVCs have lower losses than conventional transformers, which can
result in energy savings.
3.2 Disadvantages of SVCs:
Higher cost: SVCs are more expensive than conventional transformers, which can be a significant
disadvantage for some applications. More complex: SVCs are more complex than conventional
transformers, requiring more advanced control and protection systems. Harmonic distortion: SVCs
can produce harmonic distortion in the power system, which can cause problems with other
equipment in the system. Maintenance: SVCs require more maintenance than conventional
transformers, which can be a disadvantage in remote areas or areas with limited resources.

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 CHAPTER-4 Conclusion

Generally, static VAR compensation is not done at line voltage; a bank of transformers steps the
transmission voltage (for example, 230 kV) down to a much lower level (for example, 9.0 kV).
This reduces the size and number of components needed in the SVC, although the conductors must
be very large to handle the high currents associated with the lower voltage. In some static VAR
compensators for industrial applications such as electric arc furnaces, where there may be an
existing medium-voltage bus bar present (for example at 33 kV or 34.5 kV), the static VAR
compensator may be directly connected in order to save the cost of the transformer.

Another common connection point for SVC is on the delta tertiary winding of Y-connected auto-
transformers used to connect one transmission voltage to another voltage.

The dynamic nature of the SVC lies in the use of thyristors connected in series and inverse-parallel,
forming "thyristor valves". The disc-shaped semiconductors, usually several inches in diameter,
are usually located indoors in a "valve house".

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