PRESTIGE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND

RESEARCH BHOPAL

TOPIC NAME- FLEXIBLE AC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM(FACTS)

SUB. CODE- EX-702 (B)
SUB. NAME- HVDC& & FACTS

STUDENT NAME- RAJESH LAVISKAR SUBMITTED TO

ENROLLMENT NO. – 0198EX211036 (ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT)
What is Flexible AC Transmission (FACTS)?
In conventional AC transmission, the power transfer capability has been
limited by various dynamic and static limits such as transient stability, voltage
stability, thermal limits, etc. These inherent power system limits led to the
under utilization of existing transmission sources.

Traditional methods of solving these problems use fixed and mechanically

switched series and shunt capacitors, reactors and synchronous generators.
However, desired response has not been effective due to slow response, wear
and tear of mechanical components.
With the invention of thyristor devices, power electronic converters are
developed that led to implement FACTS controllers. These power electronic
based controllers can provide smooth, continuous, rapid and repeatable
operations for power system control.
FACTS is an acronym for Flexible AC Transmission System and it is an
application of power electronic devices to electrical transmission system.
It is an AC transmission system that incorporates a power electronic controller
and other static controllers to improve the controllability as well as power
transfer capability.
It improves the performance of electrical networks by managing active and
reactive power.
The IEEE definition for FACTS controller is stated as , it is a power electronic
based system and other static equipment that provides the control of one or
more AC transmission parameters (such as voltage, impedance, phase angle
and power).

The possibilities offered by the FACTS technology include

Power can be controlled for desired amount such that it flows through
prescribed transmission routes
Loading of the transmission lines near their thermal, steady-state and
dynamic limits
Enhancing the power transfer capability between interconnected
transmission lines
Increasing the quality of supply for sensitive industries
Enhancing transmission system reliability and availability by limiting the
impact of multiple faults
Why Compensation Techniques are used in Power system?
Power System network consist of three kinds of powers, namely, active,
reactive and apparent power. Active power is the useful or true power that
performs a useful work in the system or load.

Reactive power is caused entirely by energy storage components and the

losses due to reactive power may be considerable, although reactive power is
not consumed by the loads.

The presence of reactive power reduces the capability of delivering the active
power byto
In order the transmission
achieve [Link]
maximum And the apparent
power power is the
transmission, the reactive
combination of
power
active
must beand reactive power.
compensated. This compensation is necessary for

1. Improving the voltage regulation

2. Increasing system stability
3. Reducing the losses associated with the system
4. Improving the power factor
5. Better utilization of machines connected to the system
The compensation techniques of the power system supplies the inductive or
capacitive reactive power (to its particular limits) in order to improve the
quality and efficiency of the power transmission system. The following are the
two popular compensation techniques used in power system.

Shunt Compensation
In this type of reactive power compensation, various compensation or FACTS
devices (which can be either switched or controlled) are connected in parallel
to the transmission lines at particular nodes.

These devices inject the current into the lines so that the reactive component
of the load current is compensated thereby the losses are reduced and
voltage regulation is improved.

The types of shunt compensation devices include static synchronous

compensator (STATCOM) and static VAR compensator (SVC).
Series compensation
In this, various compensation or FACTS devices (which can be either switched or
controlled) are connected in series with the transmission lines at particular
nodes. This compensation will give more control of power flow through the line
and also improves the dynamic stability limit of the power system.

Mostly, capacitors are installed in series with the lines. The amount of
compensation is varied by installing several capacitor banks in series with the
lines. This is achieved by thyristors controlled series capacitors.

Thyristor controlled switched capacitors (TCSC) and fixed series capacitor (FSC)
techniques are widely used for series compensation.
Types of FACTS Controllers

FACTS controllers are classified as

1. Shunt connected controllers
2. Series connected controllers
3. Combined series-series controllers
4. Combined shunt-series controllers

Series connected controllers

These controllers inject a voltage in series with the line. If this voltage is in
phase quadrature with the current, the controller consumes or supplies
variable reactive power to the network.
Shunt connected controllers
These controllers inject a current into the system at the point of connection. If
this current is in phase quadrature with the line voltage, a shunt controller
consumes or supplies variable reactive power to the network.

Similar to the series connected controllers, these controllers could be a

variable reactor or capacitor or a power electronic based variable source.
Examples of the shunt controllers include TCR, STATCOM, TSR, TCBR and TSC.
Combined series-series controllers
These controllers are the combination of individual series controllers that
are controlled in a coordinated manner in multiple power transmission
systems. Or these could be a unified controllers in which separate series
controllers are employed in each line for series reactive power
compensation and also to transfer the real power among the lines via
proper link.

Example of this controller is IPFC that balances the real and reactive power
flow in the lines in order to maximize the power transmission.
Combined series-shunt controllers
These are the combination of separate series and shunt controllers that are
controlled in a coordinate manner or a unified power flow controller (UPFC)
with series and shunt elements.

These combined controllers inject current into the system with series part of
the controller and voltage in series in the line with shunt part of the controller.
Examples of these controllers include TCPST, UPFC and TCPAR.
Overview of 10 FACTS Devices or Controllers
In this section we will discuss above mentioned controllers in brief.

Static Var Compensator

It is a shunt type controller which controls the power flow in transmission
system and improves the transient stability of power grids. This controller
regulates the voltage at its terminals by controlling the amount of reactive
power injected into or absorbed from the power system.
When the system voltage is low, SVC generates the reactive power and when
the voltage is high it absorbs the reactive power. The reactive power is varied
by switching the three phase inductor and capacitor banks. SVCs are basically
thyristor controlled reactive power devices and common types of SVC are
given below.
Thyristor controlled Reactor (TCR)
It is a shunt connected static var absorber or generator. It consists of a fixed
reactor in series with bidirectional thyristor switches. The impedance of this
device varied in a continuous manner by varying the conduction angles of
thyristors.

The output of this device is adjusted to exchange either inductive or capacitive

current. It maintains and controls the parameters (typically a bus voltage) of
the power system. It is an alternative to STATCOM in terms of cost.
Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC)
It consists of a shunt connected capacitor which is connected in series with
bidirectional thyristor switches. The impedance or reactance of this device is
varied in a stepwise manner by controlling the thyristors either in a zero or
full conduction operation. This controller offers no harmonics, no transients,
and low losses.
STATCOM
STATCOM means static synchronous compensator and it has the similar
characteristics to that of synchronous condenser but it has no inertia as it is
an electronic device.

It consists of a solid state voltage source inverter coupled with a transformer

and this arrangement is tied to a transmission line. This arrangement supplies
or draws reactive power at a faster rate compared with synchronous motor
condenser.

This controller injects the current almost in quadrature with the line voltage,
so that it matches a capacitive or an inductive reactance at the point where it
is connected. STATCOM can be either voltage source or current source based
controller but mostly voltage source is preferred.
Static Series Synchronous Compensator (SSSC)
It is a series version of STATCOM and it is an advanced kind of control series
compensation. It produces the output voltage in quadrature with the line
current such that the overall reactive voltage drop across the line is increased
or decreased.

Although it is like a STATCOM, the output voltage is in series with the line and
hence it controls the voltage across the line, so its impendence. It has a
capability to induce both inductive and capacitive voltage in series with the line
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC)
UPFC is the combination of STATCOM and SSSC which are coupled by via a
common DC link. It can exhibit the characteristics of both SSSC with series
voltage injection and STATCOM with shunt current injection, with added
features.

It has a unique ability to perform independent control of real and reactive

power flow. Also, these can be controlled to provide concurrent reactive and
real power series line compensation without use of an external energy source.
In the above UPFC, SSSC (or converter-2) injects a voltage with controllable
magnitude and phase angle in series with the line though a series transformer.
The function of STATCOM (or converter-1) is to absorb or supply the reactive
power demanded by SSSC at the common DC link.

It can also supply or absorb the controllable reactive power to the

transmission line to provide independent shunt reactive compensation.

Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC)

It is a capacitive reactance compensator. It consists of a series capacitor
bank which connected in parallel with a thyristor controlled reactor that
provides a smooth variable series capacitive reactance.

The total impedance of the system can be varied by changing the

conduction angle of the thyristors and hence the circuit becomes either
inductive or capacitive. If the total circuit impedance is inductive, the fault
current is limited by this controller. A simple model of TCSC is shown in
figure below.
Thyristor Switched Series Capacitor (TSSC)
Similar to TCSC, it is also a capacitive reactance compensator consisting of
thyristor switched reactor in parallel with a series capacitor. It provides the
stepwise control of series capacitive reactance.

Instead of controlling in continuous manner, it switches the reactor such that

the thyristors are fired at 900 and 1800. This controller can be implemented
without firing angle control to reduce the cost and losses.
Thyristor Switched Reactor (TSR)
It is a special case of a TCR where phase control of the current is not exercised,
instead the reactor is switched such that thyristors are either fully ON or OFF as
in case of TSC. The advantage of TSR over TCR is that no harmonics current
generation. Also, this controller use thyristors without firing control and hence
lower cost and losses.

The reactive compensation control in electric power system use the above
stated SVC types in different configuration, such as combination of TCR and
TSC, combination of TCR and TSC with filter circuit and TCR with filter circuit as
shown in figure.
Thyristor controlled Reactor (TCR)
It is a shunt connected static var absorber or generator. It consists of a fixed
reactor in series with bidirectional thyristor switches. The impedance of this
device varied in a continuous manner by varying the conduction angles of
thyristors.

The output of this device is adjusted to exchange either inductive or

capacitive current. It maintains and controls the parameters (typically a bus
voltage) of the power system. It is an alternative to STATCOM in terms of cost.
STATCOM
STATCOM means static synchronous compensator and it has the similar
characteristics to that of synchronous condenser but it has no inertia as it is
an electronic device.

It consists of a solid state voltage source inverter coupled with a transformer

and this arrangement is tied to a transmission line. This arrangement
supplies or draws reactive power at a faster rate compared with
synchronous motor condenser.
This controller injects the current almost in quadrature with the line voltage,
so that it matches a capacitive or an inductive reactance at the point where
it is connected. STATCOM can be either voltage source or current source
based controller but mostly voltage source is preferred.
Static Series Synchronous Compensator (SSSC)
It is a series version of STATCOM and it is an advanced kind of control series
compensation. It produces the output voltage in quadrature with the line
current such that the overall reactive voltage drop across the line is
increased or decreased.

Although it is like a STATCOM, the output voltage is in series with the line
and hence it controls the voltage across the line, so its impendence. It has a
capability to induce both inductive and capacitive voltage in series with the
line and hence the power control.
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC)
UPFC is the combination of STATCOM and SSSC which are coupled by via a
common DC link. It can exhibit the characteristics of both SSSC with series
voltage injection and STATCOM with shunt current injection, with added
features.

It has a unique ability to perform independent control of real and reactive

power flow. Also, these can be controlled to provide concurrent reactive and
real power series line compensation without use of an external energy source.
series transformer. The function of STATCOM (or converter-1) is to absorb or
supply the reactive power demanded by SSSC at the common DC link.

It can also supply or absorb the controllable reactive power to the transmission
line to provide independent shunt reactive compensation.

Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC)

It is a capacitive reactance compensator. It consists of a series capacitor bank
which connected in parallel with a thyristor controlled reactor that provides a
smooth variable series capacitive reactance.

The total impedance of the system can be varied by changing the conduction
angle of the thyristors and hence the circuit becomes either inductive or
capacitive. If the total circuit impedance is inductive, the fault current is
limited by this controller. A simple model of TCSC is shown in figure below.
Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC)
It is the new technique for effective power flow and compensation management
of multiline transmission systems. It consists of a number of converters which
are connected with a common DC link and each converter is provided for series
compensation for a selected transmission line.

In addition to the reactive power compensation, this controller can able to

transfer real power among the transmission lines due to a common DC link. So it
is possible to equalize both real and reactive power between the lines.
Thyristor Switched Series Capacitor (TSSC)
Similar to TCSC, it is also a capacitive reactance compensator consisting of
thyristor switched reactor in parallel with a series capacitor. It provides the
stepwise control of series capacitive reactance.

Instead of controlling in continuous manner, it switches the reactor such that

the thyristors are fired at 900 and 1800. This controller can be implemented
without firing angle control to reduce the cost and losses.
Thyristor Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST)
It is a variable phase angle controller, which consists of thyristors and phase
shifting transformer. The variable phase angle control is achieved by switching
the thyristor for different conduction angles.
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