V. Komen et al.

Istraživanje poboljšanja rada prijenosne mreže primjenom statičkih VAR kompenzatora

ISSN 1330-3651
UDC/UDK 621.316.051.072.2:681.527

RESEARCH ON THE POWER GRID OPERATION IMPROVEMENT

BY STATIC VAR COMPENSATORS
Vitomir Komen, Mateo Blasina, Renato Ćućić
Original scientific paper
The paper investigates the impact of a static VAR compensator on voltage circumstances and reactive power flows in a Croatian power transmission grid. The
research has been conducted between Melina SS–reversible Velebit HEPP–Konjsko SS under low- and high-load conditions of the system. During the research,
the possibility of higher transfer capability of the existing HV overhead lines was identified through the reactive power flow control on the grid. Today's degree
of industrialization and the living standards require exceptionally high quantities of electric energy, which is a great problem for the existing transmission
systems having insufficient capacity to meet the increasing needs and demands of customers. The key parameters for solving the problems are the line transfer
capability, voltage stability and reactive power compensation, which could be improved in terms of their high capabilities and better control by means of SVC
devices.

Keywords: reactive power compensation, increase in transfer capability, power transmission grid, voltage control, SVC device and system stability

Istraživanje poboljšanja rada prijenosne mreže primjenom statičkih VAR kompenzatora

Izvorni znanstveni članak

U radu je istražen utjecaj statičkog VAR kompenzatora na naponske prilike i tokove jalovih snaga u Hrvatskoj prijenosnoj mreži. Istraživanje je provedeno
između TS Melina–RHE Velebit–TS Konjsko i to u uvjetima niskih i visokih opterećenja sustava, te su utvrđene mogućnosti povećanja prijenosne moći
postojećih visokonaponskih vodova kroz regulaciju i upravljanje tokova jalovih snaga u mreži. Današnji stupanj industrijalizacije i razvoja životnog standarda
stanovništva iziskuje izrazito velike količine električne energije, što predstavlja veliki problem postojećim prijenosnim sustavima kao nedovoljno snažnim da
zadovolje rastuće potrebe i zahtjeve kupaca. Ključni parametri za rješavanje navedenih problema su prijenosna moć voda, stabilnost napona i kompenzacija
jalove snage, a povećanje i regulaciju istih moguće je ostvariti uz pomoć SVC uređaja.

Ključne riječi: kompenzacija jalove snage, povećanje prijenosne moći, prijenosne mreže, regulacija napona, SVC uređaj i stabilnost sustava

1 Current use of Flexible Alternating Current

Introduction Transmission Systems (FACTS) helps in solving a great
many previously mentioned situations. They are all cost-
A progressive growth in electricity demand and demanding and do not require replacement of the existing
increasingly demanding customers ask for rehabilitation of transmission lines by the new and more powerful ones.
the current transmission system as to provide a safe and The essence of all FACTS devices is in using the power
good quality electricity supply and maintain the system electronic circuits, whose abrupt development over the last
stability. Worn out equipment and overloaded transmission twenty years has resulted in formation of FACTS. The Static
lines can cause outages and blackouts in large industrial Var Compensators (SVC) are considered the first FACTS
centres, and as a possible consequence, high financial devices parallel-connected to the grid. This paper analyses
losses. The basic problem reflected in the transmission the SVC devices, their properties, and operational problems
system, not adequately supported by investments in when connected to a part of the Croatian electric power grid.
increasing the transfer capability, could therefore reach a
dangerous limit of its stability [1]. 2
Not only are too high loads an issue, but also the low Structure and analysis of the SVC devices
load conditions of the transmission elements, which could
result, due to the prevailing parallel capacities of the lines, in A SVC device is counted among the parallel-connected
serious damages in the switchgears. The current global FACTS devices whose main purpose is to control the
financial crisis and implementation of the electricity market voltage at the point of connection to the grid by injecting
liberalization (the transfer from monopolistic to private- reactive power (current) into that node. Depending on
entrepreneurial system) particularly affect the system whether it acts on the voltage amount in the node or on its
stability. This is manifested by underinvestment in all angle, it is possible to achieve simultaneous effect on the
electric power sectors due to the numerous risks private active and reactive power flows in the system.
investors are facing, such as huge investments and long- If the aim is the generation or consumption of the
term return on investments, high costs and potential reactive power, the current injected should be phase vertical
problems during construction and operation. The basic aim with respect to the voltage in the SVC connection node.
of power system development is secure supply of electricity Otherwise, the consequence will be the occurrence of the
at competitive prices formed on the open market with the active power. The FACTS devices actually make the control
appropriate environmental protection. Liberalized of the transmission line current possible, which results in
electricity market has allowed private investors to invest in higher transfer capability. The generation or consumption of
renewable energy sources, which usually have a negative reactive power by SVCs varies widely using in most cases
effect on system stability [1, 3, 4]. The problems made the thyristor-controllable fluctuating impedances (capacitors
world's scientific and professional communities more and/or reactors). The power thyristors are found to be the
interested in maintaining the system stability and increasing most suitable because they involve significant voltage and
the line transfer capability, voltage and reactive power current loads. Consequently, the types of thyristors are:
control being the essential parameters of stability. ! Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCR)

Tehnički vjesnik 19, 1(2012), 57-64 57

Research on the power grid operation improvement by static VAR compensators V. Komen et al.

! Gate Turn-off Thyristors (GTO) 2.1

! Metal-oxide Semiconductor Controlled Thyristors Stationary characteristic of the SVC devices
(MCT).
In order to form stationary characteristics of a SVC
If a silicon-controlled rectifier is in a blocking state and device, its connection to an ideal transmission line is
if a positive impulse is brought to the "gate", SCR goes to a considered. Under ideal circumstances, SVC should be
control state and maintains that state until the current connected in the middle of the transmission line as
through the main circuit (anode-cathode) falls to zero. This illustrated in Fig. 2 [2, 5, 6].
is the basic shortcoming of SCR because the control process
cannot be voluntarily broken by a negative impulse to the VÐd Vm Ðd VÐ0 o
2
"gate" thus making full controllability. That is why the GTO
thyristors have been invented. They are fully controllable
switches and have an optional on/off switching possibility. P VSVC P
Finally, in order to increase the thyristor switch-off current,
an MCT thyristor has been designed, which is in essence
similar to GTO but has some advantages. Connected transformer
The SVC structure is illustrated in Fig. 1. It has been
achieved by a combination of a thyristor-controlled reactor ISVC
(TCR) and a thyristor-switched capacitor (TSC) with the
filters for elimination of higher harmonics, which is in line SVC
with the standard design of SVC [2]. Figure 2 SVC device connected in the middle of a transmission line

SVC connection busbars With no SVC device connected as illustrated in Fig. 2,

the amount of voltage in the middle of an ideal transmission
line could be expressed as:

Connected transformer V × cos(d / 2)

Vm 0 = , (1)
cos(Q / 2)

where Θ is an absolute weighting constant (wave constant)

for the line length d and is expressed by the equation:
L TSC L TCR LF

C TSC CF Q = b ×d, (2)

TCR and
TSC with the parameters:
logic β – phase constant, °/km
d – line length, km.
TSC TCR FILTER
Figure 1 SVC device structure Since an ideal line is involved, the following relations
apply:
Sensitive semiconductor elements require the SVC
devices to be connected to the power grid through current r = 0, (3)
transformers but a connection through a tertiary of a three- g = 0, (4)
winding transformer is also possible providing it is cost
c ¹ 0, (5)
efficient.
A wide range of control (inductive and capacitive l ¹ 0, (6)
character), fast response, low losses, insensitivity to the
changes of voltage and frequency, continuous control, and b =w × l × c = 2 ×p × f × l - c, (7)
independent phase control are the result of mass worldwide
use of the SVC devices in electric power systems over the where
last ten years. Exceptionally high reliability of the SVC r – unit active resistance of the line, Ω/km
device operation has fully rolled out the use of conventional g – unit active feeder of the line, S/km
synchronous compensators and other conventional devices c – unit capacity of the line, F/km
for voltage and reactive power control and the technological l – unit inductance of the line, H/km
progress in the power electronics field made them ω – circular frequency of the grid, rad/s
competitively superior. f – operating frequency, Hz.
The climate-change related situations, environmental
protection, market deregulation, and energy security force Since the voltage largest fluctuation occurs in the
us into the reorganization of the systems and significant middle of the transmission line (according to the angle β),
capital investment in renewable energy sources and the SVC device can limit the fluctuation by adequate
distributed generation of electricity. This makes the SVC thyristor control of TCR and TSC.
devices, but all other FACTS devices as well, leading in The stationary control characteristic of SVC devices
their use for maintaining the system stability and the quality determines the relation between the SVC device voltage
of electric energy affected by the distributed electricity (VSVC) and the current injected by SVC (ISVC). The control
sources [3, 4]. characteristic of SVC and the system (transmission line)

58 Technical Gazette 19, 1(2012), 57-64

V. Komen et al. Istraživanje poboljšanja rada prijenosne mreže primjenom statičkih VAR kompenzatora

V SVC In order to establish a relation among the electrical

C circumstances with and without a SVC device connected in
the middle of the transmission line, the SVC voltage
relations should be defined in the control area as shown in
Fig. 3 (segment ADB of the line) and in parts of device
G D V ref B
stationary characteristic where the capacitive and inductive
A V G_SVC limits are reached (segments OAand BC).
According to Fig. 3, the ADB area is expressed by the
equation:

V SVC = V ref + X S × I SVC , (13)

where XS is the quantity of the control area inclination of

SVC, and Vref is the SVC voltage for which ISVC assumes the
ISVC zero value according to the stationary characteristic in Fig.
IG_SVC O 3.
Figure 3 The stationary characteristic of the SVC device and Having combined the equations (9) and (13), a relevant
the system characteristic expression for VSVC is obtained:

characteristic are illustrated in Fig. 3 to establish a relation (VT × X S ) + (Vref × X T )

between the system and the SVC electric parameters, the Vm = VSVC = . (14)
XS + X T
control area and the working point position.
The OABC curve represents a stationary characteristic
of the SVC device (bolded black), whereas the system However, the most important parameter is the line
characteristic is shown by a straight line of negative transfer capability. If Vref = V is assumed, the following
inclination (red). The OA segment is an area in which SVC expression for the line transfer capability is obtained:
reaches a capacitive limit and the BC segment is a part of the
characteristic where SVC gets into the inductive area and P = t × P0 + (1 - t ) × P1 , (15)
reaches an inductive limit. The inclination OA is defined by
the capacitive susceptance of TSC BCTSC, whereas the where the parameters are defined by:
inclination BC is represented by the inductive susceptance
BLTCR TCR. The control area is defined by the line segment V 2 × sind
ADB, where the point G represents working point defined P0 = , (16)
Z n × sinQ
by intersection of the system and the SVC device
characteristic. V 2 × sin(d / 2)
The SVC current is considered positive when the P1 = , (17)
susceptance of the SVC device BSVC is inductive: Z n × sin(Q / 2)

XS
I SVC = -B SVC × V SVC . (8) t= . (18)
XS +XT
According to Fig. 3, the system characteristic is
expressed by a linear equation of negative inclination: The equation (15) suggests that the line transfer
capability becomes higher if using SVC devices
VSVC = V T - X T × ISVC , (9) considering part of the equation (1 – t)·P1 where:
P0 – line transfer capability with no SVC device connected
V × cos(d / 2) in the middle, MW or pu
V T = V m0 = , (10) P1 – line transfer capability with SVC connected in the
cos(Q / 2)
middle of the transmission line and maintaining the constant
Zn voltage value V at the connection point, MW or pu.
XT = × tan(Q / 2), (11)
2 The marginal areas of the stationary characteristic (Fig.
3) could be expressed by fixed susceptance BSVC:
where
VT – Thevenin voltage viewed from the SVC busbar side, kV B SVC = B CTSC , (19)
XT – Thevenin reactance viewed from the SVC busbar side
SVC, Ω when SVC reaches the capacitive margin (segment OA),
Zn – Wave resistance of the ideal line, Ω. and:

The wave resistance of the line is represented by the B SVC = -B LTCR , (20)
equation:
when SVC reaches the inductive margin (segment BC).
l If the expression for ISVC from the equation (8) is
Zn = . (12)
c incorporated in the equation (9), a relation for VSVC in
marginal areas of the SVC stationary characteristic is
obtained:

Tehnički vjesnik 19, 1(2012), 57-64 59

Research on the power grid operation improvement by static VAR compensators V. Komen et al.

V × cos(d / 2) reactive power injected into the AC system. This is the basic
V SVC = . (21)
(1 - X T × B SVC ) × cos(Q / 2) disadvantage as compared to TCR featuring continuous
control. However, the TCR's advantage is in the fact that it
In that case, the following relation applies for the line does not inject higher harmonics into the system and the
injected current is not distorted [2, 7].
transfer capability:
Since large quantities of current flow through the
capacitor when it is connected to the AC system, in order to
V 2 × sind
P= . (22) protect the power thyristors an additional reactor LTSC
Z n × (1 - X T × B SVC ) × sinQ should be connected in the series with CTSC (Fig. 1) to limit
the current and prevent the thyristor damage. Another
In the equations (21) and (22), the parameter BSVC reason for connecting an additional reactor is to prevent the
assumes the values from the relations (19) and (20) resonance with an AC grid. An optimal value of the reactor
depending on whether SVC reaches capacitive or inductive is determined by the reactance root ratio of XCTSC and XLTSC
margin. according to the equation:

2.2 X CTSC
TCR as a SVC structure element r= , (27)
X LTSC
Power thyristors are controlled by the reactor current
LTCR and the TCR control time [2,7]. The basis of the control where
is the thyristor trigger angle α. Dependent on the XCTSC – reactance of the TSC transversal capacitor, Ω
requirements imposed on SVC, the trigger (firing) angle XLTSC – reactance of the TSC additional reactor, Ω
ranges from 180° to 90°. The TCR current movement is The amount of reactor LTSC is selected by taking r > 3 for
determined by the control angle σ (dependent on the trigger the factor r.
angle), which could constantly change from 0° to the
maximum value corresponding to 180° angle. 2.4
The relation between the trigger and the control angles Higher harmonics and protection of SVC devices
could be expressed by the equation:
SVC is considered a generator of higher harmonics in
s = 2 × (p - a ) . (23) the system [2, 8], which is first of all due to the
implementation of TCR in the SVC structure being the first
The TCR current is non-sinusoidal and as such, it to blame for generation of higher harmonics. Another
contains higher harmonics that could be integrated in an consequence of injecting distorted currents by TCR is
extremely complex relation: distorted voltage at the point of the SVC connection. Most
of the problems refer to generation of low frequency
harmonics that can cause serious problems in terms of
V 4 é sin a × cos(na ) - n × cosa × sin(na ) ù
In = × ×ê ú, (24) electricity quality and stability of the system.
X L p êë n × (n 2 - 1) úû Generally, SVC contains filters for elimination of the
rd th th
n = 2 × k + 1; k = 1,2,3,... 3 , 5 , and 7 order harmonics. The higher harmonics
amplitude primarily depends on the thyristor valve
where switching frequency. A transformer connected to the SVC
n – higher harmonics, – device (Fig. 1) solves the problem of the third-order
V – effective value of connected voltage, kV harmonics. The star-delta connection prevents that the
XL – teactor reactance LTCR of basic frequency, Ω. third-order harmonics enter the AC system. For other
harmonics, different filter structures are used (combinations
of capacitors, reactors and resistance; passive and active
Higher (odd) harmonics affect the current injected by
filters) depending on the place of the SVC device
SVC, which requires installation of additional filters to
installation and the funds available.
cancel the negative impact of higher harmonics on the
The use of a 12-impulse configuration of TCRs is also
system and on the consumers as well.
possible (TCR divided into two sections), which results in
The basic component of the TCR current depends on th
the control susceptance BLTCR and the control angle σ, which penetration of the 15 order and higher (odd) harmonics.
However, this structure requires more capital. As a rule, the
could be expressed by the equation: th
15 order (and higher) harmonics are disregarded because
they hardly have any impact on the electrical quantities at
I1 = B LTCR (s ) × V, (25)
the SVC device connection point.
where the control susceptance is expressed as: Since the basis of all FACTS devices is power
electronics, each element requires adequate protection. This
s - sins primarily refers to the power thyristors, which are very
B LTCR (s ) = . (26) sensitive to different voltage and current overloads,
p ×XL temperature overloads, and similar. Basic defects related to
power thyristors are:
2.3 ! Thyristor failed to trigger at the right moment,
TSC as a SVC structure element ! One thyristor, or the whole section, failed to trigger,
! Voltage and current (temperature) overloads of
Switching (on/off) parallel capacitors is done by the thyristors, and
power thyristors and the result therefore is a step change of ! Mechanical damage of thyristors.

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V. Komen et al. Istraživanje poboljšanja rada prijenosne mreže primjenom statičkih VAR kompenzatora

The use of the break-over diodes (BOD) for automatic at the same time the following:
triggering of thyristors could solve the problem if a thyristor ! Voltage control and reactive power compensation
(a single one or the whole section) fails to trigger. ! Swing attenuation in the system
TRCs could be divided into two sections with the ! Restriction of higher harmonics in the system
thyristor switches connected in the middle of the sections. In ! Compensation of asymmetries in the system
such way, the short circuit is prevented throughout the TCR ! Higher stability of the system and the transfer
device and it is very unlikely that the short circuit will capability.
happen at the same time in both sections. This design is
typical for a 12-impulse configuration of TCR, which is As previously noted, the consequence of the SVC
financially more expensive. advantages is mass use of the devices in the transmission
Adequate cooling solves the problems relating to the systems regardless of slightly higher capital costs per
temperature overloads. Cooling by water has proved to be generated kVAr (Tab. 1).
the best solution.
Among other defects that could affect the operation of 3
the SVC devices, the most significant are: Connection of the SVC device to a section of the EPS
! Short circuits close to SVC transmission grid: Melina SS – reversible Velebit HEPP –
! Surge loads Konjsko SS
! Short circuit within SVC.
The impact of the SVC devices on electrical
The surges could be restricted by the metal-oxide circumstances in a 400 kV transmission grid section (400
varistors limiting the overvoltage to the desired value in a kV) of the electric power system connecting two basic
very simple way. substations was analysed: Melina SS and Konjsko SS with
the reversible Velebit hydroelectric power plant (HEPP)
2.5 connected (Fig. 4). Two generator sets have been installed in
Cost specification the reversible Velebit HEPP. They are designed to meet the
requirements of the turbine and pumping operation. The sets
Cost specification considers the capital costs by in the model are defined to satisfy the turbine operation at
generated kVAr, a level of operating costs of each device fixed output that is available apparent power of 155 MVA
that could participate in voltage, and the reactive power per each set and the power factor of 0,89. According to Fig.
control in the electric power system. Determination of the 4, the grid consists of three 400 kV busbars (nodes) (Melina
generation costs or the reactive power consumption in the SS, the reversible Velebit HEPP, and Konjsko SS), two
electric power system is very complex and a number of overhead lines connecting the nodes (Melina SS – Velebit
criteria should be taken into account. The market HEPP and Velebit HEPP – Konjsko SS), the reversible
liberalization further complicates the situation because of Velebit hydroelectric power plant with two generator sets
the additional services necessary for a normal and stable connected to a 400 kV grid with the associated transformers,
operation of the system (primary and secondary control of and a stiff grid connected to the busbars in Konjsko SS. The
voltage and reactive power, cold and spinning reserve and energy transfer is in the east-west direction i.e. from
similar). The problem is in charging these additional Konjsko SS to Melina SS.
services to the single generators in the system. With the All lines in the model in Fig. 4 are characterized by their
market liberalization, this could be any electricity length, operating voltage, reactance, susceptance, and the
undertaking satisfying the conditions prescribed [9]. maximum allowed current under regular mode of operation
When analyzing the costs of generation and (maximum apparent power).
consumption of the reactive power (capital and operating
costs), the grid compensation devices taken into account are Melina SS Konjsko SS
synchronous compensators, capacitor banks, SVC devices
Melina SS Velebit RHEPP
and other FACTS compensators (STATCOM-Static Velebit RHEPP Konjsko SS
Synchronous Compensators, UPFC-Unified Power Flow
Controller, and TCSC-Thyristor Controlled Series Stiff grid (SL)
Capacitor). A comparison of the devices with respect to the
capital costs (in $/kVAr(kW)) is shown in Tab. 1 [9].
LOAD Velebit
Table 1 Comparison of capital costs for conventional and FACTS devices RHEPP
Type of device Capital costs / $/kVAr(kW)
Synchronous compensator 35 ÷ 50
Capacitor bank 10
SVC 35 ÷ 45 Figure 4 A model of the analyzed transmission grid
STATCOM 50 ÷ 55
UPFC (series branch) (50) The transformers are defined by apparent power,
TCSC 40 transmission ratio, short circuit voltage, magnetizing
current, short circuit losses and idle operation, control
capabilities, and the connection group.
The reason for wide use of the SVC devices is their The synchronous generators in the power plants are
relatively low operating costs and exceptionally high represented by the rated apparent power, rated power factor,
operating reliability. The SVC compensator could achieve rated and minimal active power, maximal and minimal

Tehnički vjesnik 19, 1(2012), 57-64 61

Research on the power grid operation improvement by static VAR compensators V. Komen et al.

reactive power according to the operating chart of the hydro Table 3 Voltages in the grid nodes according to the loads defined
set, and the associated reactances in the longitudinal and with the SVC device connected
transversal axis. Melina Velebit SVC
LOAD
The load is connected on the Melina SS side because of SS HEPP device
the east-west energy transfer and is modelled with the P /MW Q /MVAr U /kV U /kV Q /MVAr
required active and reactive power (PQ). On the other side, a 100 10 400 423,41 166,37
stiff grid is connected to the busbars in Konjsko SS making 200 20 400 423,32 140,34
possible to cover the grid losses but also the power supply to 300 40 400 422,94 98,45
consumers (load in Melina SS) with the necessary quantity 400 65 400 422,24 45,48
of active and reactive power taking into account also the
500 70 400 421,22 6,140
output of the reversible Velebit HEPP. At the connection
point, the stiff grid maintains the voltage at 1,05 p.u. 600 75 400 419,84 –39,97
Tab. 2 shows the amounts of voltage in each grid node 700 80 400 418,08 –93,35
with the operating conditions (loads) defined, and with no 800 85 400 415,91 –154,68
SVC device connected.
way, the voltages in the neighbouring grid nodes are also
Table 2 Voltages in the grid nodes according to the loads defined stabilized with respect to the SVC connection point.
Rev. Velebit The voltage circumstances, with or without the SVC
LOADS Melina SS device, are illustrated in Fig. 5. Under the condition of the
HEPP
P / MW Q / MVAr U / kV U / kV system low load, the voltages in Melina SS and in the
reversible Velebit HEPP assume high values. Likewise,
100 10 441,34 437,73
when the system load increases, the voltages in the same
200 20 435,38 435,57 nodes fall due too high flows of the reactive power. The
300 40 425,55 431,80 SVC device reduces the flows and because it is connected to
400 65 412,33 426,54 the Melina SS node, it takes from and gives to the grid a
500 70 401,74 421,83 certain amount of the reactive power, which results in
600 75 387,92 415,53 voltage stabilization in the broader region and in the nearby
700 80 368,78 406,69 nodes respectively. Since the SVC device is connected at the
800 85 336,89 392,01 Melina SS node, it maintains a constant amount of voltage at
that node in accordance with its control model. Fig. 5 shows
It is understood from Tab. 2 that at the low load the lowest amount of voltage in Melina SS due to the
connected to Melina SS, the voltages in the nodes assume identified reactive power flows in the associated grid model.
too high and consequently do not allow values particularly
in Melina SS. The higher the amount of load in the system,
the lower is the amount of voltages in the nodes, which
creates a problem of too small amounts of voltages in the
nodes (Melina SS in particular). The problem is solved by
adequate control of voltage and reactive power in the
system for which a SVC device could be used since this is its
fundamental purpose.

3.1
Results of the analysis with a SVC device connected in
Melina SS

In order to have adequate voltages in each grid node, a Figure 5 Voltage circumstances with and without a SVC device
SVC device consisting of a thyristor-controlled reactor
(TCR) and two thyristor-switched capacitors (TSC) was In order to have the exact voltage of 400 kV at the
used. The SVC is modelled with 300 MVAr maximum Melina SS busbars, the SVC device injects into the grid a
reactive power of TCR and two TSCs of the reactive power certain amount of reactive power. The consequence of the
of 150 MVAr / capacitive. In order to maintain the exact lower grid loads are high amounts of voltage in the grid and
amount of voltage of 400 kV (1,00 p.u.) at the SVC vice versa. The control of reactive power flow acts on the
connection point (Melina SS), a balanced control was amount of voltage in each grid node, which is manifested
selected. The SVC device transformer and additional filters through the SVC device operating area with respect to the
eliminating the harmful effect of higher harmonics of static characteristic according to Fig. 3. The limit value of
distorted injected current by SVC have been disregarded. the load at which the SVC device gets from the inductive to
Tab. 3 shows the voltages in each grid node provided the capacitive area is 516 MW / 70 MVAr. The SVC device
with the SVC device in Melina SS. Tab. 4, Tab. 5, Tab. 6, and current for this grid load value is zero, and consequently,
Tab. 7 show the calculation of the power flow through the there is no injection of reactive power into the grid. The
present lines, Melina SS – Velebit HEPP and Velebit HEPP – SVC device operates in the inductive area in case of any
Konjsko SS with and without the SVC device connected. lower grid load. In contrast, in case of any higher value of
Tab. 3 also shows the amounts of reactive power the loads with respect to the reference value, the SVC device
(MVAr) injected into the grid by the SVC device (or taken gets into the capacitive area of operation.
from the grid) to maintain the voltage at the connection
point at the exactly desired and predefined amount. In such a

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V. Komen et al. Istraživanje poboljšanja rada prijenosne mreže primjenom statičkih VAR kompenzatora

Table 4 Transmission line flow from Melina SS – Velebit HEPP

with no SVC device connected
Melina SS – Velebit HEPP
LOAD
Melina SS Velebit HEPP
P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr
100 10 –100 –10 100,38 –80,44
200 20 –200 –20 201,39 –58,90
300 40 –300 –40 303,23 –18,31
400 65 –400 –65 406,13 38,57
500 70 –500 –70 510,10 84,97
600 75 –600 –75 615,60 147,11
700 80 –700 –80 723,51 233,82
800 85 –800 –85 836,81 375,81
Figure 6 Active power losses on the lines in the model
Table 5 Transmission line flow from the reversible Velebit HEPP –
Konjsko SS with no SVC devices connected
By increasing the load in Melina SS, the losses through
Velebit HEPP– Konjsko SS
LOAD both transmission lines decrease (SVC gets from the
Velebit HEPP Konjsko SS
inductive to the capacitive mode of operation), which is
P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr
readily observable on the transmission line Melina SS –
100 10 174,58 185,55 –173,3 –237,2 Velebit HEPP because a SVC device is connected to the
200 20 73,57 163,79 –72,86 –220,9 Melina SS node (Fig. 6).
300 40 –28,27 122,79 28,68 –182,7
400 65 –131,19 65,32 131,63 –124,1
500 70 –235,16 18,37 236,14 –70,44
600 75 –340,67 –44,54 342,71 5,00
700 80 –448,59 –132,4 452,47 114,36
800 85 –561,93 –276,5 569,37 299,74

Table 6 Transmission line flow from the reversible Velebit HEPP –

Konjsko SS with the SVC devices connected
Melina SS – Velebit HEPP
LOAD
Melina SS Velebit HEPP
P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr
100 10 –100 –176,37 101,17 105,07
200 20 –200 –160,34 202,22 99,20
300 40 –300 –138,45 304,06 95,12 Figure 7 Area of the SVC device operation in the model
400 65 –400 –110,48 406,70 92,88
500 70 –500 –76,14 510,20 92,60
600 75 –600 –35,03 614,61 94,40 Depending on the grid load, the SVC device injects into
700 80 –700 13,35 720,00 98,46 or takes the reactive power from the grid and thus maintains
800 85 –800 69,68 826,46 104,99 the constant voltage value in Melina SS (Fig. 7). For the load
value of 516 MW / 70 MVAr, the SVC device current is zero
Table 7 Transmission line flow from Velebit HEPP – Konjsko SS
and therefore there is no injection of the reactive power into
with SVC devices connected the grid as illustrated in Fig. 7 (border area of the SVC
Velebit HEPP – Konjsko SS device operation).
LOAD
Velebit HEPP Konjsko SS
4
P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr P /MW Q /MVAr
Conclusion
100 10 173,77 –1,54 –173,25 –55,80
200 20 72,72 4,31 –72,61 –66,19
300 40 –29,11 8,36 29,16 –70,95
The research analysed the operation of the SVC devices
on the transmission grid experiencing the problems of too
400 65 –131,76 10,51 132,09 –69,88
high voltages due to too low loads flowing through the lines.
500 70 –235,27 10,67 236,24 –62,74
The research showed that the SVC devices could influence:
600 75 –339,68 8,70 341,69 –49,20
! the voltages at the SVC device connection point by
700 80 –445,07 4,43 448,52 –28,80
800 85 –551,53 –2,38 556,86 –0,96
controlling the reactive power flow through the grid,
! the active power losses on the transmission lines
decreasing with the increase in the system load,
In order to satisfy the load requirements connected to ! the increase in the line transfer capability i.e. the
Melina SS, the voltages, without adequate control, assume increase in the limiting transfer capability of the lines.
the values not allowed and accordingly the reactive power
flow through both transmission lines becomes too high When the system is under the highest load, the
(Tab. 4 and Tab. 5). To achieve a 400 kV voltage at Melina transmission lines analyzed could be loaded by 28,4 % more
SS, the SVC device injects a certain quantity of reactive with respect to the initial state with no SVC connected. The
power into the system (depending on the load connected) losses alongside the line are decreased by the same
thus influencing the reactive power flows in the system and percentage value. For the load value of 516 MW and 70
it compensates them (Tab. 6 and Tab. 7), which results in the MVAr, the SVC device goes from the capacitive area, where
voltage stabilization in the neighbouring grid nodes. SVC injects the reactive power into the connection node, to

Tehnički vjesnik 19, 1(2012), 57-64 63

Research on the power grid operation improvement by static VAR compensators V. Komen et al.

the inductive area in which the reactive power is used, and is

followed by a relevant increase in the system load.
The positive effect of the SVC device is demonstrated
at high loads, but also at the system low loads as noted in the
paper. Since Dalmatia is facing a problem of high loads at
400 kV and 220 kV voltage levels, due to the low loads of
the lines, the use of the SVC devices could be ideal for
solving the problem. Furthermore, deregulation of the
electricity market and ongoing increase in electricity
consumption (sufficient and good quality electric power), in
the near future, it is also possible to expect the increase in the
transmission line loads. Also in this scenario, the use of the
SVC devices (or some other FACTS devices) could be
pivotal for solving the upcoming problems.

5
References

[1] Metodologija i kriteriji za planiranje razvoja prijenosne

mreže u uvjetima otvorenog tržišta električnom energijom /
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Majstrović. Zagreb: Energetski institut "Hrvoje Požar" d.o.o.,
2002.
[2] Padiyar, K. R. FACTS Controllers in power transmissions and
distribution. New Age International Publishers, New Delhi,
2007.
[3] Višković, A. Svjetlo ili mrak: O energetici bez emocija.
Akademija tehničkih znanosti Hrvatske, Lider press d.d.,
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[4] Višković,A. Svjetlo ili mrak: Energetska sigurnost – političko
pitanje. Akademija tehničkih znanosti Hrvatske, Lider press
d.d., Zagreb, 2009.
[5] Sharma, P. R.; Kumar, A.; Kumar, N. Optimal Location for
Shunt Connected FACTS Devices in a Series Compensated
Long Transmission Line. // Turk J Elec Engin. 15, 3(2007),
pp. 321-328.
[6] Nwohu, M. N. Voltage Stability Improvement using Static
Var Compensator in Power Systems. // Leonardo Journal of
Sciences. ISSN 1583-0233, Issue 14, January–June 2009. pp.
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[7] Dizdarević, N. Mogućnosti povećanja prijenosne moći
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[8] Grigsby, L. L. Power Systems. Taylor & Francis Group LLC,
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Authors' addresses

doc. dr. sc. Vitomir Komen, dipl. ing. el.

Faculty of Engineering
University of Rijeka
Vukovarska 58
51000 Rijeka, Croatia
e-mail: [email protected]

Mateo Blasina, BScEE

Faculty of Engineering
University of Rijeka
Vukovarska 58
51000 Rijeka, Croatia
e-mail: [email protected]

Renato Ćućić, BScEE

HEP-ODS d.o.o., Elektroprimorje Rijeka
V. C. Emina 2
51000 Rijeka, Croatia
e-mail: [email protected]

64 Technical Gazette 19, 1(2012), 57-64