Flexible AC
Transmission Systems
What is FACTS?
Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS):

Alternating current transmission systems incorporating power
electronic-based and other static controllers to
enhance controllability and increase power transfer
capability.
FACTS Controller:
 A power electronic-based system and other static equipment
that provide control of one or more AC transmission system
parameters.
General symbol of FACTS controller
Opportunities for FACTS
• P=V1.V2 / X.Sinδ
• Conventionally there is no high speed
control over these parameters
• Phase angle control is rarely utilised by
means of slow mechanical phase shifters
• Tap changers, reactors and capacitors are
generally mechanically switched are
“slow” methods
• There is no control for line impedance
Opportunities for FACTS
• For controlling power
• For enhancing the usable capacity of the
present transmission lines
As FACTS controllers control: Series
Impedance, Shunt Impedance, Current,
Voltage, Phase Angle and Damping of
Oscillations
Controllability
Basic types of FACTS Controllers
Based on the connection, generally FACTS controller can be classified
as follows:
 Series controllers
 Shunt controllers
 Combined series-series controllers
 Combined series-shunt controllers
Basic types of FACTS Controllers
Series controllers
The series controller could be a variable impedance or a
variable source, both are power electronics based devices to serve
the desired needs. In principle, all series controllers inject voltage
in series with the line.
General symbol of Series controller
Shunt controllers
 The shunt controllers may be variable impedance, variable
sources or combination of these. In principle, all shunt Controllers
inject current into the system at the point of connection. As long as
the injected current is in phase quadrature with the line voltage, the shunt
Controller only supplies or consumes variable reactive power.
General symbol of Shunt controller
Combined series-series controllers:
 The combination could be separate series controllers or unified
series-series controller. Series Controllers provide independent series
reactive compensation for each line but also transfer real power among
the lines via the power link- Interline Power Flow Controller.
Symbol of Series- Series controller
Combined series-shunt controllers:
 The combination could be separated series and shunt
controllers or a unified power flow controller. In principle, combined
shunt and series Controllers inject current into the system with the
shunt part of the Controller and voltage in series in the line with the
series part of the Controller.
Symbol of Series- Shunt controller
Brief Description and Definitions of FACTS
controllers
 Shunt connected controllers
 Series connected controllers
 Combined shunt - series connected controllers
Shunt connected controllers
Types of shunt connected controllers available in the market
 Static Synchronous Generator (SSG)
 Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM)
 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
 Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)
 Static Var Compensator (SVC)
 Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR)
 Thyrlstor Swltched Reactor (TSR)
 Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC)
 Static Var Generator or Absorber (SVG)
 Thyristor Controlled Braking Resistor (TCBR)
Shunt connected controllers
Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM):
 A Static synchronous generator operated as a shunt-connected static
var compensator whose capacitive or inductive output current can be
controlled independent of the ac system voltage.
STATCOM based on
voltage-sourced converters
STATCOM based on
current-sourced converters
 In cost point of view, the voltage-sourced converters seem to be
preferred, and will be the basis for presentations of most converter-based
FACTS Controllers.
Static Var Compensator (SVC):
 A shunt-connected static var generator or absorber whose
output is adjusted to exchange capacitive or inductive current so as to
maintain or control specific parameters of the electrical power system
(typically bus voltage).
 The thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR) or thyristor-
switched reactor (TSR) for absorbing reactive
power and thyristor-switched capacitor (TCS) for
supplying the reactive power.
 SVC is considered by some as a lower cost
alternative to STATCOM.
Series connected controllers
Types of series connected controllers available in the market
 Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC)
 Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC)
 Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC)
 Thyristor-Switched Series Capacitor (TSSC)
 Thyristor-Controlled Series Reactor (TCSR)
 Thyristor-Switched Series Reactor (TSSR)
Series connected controllers
Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC):
 Static Synchronous Series Compensator,
In a output voltage is in
quadrature with, and controllable independently of, the line current for the
purpose of increasing or decreasing the overall reactive voltage drop
across the line
 It is like a STATCOM, except that the
output ac voltage is in series with the line.
Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC):
A capacitive reactance compensator which consists of a
series capacitor bank shunted by a thyristor-controlled reactor in
order to provide a smoothly variable series capacitive reactance.
 It is an alternative to SSSC.
The TCSC may be a single, large unit, or may consist of several equal or
different-sized smaller capacitors in order to achieve a superior
performance.
Types of shunt series connected controllers available in the market
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC)
Thyristor-Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST)
Interphase Power Controller (IPC):
Combined shunt-series connected controllers
Combined shunt and series connected controllers
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC):
 A combination of static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and a
static series compensator (SSSC) which are coupled via a common dc link,
to allow bidirectional flow of real power between the series output terminals
of the SSSC and the shunt output terminals of the STATCOM, and are
controlled to provide concurrent real and reactive series line compensation
without an external electric energy source.
 This is a complete Controller for
controlling active and reactive power
control through the line, as well as line
voltage control.
Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Limiter (TCVL) Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Regulator (TCVR) based
on tap changing;
Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Regulator (TCVR)
based on voltage injection.
Other controllers


Control of power flow as ordered.
Increase the loading capability of lines to their thermal capabilities,
including short term and seasonal.
 Increase the system security through raising the transient stability limit,
limiting short-circuit currents and overloads, managing cascading
blackouts and damping electromechanical oscillations of power systems
and machines.
 Provide secure tie line connections to neighboring utilities and regions
thereby decreasing overall generation reserve requirements on both sides.


Provide greater flexibility in siting new generation.
Reduce reactive power flows, thus allowing the lines to carry more
active power.
 Increase utilization of lowest cost generation.
BENEFITS FROM FACTS TECHNOLOGY
Static VAR Compensator (SVC)
Static VAR Compensator (SVC)
- A TCR and TSC are the most important building blocks of thyristor
based SVCs
Thyristor control reactor (TCR)
 The controllable range of the TCR firing angle,
alpha, extends from 90 degree to 180 degree.
 A firing angle of 90 degree results in full thyristor
conduction with a continuous sinusoidal current
flow in the TCR.
 The current reduces to zero for a firing angle of
180 degree.
 Thyristor firing at angles below 90 degree
introduces dc components in the current, disturbing
the symmetrical operation of the two anti parallel
valve branches.
BL
Let the source voltage be expressed as
Where,
V=Peak value of the applied voltage
ω=Angular frequency of supply voltage.
The TCR current is then given by the following differential equation:
Current and voltages for different α in a TCR.
Thyristor Switched Capacitors:
 The capacitor voltage is not equal to the supply voltage when the thyristors are fired.
Immediately after closing the switch, a current of infinite magnitude flows and charges the
capacitor to the supply voltage in an infinitely short time. The switch realized by thyristors
cannot withstand this stress and would fail.
 The capacitor voltage is equal to the supply voltage when the thyristors are fired. The
analysis shows that the current will jump immediately to the value of the steady-state current.
The steady state condition is reached in an infinitely short time. Although the magnitude of
the current does not exceed the steady-state values, the thyristors have an upper limit of di/
dt values that they can withstand during the firing process. Here, di/ dt is infinite, and the
thyristor switch will again fail.
It can therefore be concluded that this simple circuit of a TSC branch
is not suitable.
is a magnification
factor
Static VAR Compensator (shunt connected controller)
Note:
The control strategy usually aims to maintain the transmission line voltage at a fixed level.
Thyristor-controlled series capacitor, TCSC
Thyristor-controlled series capacitor, TCSC
- Series-connected controller
Advantage of Series Compensation
 With series capacitors, the reactive power increases as
the square of line current, whereas with shunt capacitors,
the reactive power is generated proportional to the square
of bus voltage.
 In a same system benefits as those of series
capacitors, shunt capacitors that are three to six times
more reactive power– rated than series capacitors need to
be employed.
 Furthermore, shunt capacitors typically must be
connected at the line midpoint, whereas no such
requirement exists for series capacitors.
Variable-Series Compensation
1. Enhanced base-power
series-compensated line.
flow and loadability of the
2. Additional losses in the compensated line enhanced
the power flow.
3. Increased responsiveness of power flow in the series-
compensated line from the outage of other lines in the
system.
A basic TCSC module
TCSC CONTROLLER
A typical TCSC system.
Variation of the TCSC reactance with firing angle alpha
Advantages of the TCSC
 Rapid, continuous control of the transmission-line series-
compensation level.
 Dynamic control of power flow in selected transmission
lines within the network to enable optimal power-flow
conditions and prevent the loop flow of power.





Suppression of subsynchronous oscillations.
Decreasing dc-offset voltages.
Enhanced level of protection for series capacitors.
Voltage support.
Reduction of the short-circuit current. During events of
high short-circuit current, the TCSC can switch from the
controllable-capacitance to the controllable-inductance
mode, thereby restricting the short-circuit currents.
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC)
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC):
A combination of static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and
a static series compensator (SSSC) which are coupled via a common dc
link, to allow bidirectional flow of real power between the series output
terminals of the SSSC and the shunt output terminals of the STATCOM.
 STATCOM
 SSSC
Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM)
Power circuit
Equivalent circuit
 If the amplitude of the output voltage is increased above that of
the utility bus voltage, Et, then a current flows through the reactance
from the converter to the ac system and the converter generates
capacitive-reactive power for the ac system.
 If the amplitude of the output voltage is decreased below the
utility bus voltage, then the current flows from the ac system to the
converter and the converter absorbs inductive-reactive power from
the ac system.
 If the output voltage equals the ac system voltage, the reactive-
power exchange becomes zero, in which case the STATCOM is said
to be in a floating state.
Power exchange
STATCOM Operation
In practice, the semiconductor switches of the converter are not
lossless, so the energy stored in the dc capacitor is eventually used
to meet the internal losses of the converter, and the dc capacitor
voltage diminishes.
When the STATCOM is used for reactive-power generation, the
converter itself can keep the capacitor charged to the required
voltage level. This task is accomplished by making the output
voltages of the converter lag behind the ac-system voltages by a
small angle (usually in the 0.18–0.28 range).
In this way, the converter absorbs a small amount of real power from
the ac system to meet its internal losses and keep the capacitor
voltage at the desired level.
Static series compensator (SSSC)
Power circuit
Equivalent circuit
SSSC Operation
For instance, if the injected voltage is in phase with the line current,
then the voltage would exchange real power.
On the other hand, if a voltage is injected in quadrature with the line
current, then reactive power—either absorbed or generated—would be
exchanged.
Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC):
Inverter 2
SSSC
Inverter 1
STATCOM
 Inverter 2 provides the main function of the UPFC by injecting an
ac voltage Vpq with controllable magnitude Vpq (0 < Vpq < Vpq
max) and phase angle α(0< α< 360), at the power frequency, in
series with line via an insertion transformer.
 The transmission line current flows through this voltage source
resulting in real and reactive power exchange between it and the ac
system. The real power exchanged at the ac terminal (i.e. at the
terminal of the injection transformer) is converted by the inverter into
dc power, which appears at the dc link as positive or negative real
power demand.
 The basic function of Inverter 1 is to supply or absorb the real
power demanded by Inverter 2 at the common dc link.
Inverter 1 can also generate or absorb controllable reactive power,
if it is desired, and thereby it can provide independent shunt reactive
compensation for the line.
UPFC Operation
Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC):
Power circuit
 The basic difference with a UPFC is that the support system in the IPFC
is the series converter instead of a shunt converter.

FACTS _ECE 16 FACTS _ECE 16 FACTS _ECE 16 FACTS _ECE 16 FACTS _ECE 16

  • 1.
  • 2.
    What is FACTS? FlexibleAC Transmission System (FACTS):  Alternating current transmission systems incorporating power electronic-based and other static controllers to enhance controllability and increase power transfer capability. FACTS Controller:  A power electronic-based system and other static equipment that provide control of one or more AC transmission system parameters. General symbol of FACTS controller
  • 3.
    Opportunities for FACTS •P=V1.V2 / X.Sinδ • Conventionally there is no high speed control over these parameters • Phase angle control is rarely utilised by means of slow mechanical phase shifters • Tap changers, reactors and capacitors are generally mechanically switched are “slow” methods • There is no control for line impedance
  • 4.
    Opportunities for FACTS •For controlling power • For enhancing the usable capacity of the present transmission lines As FACTS controllers control: Series Impedance, Shunt Impedance, Current, Voltage, Phase Angle and Damping of Oscillations
  • 5.
  • 7.
    Basic types ofFACTS Controllers Based on the connection, generally FACTS controller can be classified as follows:  Series controllers  Shunt controllers  Combined series-series controllers  Combined series-shunt controllers
  • 8.
    Basic types ofFACTS Controllers Series controllers The series controller could be a variable impedance or a variable source, both are power electronics based devices to serve the desired needs. In principle, all series controllers inject voltage in series with the line. General symbol of Series controller
  • 9.
    Shunt controllers  Theshunt controllers may be variable impedance, variable sources or combination of these. In principle, all shunt Controllers inject current into the system at the point of connection. As long as the injected current is in phase quadrature with the line voltage, the shunt Controller only supplies or consumes variable reactive power. General symbol of Shunt controller
  • 10.
    Combined series-series controllers: The combination could be separate series controllers or unified series-series controller. Series Controllers provide independent series reactive compensation for each line but also transfer real power among the lines via the power link- Interline Power Flow Controller. Symbol of Series- Series controller
  • 11.
    Combined series-shunt controllers: The combination could be separated series and shunt controllers or a unified power flow controller. In principle, combined shunt and series Controllers inject current into the system with the shunt part of the Controller and voltage in series in the line with the series part of the Controller. Symbol of Series- Shunt controller
  • 12.
    Brief Description andDefinitions of FACTS controllers  Shunt connected controllers  Series connected controllers  Combined shunt - series connected controllers
  • 13.
    Shunt connected controllers Typesof shunt connected controllers available in the market  Static Synchronous Generator (SSG)  Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM)  Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)  Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)  Static Var Compensator (SVC)  Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR)  Thyrlstor Swltched Reactor (TSR)  Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC)  Static Var Generator or Absorber (SVG)  Thyristor Controlled Braking Resistor (TCBR)
  • 14.
    Shunt connected controllers StaticSynchronous Compensator (STATCOM):  A Static synchronous generator operated as a shunt-connected static var compensator whose capacitive or inductive output current can be controlled independent of the ac system voltage. STATCOM based on voltage-sourced converters STATCOM based on current-sourced converters  In cost point of view, the voltage-sourced converters seem to be preferred, and will be the basis for presentations of most converter-based FACTS Controllers.
  • 15.
    Static Var Compensator(SVC):  A shunt-connected static var generator or absorber whose output is adjusted to exchange capacitive or inductive current so as to maintain or control specific parameters of the electrical power system (typically bus voltage).  The thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR) or thyristor- switched reactor (TSR) for absorbing reactive power and thyristor-switched capacitor (TCS) for supplying the reactive power.  SVC is considered by some as a lower cost alternative to STATCOM.
  • 16.
    Series connected controllers Typesof series connected controllers available in the market  Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC)  Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC)  Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC)  Thyristor-Switched Series Capacitor (TSSC)  Thyristor-Controlled Series Reactor (TCSR)  Thyristor-Switched Series Reactor (TSSR)
  • 17.
    Series connected controllers StaticSynchronous Series Compensator (SSSC):  Static Synchronous Series Compensator, In a output voltage is in quadrature with, and controllable independently of, the line current for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the overall reactive voltage drop across the line  It is like a STATCOM, except that the output ac voltage is in series with the line.
  • 18.
    Thyristor Controlled SeriesCapacitor (TCSC): A capacitive reactance compensator which consists of a series capacitor bank shunted by a thyristor-controlled reactor in order to provide a smoothly variable series capacitive reactance.  It is an alternative to SSSC. The TCSC may be a single, large unit, or may consist of several equal or different-sized smaller capacitors in order to achieve a superior performance.
  • 19.
    Types of shuntseries connected controllers available in the market Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) Thyristor-Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST) Interphase Power Controller (IPC): Combined shunt-series connected controllers
  • 20.
    Combined shunt andseries connected controllers Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC):  A combination of static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and a static series compensator (SSSC) which are coupled via a common dc link, to allow bidirectional flow of real power between the series output terminals of the SSSC and the shunt output terminals of the STATCOM, and are controlled to provide concurrent real and reactive series line compensation without an external electric energy source.  This is a complete Controller for controlling active and reactive power control through the line, as well as line voltage control.
  • 21.
    Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Limiter(TCVL) Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Regulator (TCVR) based on tap changing; Thyristor-Controlled Voltage Regulator (TCVR) based on voltage injection. Other controllers
  • 22.
      Control of powerflow as ordered. Increase the loading capability of lines to their thermal capabilities, including short term and seasonal.  Increase the system security through raising the transient stability limit, limiting short-circuit currents and overloads, managing cascading blackouts and damping electromechanical oscillations of power systems and machines.  Provide secure tie line connections to neighboring utilities and regions thereby decreasing overall generation reserve requirements on both sides.   Provide greater flexibility in siting new generation. Reduce reactive power flows, thus allowing the lines to carry more active power.  Increase utilization of lowest cost generation. BENEFITS FROM FACTS TECHNOLOGY
  • 23.
  • 24.
    Static VAR Compensator(SVC) - A TCR and TSC are the most important building blocks of thyristor based SVCs Thyristor control reactor (TCR)  The controllable range of the TCR firing angle, alpha, extends from 90 degree to 180 degree.  A firing angle of 90 degree results in full thyristor conduction with a continuous sinusoidal current flow in the TCR.  The current reduces to zero for a firing angle of 180 degree.  Thyristor firing at angles below 90 degree introduces dc components in the current, disturbing the symmetrical operation of the two anti parallel valve branches. BL
  • 25.
    Let the sourcevoltage be expressed as Where, V=Peak value of the applied voltage ω=Angular frequency of supply voltage. The TCR current is then given by the following differential equation:
  • 26.
    Current and voltagesfor different α in a TCR.
  • 27.
    Thyristor Switched Capacitors: The capacitor voltage is not equal to the supply voltage when the thyristors are fired. Immediately after closing the switch, a current of infinite magnitude flows and charges the capacitor to the supply voltage in an infinitely short time. The switch realized by thyristors cannot withstand this stress and would fail.  The capacitor voltage is equal to the supply voltage when the thyristors are fired. The analysis shows that the current will jump immediately to the value of the steady-state current. The steady state condition is reached in an infinitely short time. Although the magnitude of the current does not exceed the steady-state values, the thyristors have an upper limit of di/ dt values that they can withstand during the firing process. Here, di/ dt is infinite, and the thyristor switch will again fail.
  • 28.
    It can thereforebe concluded that this simple circuit of a TSC branch is not suitable. is a magnification factor
  • 29.
    Static VAR Compensator(shunt connected controller) Note: The control strategy usually aims to maintain the transmission line voltage at a fixed level.
  • 30.
  • 31.
    Thyristor-controlled series capacitor,TCSC - Series-connected controller Advantage of Series Compensation  With series capacitors, the reactive power increases as the square of line current, whereas with shunt capacitors, the reactive power is generated proportional to the square of bus voltage.  In a same system benefits as those of series capacitors, shunt capacitors that are three to six times more reactive power– rated than series capacitors need to be employed.  Furthermore, shunt capacitors typically must be connected at the line midpoint, whereas no such requirement exists for series capacitors.
  • 32.
    Variable-Series Compensation 1. Enhancedbase-power series-compensated line. flow and loadability of the 2. Additional losses in the compensated line enhanced the power flow. 3. Increased responsiveness of power flow in the series- compensated line from the outage of other lines in the system.
  • 33.
    A basic TCSCmodule TCSC CONTROLLER A typical TCSC system.
  • 34.
    Variation of theTCSC reactance with firing angle alpha
  • 35.
    Advantages of theTCSC  Rapid, continuous control of the transmission-line series- compensation level.  Dynamic control of power flow in selected transmission lines within the network to enable optimal power-flow conditions and prevent the loop flow of power.      Suppression of subsynchronous oscillations. Decreasing dc-offset voltages. Enhanced level of protection for series capacitors. Voltage support. Reduction of the short-circuit current. During events of high short-circuit current, the TCSC can switch from the controllable-capacitance to the controllable-inductance mode, thereby restricting the short-circuit currents.
  • 36.
    Unified Power FlowController (UPFC)
  • 37.
    Unified Power FlowController (UPFC): A combination of static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and a static series compensator (SSSC) which are coupled via a common dc link, to allow bidirectional flow of real power between the series output terminals of the SSSC and the shunt output terminals of the STATCOM.  STATCOM  SSSC
  • 38.
    Static synchronous compensator(STATCOM) Power circuit Equivalent circuit
  • 39.
     If theamplitude of the output voltage is increased above that of the utility bus voltage, Et, then a current flows through the reactance from the converter to the ac system and the converter generates capacitive-reactive power for the ac system.  If the amplitude of the output voltage is decreased below the utility bus voltage, then the current flows from the ac system to the converter and the converter absorbs inductive-reactive power from the ac system.  If the output voltage equals the ac system voltage, the reactive- power exchange becomes zero, in which case the STATCOM is said to be in a floating state. Power exchange STATCOM Operation
  • 40.
    In practice, thesemiconductor switches of the converter are not lossless, so the energy stored in the dc capacitor is eventually used to meet the internal losses of the converter, and the dc capacitor voltage diminishes. When the STATCOM is used for reactive-power generation, the converter itself can keep the capacitor charged to the required voltage level. This task is accomplished by making the output voltages of the converter lag behind the ac-system voltages by a small angle (usually in the 0.18–0.28 range). In this way, the converter absorbs a small amount of real power from the ac system to meet its internal losses and keep the capacitor voltage at the desired level.
  • 41.
    Static series compensator(SSSC) Power circuit Equivalent circuit
  • 42.
    SSSC Operation For instance,if the injected voltage is in phase with the line current, then the voltage would exchange real power. On the other hand, if a voltage is injected in quadrature with the line current, then reactive power—either absorbed or generated—would be exchanged.
  • 43.
    Unified Power FlowController (UPFC): Inverter 2 SSSC Inverter 1 STATCOM
  • 44.
     Inverter 2provides the main function of the UPFC by injecting an ac voltage Vpq with controllable magnitude Vpq (0 < Vpq < Vpq max) and phase angle α(0< α< 360), at the power frequency, in series with line via an insertion transformer.  The transmission line current flows through this voltage source resulting in real and reactive power exchange between it and the ac system. The real power exchanged at the ac terminal (i.e. at the terminal of the injection transformer) is converted by the inverter into dc power, which appears at the dc link as positive or negative real power demand.  The basic function of Inverter 1 is to supply or absorb the real power demanded by Inverter 2 at the common dc link. Inverter 1 can also generate or absorb controllable reactive power, if it is desired, and thereby it can provide independent shunt reactive compensation for the line. UPFC Operation
  • 45.
    Interline Power FlowController (IPFC): Power circuit  The basic difference with a UPFC is that the support system in the IPFC is the series converter instead of a shunt converter.