Application of FACTS Devices in Transmission Networks under Demand Uncertainty for Performance Improvement

Abstract

The Transmission System is the backbone of the power utility of a country which contributes to the provision of uninterrupted power supply to the consumers. The power dispersal is the primary role of the transmission system which is operating at high voltages to avoid losses. The conventional method of strengthening the transmission system is to build more transmission lines to ensure reliability, redundancy and at least N-1 contingency. However, due to the growing population, the new constructions have several limitations, therefore utilization of the existing transmission system up to the maximum possible extent is of prime importance. To ensure the utilization of existing system, FACTS devices play a pivotal role. These not only enhance the power transfer capability but also increase the performance of transmission line. Moreover, by managing the impedance factor of the FACTS devices, the power can be controlled to flow in a certain direction. In the current study, cases are developed to study the effect of installation of Static VAR Compensators (SVC) and Series Compensation (Fixed). For the study, IEEE systems of 14 and 39 Bus are utilized. Contingency analysis is performed to calculate the performance parameter (PP) during contingency of transmission line tripping. Performance parameter is summation of Number of overloaded transmission lines and Number of buses underwent voltage violation when transmission lines are tripped. Based on the value of PP, the ranking is done regarding the severity of effects whenever contingency occurred, and line is tripped. FACTS devices (SVC and Series Compensators) are installed at weak buses present in the system and then load flow analysis using Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE) has be carried out. The results would be compared with the scenario when FACTS are not installed. This would be applied to two standard systems of IEEE of sufficient sizes and in the end chunk of transmission system of Pakistan would be studied and remedies would be proposed if time permits.