Topic > Four Categories of FACTS Devices - 764

The FACTS device concept was introduced by the Electric Power Research Institute in the late 1980s. Since then, FACTS devices have become increasingly popular in power systems. Prior to the introduction of FACTS, conventional power flow control techniques existed, but they were not fast enough, had to be operated manually, and lacked adequate coordination leading to the acceptance of FACTS devices. As the years pass, more and more advances in FACTS technologies evolve. FACTS controllers can be divided into four categories based on their connection in the network: shunt controllers, series controllers, combined series-series controllers, and combined series-series shunt controllers. These types of controllers are connected in shunt with the transmission line. Shunt controllers are of the variable impedance type, variable source type, or a combination of both. They inject current into the system at the connection point and then inject or absorb reactive power and then regulate the voltage at the connection point. Thyristor controlled reactor (TCR), thyristor switched reactor (TSR), thyristor switched capacitor (TSC), and static synchronous compensator (Statcom) are the common shunt controllers. Series controllers are connected in series with the transmission line. They reduce the overall effective series transmission impedance from the sending end to the receiving end and thus control the power flow. The Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC), Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC), Switched Thyristor Series Capacitor (TSSC), Thyristor Controlled Series Reactor (TCSR), and Switched Thyristor Series Reactor (TSSR) are some of the common series controllers. Combined Series: Series controllers are connected in series with neighboring lines with a DC link between them. They control the flow of power through the installed lines and are also capable of exchanging active power between neighboring lines. The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) is one such controller. Series-shunt combination controllers are the most versatile and powerful device in the FACTS family of devices. They are connected both in series and in shunt with the transmission lines. Depending on the primary control strategy, they can act as a shunt and/or series compensator, power flow regulator, voltage regulator, or phase shifter. Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is one such controller. In this work the focus is on improving voltage stability and therefore the FACTS SVC.A shunt device is used here. Static Compensator Var (SVC)SVC is a shunt-connected static reactive power generator or absorber that can maintain or control specific parameters of the electrical power system (typically bus voltage). They are called static because they have no rotational components