TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Magnetically controlled shunt reactors

– a new type of FACTS device
Information from Afritek

The need for more efficient electricity systems management has given rise to innovative technologies in power generation and transmission.
Worldwide transmission systems are undergoing continuous changes and restructuring. They are becoming more heavily loaded and are
being operated in ways not initially forecasted. Transmission systems must be flexible to react to more diverse generation and load patterns.

Flexible alternating current transmission transformer, reactors and a thyristor valve,  Optimise and automate power system
systems (FACTS) devices are used for the a MCSR is a transformer device, the operational procedures; rapidly and
dynamic control of voltage, impedance windings of which act as a SVC reactor efficiently respond to changes of
and phase angle of high voltage AC while a saturable core acts as a back-to- electrical parameters by remote
lines. FACTS devices provide strategic back thyristor valve. As a result three power control of a MCSR set point from a
benefits for improved transmission system elements are replaced by only one. SCADA/EMS terminal at the relevant
management and operation efficiency dispatch centre.
through better utilisation of existing MCSRs can be connected directly to high
 Reduce energy losses during
transmission assets; increased transmission voltage (HV) busbars without using a step-
transmission and distribution.
system reliability and availability; increased up transformer. This additional advantage
makes it possible for MCSRs to provide  Improve network stability.
grid stability as well as increased quality
of supply. a full regulating range at voltage levels  Improve maintenance conditions of
where regulation is needed according electrical equipment by eliminating the
The economical utilisation of transmission to the network's requirements. The high number of switchings of non-regulated
system assets is very important for utilities quality of customised MCSRs designs has reactive power compensation devices.
to remain competitive and to survive. A been proven by a decade of successful
 Increase transfer capability of HV lines
magnetically controlled shunt reactor field operations. Even if only one MCSR is
and provide secure automatic voltage
(MCSR) is a new type of FACTS device installed at a key substation, continuous
control when active power flows are
which is used for voltage stabilisation and automatic control and optimum voltage
close to the thermal or stability limits.
reactive power control in transmission support for several distribution substations
and distribution networks and at the in a large network can be provided. Repair  Avoid voltage collapses after network
level of industrial consumers. The main and maintenance costs of transformer i n c i d e n t s ( e. g . l o a d r e j e c t i o n s,
competitive advantages of MCSRs are: and switching equipment used for voltage generator and line outages, etc.).
regulation can be significantly reduced.  Provide favourable voltage conditions
 A robust design similar to the
for the operation of power generators.
conventional transformer design A magnetically controlled shunt reactor is
 High operational safety a three-phase static device operating on Based on their advantages and operational
the principle of continuous regulation of experience, MCSRs can be used in power
 Optimal technical and economical
inductive reactance. MCSRs are designed grids including, but not limited to, the
characteristics
for automatic voltage stabilisation as well following:
 Easy maintenance as for compensation and regulation of  Networks which sustain significant
 Lower price reactive power flows. The use of MCSRs daily or/and seasonal fluctuations in
enables operators to: electricity consumption.
When equipped with series capacitor
banks, MCSRs function as static var  Avoid daily and seasonal voltage  Networks with worn-out switching
compensators (SVC). Unlike a standard oscillations in electric networks and transformer equipment, which is
SVC which consists of an interconnection  Improve the quality of electric energy regularly used for voltage stabilisation.
 Networks which include long
transmission lines prone to frequent
changes of loads or power directions.
 Networks distributing electrical energy
to consumers which are highly sensitive
to voltage oscillations.
 Networks experiencing excess losses of
electrical energy.
 Networks having voltage profiles under
which power generators can not
operate within permissible reactive
power ranges.

Principle of operation
A MCSR is a semiconductor switch
transformer device, based on the principle
of alternate high saturation of each
magnetic core. The magnetic system of
each phase includes a control winding
and a high-voltage winding. Both windings
Fig. 1: MCSR in operation. are placed on two solid cores. When a

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TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
control winding is responsible for magnetic
biasing of a MCSR core.
The compensation winding feeds a DC
voltage source and loops inside the three-
aliquot harmonics. An oil transformer with a
converter (OTC) is designed to regulate the
magnitude of a direct current in the control
winding of the electromagnetic system
via changing the magnitude of the DC
voltage on the terminals of the converter
(DC voltage source). The rated capacity
of the OTC normally equals to 1 to 2% of
the MCSR’s rated capacity.
Some MCSRs are equipped with two or
Fig. 2: Static compensator.
three OTCs connected in parallel. This
allows operators to increase redundancy
regulated DC voltage source is connected speed and the rated capacity of a of MCSR construction and ensure its
to the control winding a DC magnetic bias magnetic bias system is defined during stable operation even in case of the
flux appears in the core. The alternating MCSR operation. The recommended failure of the main OTC. Normally all OTCs
magnetic flux of the HV-winding overlays time of MCSR loading/unloading is within (except for those used for preliminar y
with the bias flux produced by the DC 0,3 to 1 s. Depending upon the client’s magnetic biasing) are connected to the
requirements MCSRs can be adjusted compensation winding. An automatic
voltage source and a resulting magnetic
control unit (ACU) generates control signals
flux moves to the saturation range of so as to either stabilise voltage level or
to thyristor valves of the converter (DC
the MCSR core. Saturation of the core keep the rate of the consumed reactive
voltage source). According to such signals
causes an inductive current flow in the power or consumed current at a constant
the converter changes the magnitude
HV-winding. As magnitude of energy in the level. Similar to non-regulated reactors, of DC voltage in the magnetic biasing
control system changes, the magnitude magnetically controlled shunt reactors system which results in respective changes
of the inductive current in the HV-winding can be of two types: busbar MCSRs and of MCSR reactive power loading. The
changes respectively. linear MCSRs. Depending on the type, or ACU is an electronic device mounted in
upon the client’s request, a MCSR design a standard cabinet. Input power of the
This increases or reduces the reactive power may provide for an additional element to control system is less than 1 kW.
consumed by the MCSR. The DC voltage ensure preliminary biasing of the magnetic
source which produces current in the system and subsequent instantaneous MCSR-based static var compensators
control winding is fed by a compensating loading up to the nominal capacity
winding of the MCSR. Rectification of the A MCSR-based static var compensator
directly after switching to the network.
compensation winding’s AC is provided (SVC) consists of a controlled shunt
Like any transformer device, MCSRs allow
by a small-power thyristor converter. The reactor and series capacitor banks (SCB)
continuous overloading up to 120 to 130%
magnitude of the inductive current in the connected in parallel. Functionally, it is
of rated current and can also be briefly
HV-winding is regulated according to the equivalent to a “classic” thyristor-based
overloaded up to 200%. MCSRs can, if
proportional principle. This means that var compensator. A controlled shunt
necessar y, operate as standard non- reactor functions as a variable inductor,
the thyristors’ operating angle is defined regulated reactors with all their functional whereas a capacitor bank can include
according to the difference between the capabilities, including arc extinction, several units to enable the step regulation.
MCSR voltage set point and the actual during auto reclosing. The automatic control unit (ACU) ensures
voltage of the bus the MCSR is connected
reactive power compensation and sends
to. In order to achieve a quick change of MCSR system structure
switch-on/off signals to the capacitor bank
the MCSR loading from one quasi-steady
A MCSR system consists of: circuit breakers as shown in Fig. 2. The
state to another a super-excitation circuit
Electromagnetic part of a three-phase number and power of capacitor banks are
is provided. 

or single-phase reactor determined in such a way as to minimise

MCSRs are designed to allow any required circuit breakers (CB) commutations, which,
rate of power changes. The optimum  Magnetising system in some instances, prevents the capacitor
balance between the MCSR's operation  Automatic control system banks from switching on or off.
A MCSR can include the following
additional elements:
 A reserve phase of a single-phase
reactor
 An earthing reactor
 A monitoring system
 Process control signals and protective
apparatus monitoring signals
 A fire fighting system
An electromagnetic system is the main
power element of any magnetically
controlled shunt reactor. This consists of
a HV winding which is connected directly
to the electric network, a compensation
winding and a control winding. In some
designs the compensation and control
windings are designed as a single winding.
The HV winding is used for consumption of
Fig. 3: SVC connection. reactive power from the network while the Fig. 4: MCSR based SVC connection.

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TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
and a capacitor bank can be connected
to busbars of different operating voltages
at the same substation. Normally, the
MCSR is connected to HV substation
busbars for compensation of excess
reactive power in the HV power grid. It can
also maintain consistent voltage levels
during daily voltage variations. Capacitor
banks are connected to LV busbars in order
to provide consumers with quality power.
Thus, MCSRs meet the system requirements
for power transfer reliability of HV backbone
Fig. 5: SVC connection in the transmission lines, and capacitor banks
autotransformer tertiary winding. Fig. 6: MCSR-based static var
ensure proper operation conditions for
compensators switching options.
consumers. On the condition that the load
Unlike a classic SVC design, compensators of consumers connected to LV busbars
based on MCSRs do not contain a HV does not vary the scheme described here the payback period of the installed MCSRs
opposite-parallel thyristor valve for full helps to reduce the cross-flow through was less than five years.
power. The maximum voltage of currently the substation transformer to zero, which
MCSR operation on long distance high
manufactured thyristor valves does not results in considerable electric power loss
exceed 35 kV, which necessitates using a reduction. voltage transits
step-up transformer to connect a classical The Omsk power system includes a long
Overall, the advantages of MCSR-based
SVC to a HV power grid as shown in Fig. 3. 500 kV transmission line connecting
static var compensators are as follows:
the Russian power system with that of
The absence of a step-up transformer
 High operational safety Kazakhstan. Synchronous operations of
in the MCSR-based var compensator as
No need for powerful harmonic filters these systems depend on the reliability
shown in Fig. 4, leads to improved voltage 
of the interconnected 500 kV lines. The
regulation and significant cost reduction.  No need for additional maintenance
The step-up transformer ’s own resistance Omsk network performance depends on
staff training reversible power cross-flows, which results
leads to partial absorption of SVC power,
 No need for water cooling of powerful in voltage variations at 500 kV busbars
which prevents the use of such power
for regulation of the HV level. Thus, there thyristor valves at the Tavricheskaya substation of up to
exists a constant disagreement between  Service conditions similar to those of 40 kV per day. After the Kazakh and
a SVC target influence and a real effect Russian systems were resynchronised in
conventional transformer equipment
of regulation at the HV busbar. Besides, July 2000 the safety of the power supply
the cost of a step-up transformer adds to MCSR as a solution for full-scale voltage was increased but voltage oscillations
the overall cost of the STC, increasing the stalibisation in transmission networks increased as well. Prior to the MCSR being
payback period of the device. installed, high voltages and excess losses
Since 1991 the power system of Belarus of electric energy were common faults
Manufacturers of classic has experienced a sharp decrease in in the Omsk system. Voltage oscillations
SVCs can sometimes, as in active power load demand. Excessive directly depended on the magnitude
Fig. 5, connect them directly to the grid amounts of reactive power which of active power flow on the 500 kV
through an autotransformer ’s tertiar y previously served to ensure long distance transmission line. As the magnitude of
winding. This does not require using active power transfers appeared in the active power flow decreased voltages
a step-up transformer, but still has its 7 5 0 – 3 3 0 k V t r a n s m i s s i o n n e t w o r k. on the 500 kV network reached boundary
disadvantages. The SVC connection to Surpluses of reactive power caused values or even violated upper voltage
the autotransformer ’s tertiar y winding significant voltage buildup at each voltage limits.
leads to its additional reactive power load, level of the power system. The regulating
In December 2005 a 180 Mvar/500 kV
and as a consequence, to decreasing range of all reactive power compensating
MCSR was installed in the Omsk power
transformer transfer capacity. Moreover, devices was exhausted. Uneconomical
system at the Tavricheskaya substation.
the greater the autotransformer power and unsafe measures were taken daily to
The device solved the problems of early
flow, the greater the voltage loss will be prevent violations of voltage limits during
wear in electrical equipment and circuit
in it. In order to keep the voltage within minimum load periods. The most popular
breakers in the Omsk power system. The
prescribed limits, a SVC has to generate among them were: tripping some 330 kV
MCSR maintained voltages in the network
more reactive power, thus decreasing lines to decrease charging capacity of
at safe and optimum levels irrespective of
the autotransformer ’s transfer capacity. the network, large-scale disconnection the magnitude of active power flow and
Eventually, it can result in autotransformer of consumers’ series capacitor banks, load demand profile.
overload and reduction of its power operation of synchronous generators in the
transfer capacity. In addition, when mode of consumption of reactive power. Conclusion
regulating voltage in the autotransformer
tertiary winding, reactive power from the These measures led to significant increases The MCSR responds almost instantaneously
source is being redistributed towards both in electric energy losses and caused to short circuits and has all the functional
HV and MV windings of the autotransformer. violations of procedures for safe power characteristics of a non-regulated shunt
Therefore the control range of the SVC transmission and supply. A comprehensive reactor including arc-quenching during
connected to the autotransformer’s tertiary solution for existing voltage problems in auto reclosing. For some operational
winding can not be fully employed. the power system had to be found. An conditions the MCSR keeps voltages at
extensive feasibility study was carried out to substation busbars close to the highest
T h e u s e o f M C S R- b a s e d s t a t i c v a r define measures to normalise the voltage permissible rates ensuring maximum
compensators allows more flexibility in profile. Finally, it was decided to install four transfer capacity of the HV transmission
reactive power compensation and power shunt reactors (one non-controlled shunt line.
loss reduction as shown in Fig. 6. It is not reactor and three MCSRs) with a rated
required that all elements of the SVC capacity of 180 Mvar and rated voltage Contact Neelesh Pema,
should be connected to a single point of of 330 kV. The feasibility study proved that Afritek, Tel 011 316-7512,
an electric grid. In certain cases a MCSR due to high levels of current energy losses [email protected] 

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