2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

Improving Power System Dynamics By Series

Connected FACTS Controllers (TCSC)
K. Balamurugan G. Suganya N. Manojkumar
Asst. Prof III in Department of EEE Asst. Prof in Department of EEE PG Student in Department of EEE
SASTRA University, Thanjavur PRCET, Thanjavur. SASTRA University, Thanjavur
INDIA INDIA INDIA
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— Nowadays, the power transmission network transmission of electrical energy. It is meant to enhance
is expanding and is getting more complicated day by day. The controllability and increase power the transfer capability of the
problems of uncontrolled loop flows, overloading, excess of short network. An efficient and reliable PSCAD stands for Power
circuit current levels and system instabilities are causes of System Computer Aided Design based simulation is used for
concern for a power engineer. These serious problems have solving the power system oscillation damping problem is
necessitated new transmission technologies to be adopted such as
presented. The proposed approach is carried out in simple two
FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System) devices which make
electrical energy transmission more efficient and reliable. Among bus system [1] and [7].
the FACTS controllers the TCSC (Thyristor Controlled Series
II. FACTS CONTROLLERS
Compensators) plays a major role. TCSC is mainly used to
enhance line loadability and damp inter-area oscillations for A. FACTS
smooth synchronous operation of the interconnected regions.
Thus TCSC is used to enhance the effective performance of the Alternating current transmission systems incorporating
system. The main objective of this paper is to examine the power electronic-based and other static controllers to enhance
improvement of power system stability by introducing TCSC in controllability and increase power transfer capability. A power
the power system model through the inspection of their electronic-based system and other static equipment that
waveforms, where the design and simulation is done by using provide control of one or more AC transmission system
PSCAD (Power System Computer Aided Design). parameters [8].
Keywords- FACTS, TCSC, PSCAD, Dynamic Response, B. Basic Types Of FACTS Controllers
Three Phase Fault. In general, FACTS Controllers can be divided into
three categories.
I. INTRODUCTION
In a power system the effective power generation, • Series Controllers:
transmission and utilization is the foremost goals for an
electrical engineer. Among these three modules of a power The series controller could be variable impedance, such
system the transmission is more important to be considered as as capacitor, reactor, etc. or a combination to serve the desired
it includes more losses and instabilities. Nowadays, due to need. In principle, all series controllers inject voltage in series
increase in population the power transmission is expanding with the line. Even variable impedance multiplied by the
and is getting more complicated day by day. This leads to the current flow through it, represents an injected series voltage in
necessity of using new technologies to achieve effective power the line. As long as the voltage is in phase quadrature with the
transmission. line current, the series controller only supplies or consumes
• Increase transfer capability of transmission lines. variable reactive power. Any other phase relationship will
• Control the power flows. involve handling of real power as well.
• Assurance of system reliability, by increasing various
stability margins. • Shunt Controllers:
• More importantly, increase the overall efficiency by
optimizing the available facilities. As in the case of series controllers, the shunt controllers
may be variable impedance, variable source, or a combination
All these can be done using a group of high speed power of these. In principle, all shunt controllers inject current in to
electronics controllers called FACTS controllers. These the system at the point of connection. Even variable shunt
groups of controllers are expected to revolutionize the utilities impedance connected to the line voltage causes a variable
in many ways by rapidly and smoothly controlling power current flow and hence represents injection of current in to the
system quantities. Flexible Alternating Current Transmission line. As long as the injected current is in phase quadrature with
System (FACTS) is static equipment used for the AC the line voltage, the shunt controller only supplies or

978-1-4673-6030-2/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE

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 2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

consumes variable reactive power. Any other phase A. TCSC Model

relationship will involve handling of real power as well. The following picture represents the TCSC model as
shown in Fig 1. It has two thyristors connected in anti-parallel,
• Combined Controllers: an inductor and a capacitor [2].
In principle, combined shunt and series controllers
inject current in to the system with the shunt part of the
controller and voltage in series in the line with the series part
of the controller. However, when the shunt and series
controllers are unified, there can be a real power exchange
between the series and shunt controllers via the power link.
Figure 1 TCSC Model.
C. Choice of Series Controllers
The basic thyristor controlled series capacitor scheme
The shunt compensation is ineffective in controlling the proposed in 1986 by Vithayathil as a method of “rapid
actual transmitted power which, at a defined transmission adjustment of network impedance” consists of the series
voltage, is ultimately determined by the series line impedance compensating capacitor shunted by a thyristor controlled
and the angle between the end voltages of line. It is always reactor. In a practical TCSC implementation, several such
being recognized that ac power transmission over long lines is basic compensators may be connected in series to obtain the
primarily limited by the series reactive impedance of the line. desired voltage rating and operating characteristics. It provides
Series capacitive compensation is introduced to cancel a a continuously variable capacitor by means of partially
portion of the reactive line impedance and thereby increase the canceling the effective compensating capacitance by the TCR.
transmittable power. The basic idea behind series capacitive TCSC is of a parallel LC circuit, consisting of a fixed
compensation is to decrease the overall effective series capacitive impedance Xc, and a variable inductive impedance
transmission impedance from the sending end to the receiving XL. The TCSC thus presents a tunable parallel LC circuit to
end. The effective transmission impedance Xeff with the series the line current. XL is varied from its maximum (infinity)
capacitive compensation is given in (1) towards its minimum (ωL), the TCSC increases its capacitive
impedance. Decreasing XL further, the impedance of the
TCSC becomes inductive. Thus the TCSC has two operating
ranges: one is capacitive and the other is inductive [6].

Where ‘k’ is the degree of series compensation given in (3) IV. POWER SYSTEM COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (PSCAD)
i.e., A. Introduction to PSCAD
PSCAD stands for Power System Computer Aided
Design. PSCAD is the Professional’s Tool for Power Systems
In series compensation, the FACTS are connected in Simulation. It is a powerful Transients Simulation Software by
series with the power system. It works as a controllable Manitoba HVDC Research Centre. PSCAD is a general-
voltage source. Series inductance occurs in long transmission purpose time domain simulation tool for studying behavior of
lines, and when a large current flow it causes a large voltage electrical networks. First developed in 1976, the EMTDC
drop. To compensate, series capacitors are connected. simulation program has been constantly evolving in its scope
and capabilities. Presently, it is used as a Graphical User
Interface for the EMTDC transients’ instantaneous solution
III. THYRISTOR CONTROLLER SERIES CAPACITOR (TCSC) engine. Users can now harness the power of EMTDC through
A capacitive reactance compensator which consists of a the user-friendly PSCAD interface on personal computers.
series capacitor bank shunted by a thyristor controlled reactor This seamlessly integrated visual environment supports all
in order to provide a smoothly variable series capacitive aspects of conducting a simulation including circuit assembly,
reactance. The Control Attributes of TCSC are listed below. real-time control, analysis and reporting. Simply put, PSCAD
• Current control is the professional’s tool for electromagnetic transient’s
• Damping Oscillations simulation. PSCAD comes with a comprehensive library of
• Transient and Dynamic stability models encompassing all aspects of AC and DC power
• Voltage Stability systems and controls. If we need a model that is not in the
• Fault current limiting. PSCAD library, we can create your own model and libraries
using the built-in graphical Component Workshop. PSCAD
supports models written in FORTRAN/C/C++, so constructing
models is easy. Engineers working with circuits consisting of
power electronic switches such as thyristors and GTOs will

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 2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

benefit from PSCAD’s Interpolated Network Solution. This PSCAD is a multi-purpose power system simulator and
permits study of circuits that would be impractical or almost can thus be used for any scenario where a detailed
impossible to simulate using other tools, and ensures a highly understanding of the full time domain of analysis is beneficial.
accurate solution in the least amount of time. The size of a This includes the design and modeling of virtually any
circuit to be simulated is limited only by the resources of the electrical power system. PSCAD in used in the planning,
computer. PSCAD automatically resizes to give the optimum design and operational phases of power systems. It is also very
performance. PSCAD has many advanced features to boost prevalent in power system research around the world.
productivity, including intelligent data forms, interactive
control and feedback, up-to-date documentation of the circuit V. DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF POWER SYSTEM
along with plots and comments, context sensitive help,
hierarchical designs, and multiple levels of zooming. PSCAD Here the simple two bus system as shown in fig 2 is
enables you to design circuits in a fraction of the time you considered for investigate the effectiveness of the proposed
would otherwise spend with text-based or semi-graphical approach [3] – [5]. The system with three phase fault with out
tools. PSCAD is a fast, accurate and easy-to-use power system TCSC as shown in fig 3. The corresponding voltage waveform
simulator for the design and verification of all types of power and the current waveform are shown in fig 7, fig 8 and fig 9;
systems. For power quality studies, power electronic design, the maximum system voltage is 300V and damping distortion
distributed generation and transmission planning, PSCAD time is 0.35. When one TCSC is connected to transmission
improves our power system performance and reliability [9]. line of the two bus system as shown in fig 10, the system
voltage is reduced to 250V and the damping distortion time
B. Applications reduced to 0.32sec. The voltage and current waveforms are
PSCAD becomes an indispensable tool for a variety shown in fig 14, fig 15and fig 16. When two TCSC is applied
of power system designs and studies. It is a multi-purpose tool. the two bus system as shown in fig 17, the system voltage is
It is equally capable in the areas of power electronic design reduced to 240V and the damping distortion time reduced to
and simulation, power quality analysis, and electrical utility 0.31sec. The voltage and current waveforms are shown in fig
system planning studies. 21 and fig 22.

As electrical power and power electronic systems Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]
become more prevalent in electric vehicles, ships, trains, and 100.0 [MVA]
V Ph 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz]
distributed generation system, the need for easy-to-use and
accurate simulation and modeling tools becomes ever more SUBSTATION 1 100.0 km SUBSTATION 2
important. It is easier and much less expensive to design and TLine
optimize electrical devices and systems prior to prototyping or 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz] Ph V
manufacturing. Thus, PSCAD is becoming a true Power 100.0 [MVA]
V1 V2
System Computer Aided Design tool for a variety of industry Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]
applications. PSCAD users include engineers and Figure 2 Design of simple power system PSCAD model
technologists from energy utilities, electrical equipment
manufacturers, engineering consulting firms, research and
Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]
academic institutions. The applications of PSCAD are listed 5000.0 [MVA]
below. V Ph 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz]
SUBSTATION 1 100.0 km SUBSTATION 2
TLine
• To investigate power system instabilities created by
harmonic resonance or control system interactions. 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz] Ph V
5000.0 [MVA]
• To perform insulation co-ordination studies. Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]
V1 V2

• To design and simulate variable speed drives of many Timed

Fault
types including cyclo-converters and electric vehicle ABC->G Logic
and ship propulsion system drives.
• To design industrial systems, such as compensation Figure 3 System with fault
controllers, power electronic drives, electric furnaces V1
and filters. V2
• To study the transient and harmonic impact of V1A
1 1 V2A
distributed generation systems such as wind and
V1a V2a
micro-turbine systems on the power grid.
2 V1B 2 V2B
• To study and mitigate capacitor switching transients.
V1b V2b
• To study the system impact of transmission line
3 V1C 3 V2C
imbalances during contingency periods.
V1c V2c

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 2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

Figure 4 Figure 5 Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]

5000.0 [MVA]
V Ph 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz]
SUBSTATION 1 100.0 km SUBSTATION 2
TLine
10000.0
230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz] Ph V
5000.0 [MVA]
V1 V2

1 .0
Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°]

Timed Com.
Fault Bus
Figure 6 ABC->G Logic AM
VOLTAGE 1 GM
V1a V1b V1c
400
300
200
AO
100
KB
0 6 Pulse
y

-100 Bridge
-200
-300 TIME
0.160 0.180 0.200 0.220 0.240 0.260 0.280 0.300 0.320 0.340 0.360 .
.
.
Figure 10 Systems with TCSC
Figure 7 Voltages at Bus Bar 1 V1 V2

VOLTAGE 2
1 V1A 1 V2A
400
V2a V2b V2c V1a V2a
300 2 V1B 2 V2B
200 V1b V2b
100
3 V1C 3 V2C
0
y

-100 V1c V2c

-200 Figure 11 Figure 12
-300
0.150 0.175 0.200 0.225 0.250 0.275 0.300 0.325 0.350 0.375 .
.
.

Figure 8 Voltages at Bus Bar 2

FAULT CURRENT
Ia Ib Ic
10.0
8.0 Figure 13
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
y

-2.0 VOLTAGE 1
-4.0
-6.0 V1a V1b V1c
300
-8.0
200
0.180 0.200 0.220 0.240 0.260 0.280 0.300 0.320 0.340 .
. 100
.
0
y

Figure 9 Fault Current -100

-200
-300
0.150 0.175 0.200 0.225 0.250 0.275 0.300 0.325 0.350 .
.
.

Figure 14 Voltages at Bus Bar 1

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 2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

VOLTAGE 2 V1
V2a V2b V2c V2
250
200
150 1 V1A
100 1 V2A
50 V1a
0 V2a
-50 2 V1B
y

-100 2 V2B
-150 V1b V2b
-200
-250 3 V1C 3 V2C
0.150 0.175 0.200 0.225 0.250 0.275 0.300 0.325 0.350 0.375 V1c V2c
Figure 18 Figure 19

Figure 15 Voltages at Bus Bar 2

FAULT CURRENT
Ia Ib Ic
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
y

-2.0
-4.0 Figure 20
-6.0
-8.0
0.180 0.200 0.220 0.240 0.260 0.280 0.300 0.320 0.340 VOLTAGE 1
V1a V1b V1c
300
Figure 16 Fault Current 200
Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°] 100
5000.0 [MVA] 0
V Ph 230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz]
y

SUBSTATION 1 SUBSTATION 2 -100

100.0 km
TLine -200
10000.0 10000.0
230.0 [kV], 60.0 [Hz] V1 V2 Ph V -300
1 .0

1 .0

5000.0 [MVA] Com. 0.150 0.175 0.200 0.225 0.250 0.275 0.300 0.325 0.350 .
Z1 = 52.9 [ohm] /_ 80.0 [°] Bus .
AM .
GM
Timed Figure 21 Voltages at Bus Bar 2
Fault
ABC->G Logic

AO VOLTAGE 2
Com. KB V2a V2b V2c
Bus 6 Pulse 300
AM Bridge
200
GM
100
TIME
0
y

-100
AO -200
KB -300
6 Pulse
Bridge 0.160 0.180 0.200 0.220 0.240 0.260 0.280 0.300 0.320 0.340 .
.
.
TIME
Figure 22 Voltages at Bus Bar 2

Figure 17 Systems with Two Series TCSC Module

ANALYSIS:
Three phase fault
Time to apply fault = 0.2sec
Duration of fault = 0.1 sec

WITHOUT TCSC:
Maximum Voltage V1 about 300 V
Maximum Voltage V2 about 300 V
Damping of Distortions at 0.35 sec

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 2013 International Conference on Power, Energy and Control (ICPEC)

VI. CONCLUSION
WITH TCSC: In this paper, an efficient PSCAD based simulation
Maximum Voltage V1 about 250 V using TCSC has been solved the power oscillation damping
Maximum Voltage V2 about 250 V problem. TCSC is very necessary when National Grid is
Damping of Distortions at 0.32 sec formed, to channel the power properly with firing angle
control mechanism. By controlling the firing angle of the
WITH TWO SERIES TCSC: thyristor valve from 180 degree to lower values the effective
Maximum Voltage V1 about 240 V impedance of the TCSC can be varied from capacitor
Maximum Voltage V2 about 240 V impedance to 3 times the capacitor impedance. During power
Damping of Distortions at 0.31 sec oscillations the impedance can be varied very fast between the
capacitor impedance and the maximum impedance.
vca

A A A A A The TCSC consists of a number of series connected

1.0 1.0 1.0 0.1 1.0
vcb

B B B B B modules, each having capacitor bank with a parallel thyristor

1.0 1.0 0.1 1.0
controlled inductor that circulates current pulses which add in
vcc

C C C C C
g1
1.0 1.0 0.1 1.0
phase with the line current. If the additional voltage created by
BRK

the circulating current pulses is controlled to be proportional

T1
C
A

B
B

A
Power

Power

to the line current, the transmission system will perceive the

Q

Q
P

TCSC as having a virtually increased reactance beyond the

1 .0

1 .0

1 .0

T2

g2 g3
physical reactance of the capacitor. Thus TCSC is an effective
of impedance control to transmit more power. Also it is a
T3

powerful means of damping power swings at the transient and

dynamic basis. The proposed approach is tested in simple two
bus system and results are shown.
T4

g4 g5

VII. REFERENCES
T5
T6

[1] Chi-Shan Yu; Chih Wen Liu " A practical design of TCSC controllers
g6 for the inter-area transient stability control using real-time
measurements”, Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting, IEEE
Figure 23 Electric Systems with a Circuit Breaker Using TCSC Volume: 1 , Page(s): 661 - 666 vol.1 , 1999.
ACTIVE POWER [2] Dubey G. K, Doradla S. R, Joshi A and Sinha R. M. K, “Thyristor
2.0k
P1 Power Controllers”, New Age International Publishers, 2005.
0.0 [3] Fan L, Feliachi A and Schoder K, “Selection and design of A TCSC
-2.0k control signal in damping power system inter-area oscillations for
-4.0k multiple operating conditions.” Electrical Power & Energy Systs., vol-
-6.0k 62, pp. 127-137, 2002.
y

-8.0k [4] Jaewon Chang , Troy NY, Chow J.H."Time-optimal series capacitor
-10.0k control for damping interarea modes in interconnected power systems”,
-12.0k IEEE Power & Energy Society, Volume: 12 , Issue: 1 Page(s): 215 –
-14.0k
221,1997.
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 .
.
.
[5] Klein M, Rogers G. J and Kundur P, “A Fundamental Study of Inter-
Area Oscillations in Power Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Power
Figure 24 Active Power Systems, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 914-921, 1991.
[6] Mathur R. M, Verma R. K, "Thyristor based FACTS controllers for
REACTIVE POWER
electrical transmission systems", IEEE Press, 2002, pp 277-288.
0.2k
Q1 [7] Misra S. C, Prashar V. K, Jha I. S, Seema Gupta and Thiagarajan V,
“TCSC – Major role to play synchronous interconnections between two
0.0
regions”, 11th NPSC, India, 2000.
-0.2k
[8] Narain G. Hingorani and Laszlo Gyugyi,, “Understanding FACTS,”
-0.4k Standard Publishers Distributors, 2001.
KW

-0.6k [9] Olimpo Anaya-Lara and Acha E, “Modelling and Analysis of Custom
-0.8k Power Systems by PSCAD/EMTDC”, IEEE Transaction on power
-1.0k delivery, Vol 12, No. 1, pp. 266-272, Jan 2002..
-1.2k
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 .
.
.

Figure 25 Reactive Power

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