Modeling of SVC for Load Flow Analysis

Background
Flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) are based on the incorporation of power
electronic devices into the high voltage (usually above 100 kV) power system networks.
Typical FACTS devices are Static VAR Compensator (SVC), Thyristor-Controlled Series
Compensator (TCSC), Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), etc. FACTS
devices are widely present in today’s transmission networks [1].
Shunt-connected FACTS devices such as SVC are adopted to control the bus voltage
magnitude or the reactive power injected at the bus. For example, in the Lolland-Falster
distribution system in East Denmark, due to the connection of the 165.6 MW Nysted
offshore wind farm (based on fixed-speed wind turbine technology), a SVC is installed to
improve the voltage regulation and voltage stability at the 132 kV substation.
Objective
The main objective of this project is to implement the steady-state characteristic (droop
characteristic) of a SVC as shown in Fig. 1 into a simulation model of 132kV/50kV
Lolland-Falster distribution network for power flow analysis. An understanding of how a
SVC can improve the system voltage quality due to the time-varying wind power
injection is obtained.

Fig. 1.. Diagram (left) and steady-state characteristic (right) of a SVC.

This project is also to improve and deepen the students’ knowledge in steady-state power
system analysis and FACTS devices, which are essential for students majoring in the area
of power system analysis.
Project Description
The tasks of the project are listed as follows. The algorithm should be implemented in
MATLAB.
1. Understand Newton-Raphson based load flow algorithm in MATLAB
2. Implement a simulation model of the Lolland distribution network for load flow
analysis
3. Study steady-state characteristic of SVC
 4. Implement existing algorithms for including SVC in the load flow calculation and
study their limitations [2], [3].
a. When SVC operates within limits
b. When SVC operates on the limits
5. Develop a more efficient algorithm to implement SVC in the load flow algorithm.
6. Implement the developed SVC load flow algorithm in the simulation model of the
Lolland-Falster network.

References
[1] E. Acha, C.R. Fuerte-Esquivel, H. Ambriz-Perez and C. Angeles-Camacho, FACTS:
Modelling and Simulation in Power Networks. John Wiley & Sons, England, 2004.
[2] CIGRE Working Group 38-01, Task Force No. 2 on SVC, “Static var compensators,”
I.A. Erinmez, Ed., 1986.
[3] P. Chen, Z. Chen, B. Bak-Jensen, “Comparison of steady-state SVC models in load
flow calculations”, 43rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference.
University of Padova, 2008.

Target Students
2nd Semester (M.Sc.) students in Electrical Power Systems and High Voltage Engineering
(EPSH) and Wind Power Systems (WPS). Other students who are interested in the topic
and familiar with MATLAB are also encouraged to apply.

Contact
Peiyuan Chen
Email: pch@iet.aau.dk
Phone: 9940 9289
Office: Pon 109, room 9