Abstract:
American Electric Power (AEP) engineers have developed a Reactive Power Controller (RPC) which attempts to optimize the performance of a nearby Dynamic Reactive power compensation Device (DRD), most typically some Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device. The need to accomplish this task arises based upon the behavior of the DRD. Most of the AEP installed DRDs operate as voltage regulation devices, assuming the DRDs have the reserve capacity to perform the task. When holding system voltage constant, typical Static Shunt connected Devices (SSDs) are unable to perform their normal automatic
switching based on their common voltage bandwidth control function. Additionally, only when the DRD exhausts all reserve capacity can the common voltage bandwidth control function operate to control SSDs. This is most often not sufficient to gain optimal performance from an asset designed to assist with dynamic system events, therefore, the RPC was conceived. The RPC coordinates SSDs by monitoring two system parameters, voltage and reactive power flow from the DRD, and taking action based upon their behavior. The device then chooses the most logical SSD to respond to the system problem with. Erroneous behavior, unique circumstances, and contingency scenarios are also considered. Having the
RPC control SSDs allows the DRD to become offloaded from responding to normal system voltage deviations occurring from everyday loading variations. In offloading the DRD, the full range capacity of the DRD is available to respond to dynamic system events, like faults and swings. In this way, the performance of the DRD is optimized.
Z. Campbell, K. Andov, Presented at Grid of the Future Symposium 2014 - Houston, Texas, United States, October 19 - 21, 2014, paper 2014-17
KEYWORDS: Reactive Power Controller, FACTS, Automation, Reactive Power Compensation