MITIGATION OF VOLTAGE STABILITY PROBLEMS

The following methods can be used to mitigate voltage stability problems.

MUST-RUN GENERATION: Operate uneconomic generators to change power flows or provide voltage support during emergencies or when new lines or transformers are delayed.

SERIES CAPACITORS: Use series capacitors to effectively shorten long lines, thus decreasing the net reactive loss. In addition, the line can deliver more reactive power from a strong system at one end to one experiencing a reactive shortage at the other end.

SHUNT CAPACITORS: Though the heavy use of shunt capacitors can be part of the voltage stability problem, sometimes additional capacitors can also solve the problem by freeing “spinning reactive reserve” in generators. In general, most of the required reactive power should be supplied locally, with generators supplying primarily active power.

STATIC VAR COMPENSATORS (SVC): SVCs, the modern counterpart to the synchronous condenser, are effective in controlling voltage and preventing voltage collapse, but have very definite limitations that must be recognized. Voltage collapse is likely in systems heavily dependent on SVCs when a disturbance exceeding planning criteria takes SVCs to ceiling.

OPERATE AT HIGHER VOLTAGES: Operating at higher voltage may not increase reactive reserves, but does decrease reactive demand. As such, it can help keep generators away from reactive power limits, and thus help operators maintain control of voltage. The comparison of receiving end Q–V curves for two sending end voltages shows the value of higher voltages.

UNDER-VOLTAGE LOAD SHEDDING: A small load reduction, even 5 to 10%, can make the difference between collapse and survival. Manual load shedding is used today for this purpose (some utilities use distribution voltage reduction via SCADA), though it may be too slow to be effective in the case of a severe reactive shortage. Inverse-time under-voltage relays are not widely used, but can be very effective. In a radial load situation, load shedding should be based on primary side voltage. In a steady-state stability problem, the load shed in the receiving system will be most effective even though voltages may be lowest near the electrical center (though shedding load in the vicinity of the lowest voltage may be more easily accomplished, and will be helpful).

LOWER POWER FACTOR GENERATORS: Where new generation is close enough to reactive-short areas or areas that may occasionally demand large reactive reserves, a .80 or .85 power factor generator may sometimes be appropriate. However, shunt capacitors with a higher power factor generator having reactive overload capability, may be more flexible and economic.

USE GENERATOR REACTIVE OVERLOAD CAPABILITY: Generators should be used as effectively as possible. Overload capability of generators and exciters may be used to delay voltage collapse until operators can change dispatch or curtail load when reactive overloads are modest. To be most useful, reactive overload capability must be defined in advance, operators trained in its use, and protective devices set so as not to prevent its use.

Comments

PRIMARY SECONDARY AND TERTIARY FREQUENCY CONTROL IN POWER SYSTEMS

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Frequency Control in Power Systems Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Keywords: frequency control, primary frequency control, automatic generation control (AGC), tertiary control, load-frequency control, grid stability. Frequency control keeps the power grid stable by balancing generation and load. When generation and demand drift apart, system frequency moves away from its nominal value (50 or 60 Hz). Grids rely on three hierarchical control layers — Primary , Secondary (AGC), and Tertiary — to arrest frequency deviation, restore the set-point and optimize generation dispatch. Related: Power System Stability — causes & mitigation Overview of primary, secondary and tertiary frequency control in power systems. ⚡ Primary Frequency Control (Droop Control) Primary control is a fast, local response implemented by generator governors (dro...

CASCADED TRANSFORMERS METHOD FOR GENERATING AC HIGH VOLTAGE

High-Frequency AC High Voltage Generation Using Cascaded Transformers Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Figure 1: Infographic representation of cascaded transformers method for generating high AC voltages. Introduction In high voltage engineering , generating very high alternating current (AC) voltages is essential for testing equipment like insulators, circuit breakers, power cables, and other apparatus. One common and effective method for producing such voltages is the cascaded transformers method . This technique uses a series connection of specially designed test transformers , where the secondary of one transformer feeds the primary of the next. In this way, voltages are built up step by step, achieving levels in the range of hundreds of kilovolts (kV) or even megavolts (MV). Working Principle The principle of cascaded connection relies on the fact that each...

ADVANTAGES OF INTERCONNECTED GRID SYSTEM

Interconnected Grid System: Working, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Comparison with Isolated Grids Author: Engr. Aneel Kumar Figure 1: Infographic showing key advantages of an interconnected grid system. Introduction An interconnected grid system refers to a network of multiple power generation sources, transmission lines, substations, and distribution systems that are linked across regions, states, or even countries. Unlike an isolated grid (or islanded grid) which operates independently, an interconnected grid allows electricity to flow between interconnected nodes, enabling numerous benefits and some trade-offs. In today’s energy landscape—where demand, renewable generation, reliability, and cost pressure are all increasing—understanding how an interconnected grid works, what factors are essential, and what its advantages and disadvantages are is critical for utility planners, reg...

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CORONA EFFECT IN TRANSMISSION LINES | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING GUIDE

Advantages and Disadvantages of Corona Effect in Power Systems In high-voltage overhead transmission lines , the corona effect plays a critical role in system performance. Corona occurs when the air around a conductor becomes ionized due to high electric stress. While often seen as a drawback because of power losses and interference , it also provides certain engineering benefits . This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of corona effect in detail, with examples relevant to modern electrical power systems. ✅ Advantages of Corona Effect Increase in Virtual Conductor Diameter Due to corona formation, the surrounding air becomes partially conductive, increasing the virtual diameter of the conductor. This reduces electrostatic stress between conductors and minimizes insulation breakdown risks. Related Reading: Electrostatic Fields in High Voltage Engineering Reduction of Transient Surges Corona acts like a natural cushion for sudden ...

Advantages of Per Unit System in Power System Analysis | Electrical Engineering

Advantages of Per Unit System in Power System Analysis In electrical power engineering, the per unit (p.u.) system is one of the most widely used techniques for analyzing and modeling power systems. It is a method of expressing electrical quantities — such as voltage, current, power, and impedance — as fractions of chosen base values rather than their actual numerical magnitudes. This normalization technique provides a universal language for system calculations, minimizing errors, simplifying transformer modeling, and enabling consistency across multiple voltage levels. Because of these benefits, the per unit system is essential in fault analysis, load flow studies, transformer testing, and short-circuit calculations . ⚡ What is the Per Unit System? The per unit system is defined as: Q u a n t i t y ( p u ) = A c t u a l V a l u e B a s e V a l u e Quantity_{(pu)} = \dfrac{Actual \ Value}{Base \ Value} Q u an t i t y ( p u ) = B a se ...

FACTORS AFFECTING BATTERY PERFORMANCE

Batteries have limited life, usually showing a slow degradation of capacity until they reach 80 percent of their initial rating, followed by a comparatively rapid failure. Regardless of how or where a UPS is deployed, and what size it is, there are four primary factors that affect battery life: ambient temperature, battery chemistry, cycling and service. 1) AMBIENT TEMPERATURE The rated capacity of a battery is based on an ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F). It’s important to realize that any variation from this operating temperature can alter the battery’s performance and shorten its expected life. To help determine battery life in relation to temperature, remember that for every 8.3°C (15°F) average annual temperature above 25°C (77°F), the life of the battery is reduced by 50 percent. 2) BATTERY CHEMISTRY UPS batteries are electro-chemical devices whose ability to store and deliver power slowly decreases over time. Even if you follow all the guidelines for proper storage, us...

AC Transmission Line and Reactive Power Compensation: A Detailed Overview

Introduction The efficient operation of modern power systems depends significantly on the management of AC transmission lines and reactive power. Reactive power compensation is a vital technique for maintaining voltage stability, improving power transfer capability, and reducing system losses. This article explores the principles of AC transmission lines, the need for reactive power compensation, and its benefits in power systems. Keywords: Reactive Power Compensation Benefits, STATCOM vs SVC Efficiency, Power Transmission Stability Solutions, Voltage Stability in Long-Distance Grids, Dynamic Reactive Power Compensation. Fundamentals of AC Transmission Lines AC transmission lines are the backbone of modern power systems, connecting generation stations to distribution networks. They have distributed electrical parameters such as resistance ( R R R ), inductance ( L L ), capacitance ( C C ), and conductance ( G G ) along their length. These parameters influence ...

ENGINEERING ARTICLES

Search This Blog