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Discover the World of

FACTS Technology
Technical Compendium

Answers for energy.

Contents

Chapter Theme Page

1 Facts on FACTS – Theory and Applications 3

1.1 FACTS – What and why? 3

1.2 FACTS for supplying power – Now and in the future 3

1.3 Tasks of FACTS devices 3

2 Basics 4

2.1 Reactive power compensation 4

3 Parallel and Series 5

4 Parallel Compensation 6

4.1 Technology, theory, and basics 6

4.2 Mechanically switched compensation devices 7

4.3 SVC – Static VAR Compensator 8

4.4 SVC PLUS (STATCOM) 16

5 Series Compensation 17

5.1 Technology, theory, and basics 17

5.2 Types 17

5.3 Layout 20

6 Protection and Control 21

6.1 Hardware for control and protection 21

6.2 Human Machine Interface  21

7 Converters for FACTS 22

7.1 LTT – Light Triggered Thyristors 22

8 Complete Solutions 23

2
1 Facts on FACTS –
Theory and Applications
1.1 FACTS – What and why? As a world leader in the power transmission and
FACTS is the acronym for Flexible AC Transmission distribution industry, Siemens has developed a
Systems and refers to a group of resources used to number of modern, flexible, high-capacity FACTS
overcome certain limitations in the static and dynamic for efficiently and reliably regulating voltage,
transmission capacity of electrical networks. impedance, and phase angle when transmitting
power over high-voltage lines.
The IEEE defines FACTS as “alternating current trans-
mission systems incorporating power-electronics- FACTS provide
based and other static controllers to enhance control- ■■ fastvoltage regulation,
lability and power transfer capability.” ■■ increased power transfer over long AC lines,
■■ damping of active power oscillations, and
The main purpose of these systems is to supply the ■■ load flow control in meshed systems,
network as quickly as possible with inductive or thereby significantly improving the stability and
capacitive reactive power that is adapted to its partic- performance of existing and future transmission
ular requirements, while also improving transmission systems.
quality and the efficiency of the power transmission
system. This means that with FACTS, power companies will
be able to better utilize their existing transmission
1.2 FACTS for supplying power – networks, substantially increase the availability and
Now and in the future reliability of their line networks, and improve both
The inevitable globalization and liberalization of dynamic and transient network stability while ensur-
energy markets associated with growing deregulation ing a better quality of supply.
and privatization are increasingly resulting in bottle-
necks, uncontrolled load flows, instabilities, and even 1.3 Tasks of FACTS devices
power transmission failures. Power supplies are FACTS systems perform the following tasks:
increasingly dependent on distributed power plants ■■ Control voltage under various load conditions
with higher voltage levels, a greater exchange within ■■ Balance reactive power
meshed systems, and transport to large load centers (voltage, transmission losses)
over what are often long distances. This type of power ■■ Increase the stability of power transmission
transmission must be implemented safely and cost- over long distances
effectively with a view to the future. ■■ Increase active power stability

Implementing new transmission systems and com-

ponents is a long-term strategy for meeting these
challenges. Over the short and medium term,
modern transmission technologies can be employed
at comparatively little expense to rectify or minimize
bottlenecks and substantially improve the quality
of supply. Often, this makes it possible to postpone
investing in new plants and, as a result, to achieve
critical advantages over the competition – especially
important in de-regulated energy markets in which
power supply companies are subject to extreme
pricing pressure.

3
 2 Basics

∆V V2 = V1 – ∆V

∆V
I

X ∆V

V1 V2 V1 V2 V1 V2

I I

(ind.) (cap.)

Fig. 2.1: Influence of reactive power flow on system voltage

2.1 Reactive power compensation 2.1.1 Effects of reactive power flow

Consumer load requires reactive power that varies Reactive power flow has the following effects:
continuously and increases transmission losses while ■■ Increase in transmission system losses
affecting voltage in the transmission network. To – Adding to power plant installations
prevent unacceptably high voltage fluctuations or – Adding to operating costs
the power failures that can result, this reactive power ■■ Major influence on system voltage deviation
must be compensated and kept in balance. – Degradation of load performance
at undervoltage
This function has always been performed by passive – Risk of insulation breakdown at overvoltage
elements such as reactors or capacitors, as well as ■■ Limitation of power transfer
combinations of the two, that supply inductive or ■■ Steady-state and dynamic stability limits
capacitive reactive power.

The more quickly and precisely the reactive power

compensation can be accomplished, the more effi-
ciently the various transmission characteristics can
be controlled. For this reason, slow mechanically
switched components have been almost completely
replaced by fast thyristor-switched and thyristor-
controlled components.

4
3 Parallel and Series

Type Short- Trans- Steady-state Voltage Application

circuit level mission voltage after load
phase angle rejection

nearly slightly increased high voltage

unchanged increased stabilization
at heavy load

MSC

nearly slightly decreased low voltage

unchanged increased stabilization
at light load

MSR

nearly controlled controlled limited fast voltage

unchanged by control control
SVC reactive
power control
Static VAR
damping of
compensator power swings

Fig. 3.1 shows today’s most common shunt compensation devices, their influence
on the most important transmission parameters, and typical applications

FACTS are divided into two categories,

determined by the way in which they are
connected to the power system.
P
A distinction is made between parallel
compensation (which continues to be the
most common) and series compensation
(Fig. 3.2). U1 δ1 U2 δ2

G~ G~

U1 U2
P= sin (δ1 – δ2)
X

Series Parallel Load-flow

compensation: compensation: control
Fig. 3.2: The active power/ FSC, TPSC, TCSC SVC
transmission angle equation
illustrates which FACTS components
selectively influence which
transmission parameters

5
 4 Parallel Compensation

4.1 Technology, theory, and basics The 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th harmonics are charac-
Parallel (between a bus bar and ground) reactive teristic of TCRs and are especially dominant, but
power compensation can be used to selectively maximum magnitudes decrease very fast with
influence important transmission parameters. increasing harmonic numbers. The occurrence and
Parallel capacitor banks support the voltage under effect of the intermediate, noncharacteristic harmonics,
heavy load conditions. This protection can increase in contrast, are much less pronounced. The magnitude
maximum transmittable power, regulate the voltage and the occurence of harmonics in a TCR branch are
profile, and prevent voltage instability. Parallel reac- given in Fig. 4.1.
tors prevent overvoltages under low load conditions.
The key components of a parallel reactive power 4.1.2 Filter branches
compensation system are thyristor-switched capaci- Filters serve to absorb harmonics. The number of filter
tors (TSCs) and thyristor-controlled reactors (TCRs), branches and their resonance tuning frequency depend
which can be supplemented with filter branches as on the basic design of the Static VAR Compensator
needed. (SVC) and the harmonic distortions in the system.
Filters can be tuned either to a single frequency or
4.1.1 Harmonics to multiple frequencies simultaneously. High-pass
Harmonics are whole multiples of the fundamental and low-pass filters can also be used. Filters are
frequency (50 Hz/60 Hz) that are superimposed on connected to the bus bar via circuit-breakers to
it. Harmonics cause the system voltage to deviate absorb their harmonics where they are generated.
periodically from the sinusoidal shape, resulting
in voltage distortion. Harmonics are caused by
devices with non-sinusoidal power input, including
power converters, frequency converters, rectifiers
and TCRs. A high harmonic content in the voltage of
an electrical network can result in an unacceptable
temperature rise in electric machines and a voltage
increase in capacitor banks.

ITCR 1.0
[pu]

0.8

0.6

0.4 ν = 1

0.2 ν = 3
ν = 5
ν = 7
0
90° 120° 150° 180°

firing angle of valve

Fig. 4.1: Harmonics typical

of a thyristor-controlled reactor

6
 MSC/MSR SVC SVC PLUS® (STATCOM)
Mechanically Switched Capacitors/ Static VAR Compensator Static Compensator
Reactors

Switchgear Thyristor Valve(s) IGBT (GTO) Valves

Capacitors Control & Protection Control & Protection
Reactors Transformer Transformer
Capacitors DC Capacitors
Reactors

52 ≤ kV ≤ 765 52 ≤ kV ≤ 765 52 ≤ kV ≤ 765

~ 50 ≤ MVAr ≤ 500 Control range: ~ 50 ≤ MVAr ≤ 1000 Control range: ~ 50 ≤ MVAr ≤ 500

a b
Further details can be found
in separate SVC PLUS® brochure.

Fig. 4.2: Shunt-connected FACTS devices

4.2 Mechanically switched compensation devices 4.2.2 MSR – Mechanically Switched Reactor
Mechanically Switched Reactors (MSRs) have exactly
4.2.1 MSC – Mechanically Switched Capacitor the opposite effect, and are therefore preferable for
Mechanically Switched Capacitors (MSCs) are achieving stabilization under low load conditions,
a simple and low-speed solution for voltage control or at the end of long, radial AC lines.
and network stabilization under heavy load condi-
tions. Their utilization has almost no effect on the
short-circuit level, while it increases the voltage at
the point of connection.

Key data of systems implemented:

UN ≤ 765 kV
QN ≤ 500 MVAr

7
 4.2.3 MSCDN – Mechanically Switched Capacitor When system voltage is low, the SVC generates
with Damping Network capacitive reactive power. When system voltage
As a more highly developed form of mechanically is high, it absorbs inductive reactive power.
switched capacitor, the MSC with an additional
damping circuit provides essentially voltage support The reactive power is changed by switching on
without increasing existing system harmonics. three-phase capacitor and reactor banks connected
to the secondary side of the transformer. Each
4.3 SVC – Static VAR Compensator capacitor bank is switched on and off by thyristor
SVCs are a quick and reliable means of controlling valves (TSC). Reactors can be either switched (TSR)
voltage on transmission lines. With average response or controlled (TCR). The main components of an
times ranging from 30 to 40 ms, SVCs are much SVC are shown in Fig. 4.4.
faster than conventional mechanically switched
reactors and capacitors (100 to 150 ms) and can
also be used to actively damp power oscillations. Key data of systems implemented:

UN ≤ 765 kV
U N, f QN ≤ 1000 MVAr

CH 4.3.1 Tasks of static compensation systems

Static compensation systems perform the following
tasks:
■■ Stabilize voltage
■■ Control dynamic reactive power
CL
■■ Improve transient stability
■■ Damp active power oscillations
R ■■ Increase power transfer capability
■■ Balance system voltages
L
The design and configuration of an SVC, including
the size of the installation, operating conditions,
and losses, depend on individual circumstances and
the tasks to be performed.

Fig. 4.3: Simplified single line of an MSCDN

Fig. 4.4: The SVC system combines various
components as a function of the individual
conditions in the power system to be optimized

HV

1 Step-down transformer
2 LV bus bar 1
3 Control
LV 2
4 Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR)
5 Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC)
6 Fixed Filter Circuit (FC)

3 4 5 6

8
4.3.2 V/I characteristic 4.3.3 Losses
The design of the TCR/TSR and TSC modules is deter- In Fig. 4.6, the compensator losses (P/Sr) are plotted
mined by the desired current-voltage characteristic as a function of compensator reactive output (Q/Sr)
of the SVC. An SVC specification sets limits for modes for two different compensator arrangements. The
of operation on the system side (Fig. 4.5). mean losses of configuration (a), which consists of
a TCR combined with a Fixed Filter Circuit (FC), are
distinctly higher in important operating ranges than
those of the configuration with TCR, FC, and TSCs,
represented by curve (b). If compensator losses in
specific operating ranges are estimated to be high,
a TCR/TSC combination may prove more advanta-
geous economically than a TCR/FC combination.

P
= p er-unit losses
VHV Sr
1.3 Q P
= per-unit reactive
Restriction Sr
power of compensator
Sr
pu
to 150 MVAr
2% 1.1 10% Sr = rated reactive
p ower of compensator 0.01
1.0 5%
Capacitive 5% Inductive
2%
design point 10% design point a
at 0.95 pu at 1.02 pu

VBase = 400 kV
0.05
0.5 IBase = 100 MVA

Continuous
Minimum b
operation
operating Restricted
voltage operation

Q
–2.0 –1.5 –1.0 –0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 IHV [pu] –1.0 –0.8 –0.6 –0.4 –0.2 0.0 0.2 Sr

Cap. Range Ind. Range Cap. Range Ind. Range

Fig. 4.5: V/I operating diagram of an SVC (HV side) Fig. 4.6: Comparison of losses as a function
of the reactive power output at the SVC

a b
TCR + FC 2 TSCs + TCR + 2 FC

9
 I I

VC
Vsys Vsys

Vsys

VC I90
I
Vsys Ifund

α = 90° I120
blocking switch-in
α = 120°

Fig. 4.7: Voltages and current of a TSC branch during Fig. 4.8: Harmonics of voltages and currents of a TCR branch
valve conduction and blocking during valve conduction and blocking ( shows the content
of fundamental current of a control angle of 120°)

4.3.4 Thyristor-switched and 4.3.4.1 TSC – Thyristor Switched Capacitor

thyristor-controlled devices (Fast VARs) Due to transient phenomena at switch-on, TSCs are
One of the most common FACTS components not continuously controlled but instead are always
is the parallel static VAR compensator (SVC). switched on and off individually as required by the
Normally, a SVC is a combination of one or system. Consequently, a TSC cannot inject a reactive
more of the following branches: current with variable amplitude into the system,
■■ TSC: Thyristor Switched Capacitor meaning that it supplies either maximum reactive
■■ TSR: Thyristor Switched Reactor current or none at all. Through the precise triggering
■■ TCR: Thyristor Controlled Reactor of thyristor valves, most of the transient phenomena
■■ FC: Fixed Filter Circuit at switch-on can be avoided. TSC branches do not
(single-, double- or triple-tuned) generate harmonic distortions.

4.3.4.2 TCR – Thyristor Controlled Reactor

TCRs are used to continuously regulate the inductive
reactive power from zero to the maximum, depend-
ing on the requirements, by means of current.

They do not generate transients; at the increased

fitting angles (above 90°), however, they do generate
harmonic currents that must be absorbed by filters.

10
 TCR, FC TCR, TSC, FC TCR, TSC

Fig. 4.9: Typical SVC configurations

4.3.4.3 TSR – Thyristor Switched Reactor 4.3.5 Applications

In order to prevent all harmonic currents when The example 4.10 describes some of the many options
reactors are used, the reactors (like capacitors) available for reactive power compensation using static
can also serve as switches only, that is, as TSRs. compensators.

4.3.4.4 Configurations of SVCs A 600-km long, 500-kV double-circuit line interconnects

Fig. 4.9 shows some typical SVC configurations. three networks with a total load of 6700 MW (Fig. 4.10).
The selection of the individual configuration The charging power of the line is approximately 1300
depends on factors like investment costs, losses MVAr cap.; 45 percent of this power is compensated by
and availability figures. four shunt reactors of 150 MVAr ind. each.

A C B

SVC

Net 1 Net 2
300 km 300 km

5200 MW 1300 MW

Net 3

200 MW

Fig. 4.10: Block diagram of the 500-kV transmission system

11
 220 kV 300 km U2 Network

SVC

Voltage Voltage

without SVC with SVC

110 110

% %

100 100
0 10 s 0 10 s

Fig. 4.11: Temporary overvoltage in System 3 caused by load rejection at A

The reactive power of the compensated line varies When the double-circuit line between System 1 and
in operation by 500 MVAr ind. The excess reactive System 3 is switched off, the voltage rises in System
power of 700 MVAr cap. on no-load is reduced to 3 by 10 percent Un when one circuit is switched on
200 MVAr cap. with maximum power transmitted. without the SVC in service. With the SVC in service,
the rise in voltage is suppressed from a peak of
An SVC with a rating of ± 200 MVAr is connected 10 percent Un to 3 percent Un within only a few
at the middle of the transmission line. hundredths of a second and subsequently regulated
back to its original value (Fig. 4.11).
For technical and economic reasons, the line should
be operated under varying conditions at a constant
voltage that is as high as possible. This maximizes
the power that can be transmitted.
Matching the reactive power necessary to meet the
operating conditions is carried out by controlling the
500-kV transformers in Power Systems 1 and 2 at the
two ends of the lines. Such regulation is not possible
in the middle of the lines because Power System 3
has no generating stations. Here, the static compen-
sator can keep the voltage constant with practically
no delay. Sudden changes in the reactive power –
and thus also the voltage – are caused by switching
operations.

12
 Voltage Voltage

130 130

without SVC with SVC

120 120

110 110

100 100

0 10 s 0 10 s

line switched off in C line switched off in C

load rejection load rejection

Fig. 4.12: Temporary overvoltage in System 3 upon switching on one circuit of the double-circuit line System 1 – System 3 at C

A second case addresses the conditions occurring Fig. 4.13 shows the effects on system voltage at
during load rejection by opening both the circuits the end of a 220-kV line operating at full load (a),
at A. The voltage rises to 133 percent Un without at partial load (b), when a line segment fails at full
the SVC and, except for a short peak, rises to only load (c), and when there is a load rejection at the
120 percent Un with the SVC in service. end of the line, with and without an SVC (d).

a b c d

U2 1.3 a full load

U2N b off-peak load
c failure of a line section (full load)
1.2 d load rejection at line end

1.1

without compensator
1.0 with compensator

0.9

0.8

Fig. 4.13: Voltage ratios with/without SVC under different operating conditions
13
 200
P/MW capacitive POD
Voltage Voltage
control
control control

500
QSVC/
POD without MVAr
control SVC 2 4 6 8 10 s
250

200
inductive
0 2 4 6 8 10

a) Active power oscillation on OHTL b) SVC output reactive power

Fig. 4.14: Influence of the SVC with different control strategies

Siemens implemented an SVC system whose primary 4.3.6 Selecting the SVC configuration
task was to damp power oscillations resulting from Which SCV configuration will be chosen depends
a system fault followed by switching off the faulted on the application. Please see Fig. 4.15 for details.
line section. Fig. 4.14 shows the performance curve,
which is clearly stabilized following the installation of
two SVCs, each with a control range from +150 MVAr
(capacitive) to –75 MVAr (inductive).

Additional to voltage control, POD (power oscillation

damping) control is implemented.

Summary
SVCs can be used to perform a wide range of
compensation tasks in large transmission systems.
Requirements vary greatly and are sometimes
contradictory. The control system can be designed
so that priorities can be flexibly assigned to one
task or another, depending on current conditions
in the power system.

High Medium Low

Permissible losses TCR/FC TCR/TS MSR/MSC

Comb.

Dynamic TCR/FC TCR/TSC MSR/MSC

control range TCR/TSC MSR/MSC
Comb.

Permissible TCR/FC TCR/FC MSR/MSC

harmonic TCR/TSC TCR/TSC
distortion limits
Fig. 4.15: Selecting the SVC

14
 ILINE
POD FPOD POD EPOD Limit
evaluation controller and initial
value FAMref SVC ON/OFF
Slope

VHV~ +
System voltage VACT ∆Q + SVC ON/OFF BSVC
IHV~
evaluation – controller
+
+
Qref
+
QSVC ∆Q EQ Kp ∆B
QSVC Q
evaluation controller
– +
+
Vref

Gain Gain Stability

VHV
VHV controller selector controller
evaluation
Normal/
Emergency mode

Fig. 4.16: Control structure of an SVC (contains POD, voltage control and reactive power control)

4.3.7 Control engineering (software)

Siemens offers coordinated software solutions
tested in numerous applications for the control of:
■■ System voltage
■■ System voltage balancing
■■ SVC reactive power
■■ Power oscillation damping (POD)
■■ Gain of the controller for optimal reponse times
at various system configurations

15
 1

7
7
3 4

6 6

3 5
6

3 5

10

9
10

Fig. 4.17: Strathmore SVC, Australia (1 TCR/1TSC/3 Filter)

1 SVC transformer 7 Filter reactors

2 Transformer cooling 8 Filter circuit-breaker
4.4 SVC PLUS (STATCOM)
3 TCR reactors 9 Valve and
Please refer to the separate available 4 TSC capacitors control building
SVC PLUS brochure. 5 TSC reactors 10 Valve cooling
6 Filter capacitors

16
5 Series Compensation

5.1 Technology, theory, and basics 5.2 Types

The transmission of active power is mainly limited
by the impedance of the transmission line, com- 5.2.1 FSC – Fixed Series Capacitor
prising the ohmic resistance plus the capacitive and The simplest and most cost-effective type of series
inductive reactance. compensation is provided by Fixed Series Capacitors
(FSCs).
Tasks of series compensation
Series compensation provides the following benefits: FSCs comprise the actual capacitor banks and parallel
■■ Reduces line voltage drops arresters (Metal Oxide Varistors, MOVs), spark gaps,
■■ Limits load-dependent voltage drops and a bypass switch. The surge arresters protect
■■ Influences load flow in parallel transmission lines the capacitor from overvoltages during and after
■■ Increases transfer capability transmission system failures. The spark gap protects
■■ Reduces transmission angle the arrester against excessive energy absorption;
■■ Increases system stability the bypass switch, in turn, protects the spark gap.

For these tasks, Siemens offers various solutions Three high-voltage switches serve to integrate
that have already been proven in numerous the FSC into and isolate it from the transmission
applications. line (e.g., for maintenance purposes).

Key data of systems implemented:

UN ≤ 765 kV
QN ≤ 1500 MVAr

C1, C2 …
Series capacitor segments

MOV1, MOV2 …
ZnO Overvoltage protection

D1, D2 …
C1 C2 Damping circuit

SG1, SG2 …
Spark gap

CB1, CB2 …
MOV1 MOV2 Bypass circuit-breaker
D1 D2

SG1 SG2

CB1 CB2

Fig. 5.1: Main components and configuration of a Fixed Series Capacitor (FSC) with two segments
17
 1 Series capacitor
7 8 7
2 Thyristor valve as
fast bypass device
3 Current limiting reactor
1 4 MOV
5 Bypass circuit-breaker
6 Bypass damping reactor
7 Platform disconnects
with grounding switch
4
8 Bypass disconnect

3
2
6

Platform
5

Fig. 5.2: Main components and configuration of a TPSC installation

5.2.2 TPSC – Thyristor Protected Series Capacitor Key data of systems implemented:
When direct light triggered thyristors are used,
there is no need to install conventional spark gaps UN ≤ 500 kV
or surge arresters. Due to the very short cooling QN ≤ 401 MVAr
times of the Light Triggered Thyristor valves, thyristor-
protected series capacitors can be quickly returned
to service after a failure, allowing the transmission 5.2.3 TCSC – Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor
lines to be utilized to their maximum capacity. Reactive power compensation by means of thyristor-
controlled series capacitors (TCSCs) can be adapted
Fig. 5.3 shows the sequence of events for a thyristor- to a wide range of operating conditions. It is also
protected series capacitor (TPSC) when a fault occurs possible to control the current and thus the load flow
in the line segment in which the series capacitor in parallel transmission lines, which simultaneously
is operated. Whereas capacitor banks protected improves system stability. Further applications for
by conventional means often require several hours TCSCs include load oscillation damping and the
to cool after full energy absorption – and, conse- mitigation of Subsynchronous Resonance (SSR).
quently, until restart – the TPSC is fully operational
within a fraction of this time. The equivalent circuit diagram in Fig. 5.4 shows
the basic configuration, comprising a capacitor
With TPSCs, network operators can return to maxi- and a parallel thyristor-switched reactor.
mum power transmission faster and reduce the
follow-up costs that were previously unavoidable. Fig. 5.5 shows the operating range of a TCSC. By vari-
TPSCs are the first choice whenever transmission ation of the firing angle alfa, the effective impedance
lines must be returned to maximum carrying capacity of a TCSC can be varied. With alfa = 180°, the TCSC
as quickly as possible after a failure. impedance equals the capacitor impedance, at about
148°, it is three times the capacitor impedance. With
firing at alfa = 90° and higher, the TCSC provides an
inductive impedance.

18
 212 °C

TPSC valve
temperature 60 s after the 1st fault,
the valve temperature
rise is 2.2 K
50 °C

0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5

time/s
Thyristor
valve

Thyristor valve
bypass CB

Line
breaker

5 cycles time to auto-reclosure

Fig. 5.3: Sequence of events in a TPSC installation when internal system faults occur

Advantages of the TCSC These advantages apply not only to brand-new

The TCSC offers the following advantages over installations but can also be implemented in
conventional fixed series compensation: existing systems.
■■ Usable for load-flow control
■■ Power Oscillation Damping (POD) Key data of systems implemented:
■■ Higher degree of compensation
■■ Better capacitor protection thanks to thyristors
UN ≤ 500 kV
■■ Replacement of the spark gap
QN ≤ 200 MVAr

lzl
Operating
range
C

TCR

ind. cap.
CB
90° Control angle 180°

Fig. 5.4: TCSC Fig. 5.5: Operating range of a TCSC

19
 Fig. 5.5: An aerial view of the TCSC PingGuo

5.3 Layout
TCSC PingGuo,
State Power Southern Company,
China
500 kV
350 MVAr (FSC)/55 MVAr (TCR)

20
6 Protection and Control

To further improve redundancy management,

special modules were developed that supplement the
standard SIMATIC TDC automation system. Another
new module in the instrumentation and control
cabinet is responsible for issuing triggering signals
to the thyristor valves.

Altogether, SIMATIC TDC with its high integration

density takes up significantly less space in the plant
than the previous technology.

Nevertheless, use of SIMATIC TDC is not limited

to new FACTS. With its flexible interface design,
it can easily replace existing systems. In this case,
the measured values of existing plants are integrated
in and further processed by the new control system.
Because it requires so little space, the new technology
can even be configured in parallel with the existing
C & P system in order to integrate the FACTS with as
little delay as possible.

6.2 Human Machine Interface

The interface between the operator and the plant
(HMI = Human Machine Inter-face) is the standard-
ized SIMATIC WinCC visualization system, which
Fig. 5.6: Standard SIMATIC TDC control and protection system further simplifies operation and facilitates the adap-
tation of graphical user interfaces to the operator’s
requirements.
6.1 Hardware for control and protection
Siemens offers the latest in control and protection
for FACTS – the tried and tested SIMATIC TDC Fig. 5.7: All controls are fully tested with a real-time digital simulator
(Technology and Drive Control) automation system.
SIMATIC TDC is used worldwide in almost every industry
and has been proven in both production and process
engineering as well as in numerous HVDC and FACTS
applications. Operating personnel and project plan-
ning engineers work exclusively with a standardized,
universal hardware and software platform, enabling
them to perform demanding tasks more rapidly.

One of the main considerations in devel-oping this

automation system was to ensure the highest degree
of availability of the FACTS – which is why all control
and protection systems as well as the communication
links are configured redundantly (if requested by the
customer).

The new instrumentation and control technology also

permits the use of a high-performance fault recorder
operating at a 25 kHz sampling rate. This reduces the
period of time between fault recording and the printout
of the fault report from several minutes (previously)
to 10 seconds (now).
21
 7 Converters for FACTS

7.1 LTT – Light Triggered Thyristors Conventional high-voltage thyristor valve technology
Thyristors are a key element in controlling uses electrically triggered thyristors, which need a
(switching on and off) the passive components in pulse with a peak power of several watts. This pulse
reactive power compensation systems (Fig. 7.1). is generated by complex electronic equipment placed
alongside each thyristor. In turn, this electronic equip-
The system of direct light triggering developed by ment, which needs an auxiliary power supply, is acti-
Siemens activates the thyristors with a pulse of light vated at ground potential by optical signals from the
that lasts for 10 microseconds and has a peak power valve control. Substituting direct light triggering for
of 40 milliwatts. The device also incorporates over- this electronic equipment reduces the number of
voltage protection, so that it is self-protecting if the electrical and electronic components in the thyristor
forward voltage exceeds the maximum permitted valve – and, consequently, the possibility of failure –
limit. The light pulse is carried by fiber optics at by around 80 percent. This improves reliability and
ground potential directly from the valve control eliminates problems associated with electromagnetic
to the thyristor gate. compatibility. The other important fact about the new

Fig. 7.1: Easily assembled direct light triggered thyristors Fig. 7.2: Thyristor valve with wafer integrated
(left) have prevailed over electrically triggered models overvoltage protection
(ETT, right), especially in high-voltage thyristor valves

thyristor technology is that long-term availability of

electronic components for replacement purposes over
a period of at least 30 years is no longer a problem.

Thyristor valves (Fig. 7.2) from Siemens are assem-

bled from 4-inch or 5-inch thyristors, depending on
the current- carrying capacity/rated current required.

Thyristor technology has been under constant devel-

opment since the early 1960s. At the present time,
thyristors can safely and economically handle block-
ing voltages of up to 8 kilovolts and rated currents
of up to 4,200 amperes.

22
8 Complete Solutions

Complete solutions and services Siemens analyzes and calculates the power system
from a single source requirements, develops customized solution concepts
The goal of modern power quality management is for complete system configurations and plants,
to provide stable, distortion-free voltage in a reliable and quickly implements them as turnkey systems.
manner. To this end, Siemens provides a single source The delivery time for a typical SVC plant is from
for all the necessary FACTS equipment and a compre- 15 to 24 months; FSC systems are ready to go in
hensive range of complementary services (Fig. 8.2), 10 to 15 months.
including basic system design, modeling, network
analyses, civil works, project management, functional
performance tests, delivery, and installation, as well
as commissioning, on-site tests, and training of oper-
ating personnel.

Fig. 8.1: Turnkey SVC Project

FACTS
System
system
analysis
design

Installation
Identification Customer Component &
Siemens
of project training supply commission-
ing

Civil Project
works management

Fig. 8.2: Complete turnkey solutions and corresponding services from a single source
23
Published by and copyright © 2011:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany

Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
Power Transmission Solutions
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
www.siemens.com/energy/facts

For more information, please contact

our Customer Support Center.
Phone: +49 180/524 70 00
Fax: +49 180/524 24 71
(Charges depending on provider)
E-mail: support.energy@siemens.com

Power Transmission Division

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The information in this document contains general
All rights reserved.
descriptions of the technical options available, which
Trademarks mentioned in this document
may not apply in all cases. The required technical
are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates,
options should therefore be specified in the contract.
or their respective owners.