Real Time Simulation of Hybrid Power Flow Controller

Abstract

The recent power systems evolve incorporating fast acting controllers, protection systems, and many other sophisticated equipment, and testing and optimization outcomes of these new features, need to be at the real clock time. Simulation of power system dynamics has become an old technology, due to its disadvantage of being unable to exactly replicate real operational conditions. Hence the Real-Time Simulator has become an essential tool for an increasing number of utilities, manufacturers and research centers. Researchers worldwide have addressed most of the issues of power system by using Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices. Among all the FACTS devices, UPFC is of the utmost choice, and it has been implemented by researchers for various objectives. But the worldwide installations of UPFC are very few due to its high cost, and when the line is to be planned for UPFC installation, the existing VAR compensator becomes scrap. To overcome this hitch, Hybrid Power Flow Controller (HPFC), a hybrid topology, consisting of one VAR compensator or an impedance type FACTS device, presumably existing in power system, and two Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based controllers sharing a common DC link, if configured appropriately with suitable controller, has the performance comparable to UPFC. In this paper, HPFC is executed on Real Time Simulator, OPAL-RT-OP4510, and its performance is compared with UPFC. The signals of active and reactive power, and line voltage are taken from simulation environment to outside world, and observed on Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO). The performance of HPFC was encouraging, for controlling active power, and hence it’s actual implementation. Multi-machine-9-bus system is used for validating the results.
Keywords: FACTS, LFA, UPFC, HPFC,