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Blocking Reactor as Part of an SVC System – A Novel Concept for Harmonics Reduction
and Lowered Operational Losses
J. Aho, S. Kuusinen, T. Nissinen, A. Kahkonen
GE Grid Solutions
Finland
M. Spinella, R. Campos
GE Grid Solutions
Brazil
M. Correia Lima, H. Salvador
Chesf
Brazil
SUMMARY
A static var compensator (SVC) uses a thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) as an active dynamic element for controlling reactive power and stabilizing voltage. A novel SVC implementation at Chesf - a Brazilian transmission and generation utility grid - is described in this document. The operation of a TCR causes certain drawbacks, the impact of which can be efficiently reduced by the use of the blocking reactor concept (patent pending). The term “blocking reactor” refers to a set up in which a reactor with relatively high inductance is connected to the TCR terminals before the medium voltage SVC busbar. The impedance towards the power grid at the connection point of the TCR is thus increased.
The concept is favourable when optimizing the basic insulation level of the medium voltage components. In addition, voltage stress on the thyristor valves is lowered at high inductive power ratings, reducing the number of required series-connected thyristors in the valves. This in turn reduces semiconductor losses. The blocking reactors reduce the share of harmonic currents generated by the TCRs entering into the grid. As a result, blocking reactors improve harmonic performance compared to the traditional SVC circuit.
Tauá II SVC (-45 ...+90 Mvar, 230 kV) is used as a case study in which the performance evaluation was completed via real time digital simulations (RTDS). Simulations were used for tuning the control system and verifying performance. The basic results are presented in this paper. Due to the low short-circuit levels at the SVC point of common coupling (PCC) and the presence of resonances associated to the harmonics higher than the eleventh order, a configuration featuring a series blocking reactor at the SVC medium voltage sector was selected. The simulations show that the system fulfils the specified requirements.
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In addition to SVC step response analysis, tests included the protection functionality, checking the open/ closed loop control systems, and SVC performance during large disturbances of the electrical network. The test results verify that Tauá II SVC fully complies with the specified requirements and, despite the rapid technological progress based on voltage source converter (VSC) technology, the use of conventional FACTS devices still provides satisfactory performance and competitive cost in terms of investment and operation.
KEYWORDS
Static Var Compensator, SVC, Blocking Reactor, Grid Stability, Automatic Gain Controller, Voltage Controller, RTDS, Real Time Digital Simulations
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BLOCKING REACTOR CONCEPT
The purpose of a SVC is to compensate reactive power or stabilize voltage. A large variety of SVC-topologies are available including thyristor controlled reactors (TCRs), thyristor switched reactors (TSRs) and even mechanically switched reactors (MSRs), as well as thyristor switched capacitors (TSCs) or mechanically switched capacitors (MSCs). This study concentrates on TCRs with filter capacitor banks. In addition to being a harmonic filter, a MSC acts as a reactive power source. Usually a utility SVC is connected to a selected point on the transmission grid using a step-down transformer. The step-down transformer typically has a reactance value in the range 12% to 20%, with a secondary (MV) voltage between 10 and 35 kV.
Figure 1: A single line diagram example of a utility SVC network (Tauá II SVC).
Z Grid
PCC
I harmonics Source TCR
Z HF
Z Transformer
Z HF
Z Blocking Reactor
Z TSC
Z TSC
Figure 2: Paths of harmonic currents generated by the TCR and the content of different order harmonics as a function of the firing angle.
The curves on the right hand side show the relative harmonic current values of TCR current as per unit values related to fundamental current as a function of firing angle of the thyristor valve. The tuning of filter banks and dimensioning of the main reactor reactance gives several options to match the SVC system to the harmonics requirements at the PCC.
Figure 3 shows a simulated example of the reduction of the 7th and 13th harmonic currents at the PCC in a case where the filter capacitor banks are not tuned to these harmonic frequencies.
Figure 3: Graphs showing typical reduction of the share of TCR harmonics passing to the PCC.
3. TAUÁ II SVC PROJECT BACKGROUND
Planning studies conducted by EPE, the Brazilian Government Energy Research Company, defined the installation in Tauá II substation of an SVC rated (-45 to +90 Mvar / 230 kV). The purpose of the installation is to provide voltage control in steady state, dynamic and transient conditions, ensuring compliance with EPE planning criteria and National System Operator network procedures. The SVC is needed particularly during under-voltage conditions in the power grid resulting from 230 kV line outages.
Power grid evolution for Tauá II substation power distribution area presents low short-circuit levels at point of common coupling (PCC). This produces relationships between the SVC reactive power range and PCC short circuit levels ranging from 0.50 (in the study’s initial year of 2015, degraded network) to 0.20 ( with the complete network) short circuit ratio (SCR). System studies showed that high values of harmonics will appear at the PCC if a traditional SVC configuration is used. There was also the risk of interactions at harmonics in the order above 11th. The system study findings led to the adoption of the blocking reactor solution, which includes the connection of a blocking series reactor between substation main busbar (SVC BUS 1) and SVC busbar (SVC BUS 2). (Figure 1).
7th harmonic current at PCC, one phase 13th harmonic current at PCC, one phase
With Main Reactor
With Main Reactor
IRMS abs h07 [A] IRMS abs h07 [A]
Minute:Second Minute:Second
3:40 3:50 4:00 4:10 4:20 4:30 4:40 4:50 5:00 5:10 5:20 5:50 6:00 6:10 6:20 6:30 6:40 6:50 7:00 7:10 7:
Without Main Reactor
Without Main Reactor
Another option might have been to deploy a VSC-based STATCOM which is associated with high technical performance but also high operational losses. In this case, a STATCOM solution would have exceeded the specified maximum accepted losses. In contrast, losses in the selected SVC solution are below accepted maximum values, especially when applying blocking reactors.^1
In this context, real time digital simulator studies were conducted to evaluate the Tauá II SVC performance. For this purpose, actual SVC cubicles and HMIs were connected to RTDS, where the electrical power system and other SVC power components (such as the stepdown transformer, thyristor controlled reactors, filters and thyristor valves) were modeled.
These tests included checking the functionality of protection and open / closed loop control systems in addition to SVC step response analysis and performance during strong electrical network disturbances. The test results are presented in this paper.
4. TAUÁ II SVC MAIN CIRCUIT DESIGN
Tauá II SVC has a 230/15 kV, 90 MVA (3x30 MVA) step-down transformer. The 15 kV busbar is split into two parts separated by the blocking reactor. Two thyristor switched capacitors are connected to the busbar on the left side of the reactor. One thyristor controlled reactor and two single tuned filters (STF5 and STF7) tuned to 5th and 7th order harmonics, respectively, are connected to the right side of the reactor.
During the studies performed to design the Tauá II SVC main circuit, resonances related to harmonic orders 11th, 13th and higher associated with this equipment and the electrical power grid were identified, leading to harmonic distortion levels above those defined in the specifications.^2 Mitigation of such harmonics should require the installation of additional high order filters, which should in turn lead to increased losses and a reduction in availability rates due to the increase in installed components. The series reactor was proposed instead, whose impedance increases with frequency, acting as a blocking reactor and providing adequate damping to high order harmonics.
With this strategy, the specification requirements were met by Tauá II SVC, reducing the number of necessary filters as well as their ratings, which contributed to a reduction in overall losses. This solution, consisting of increasing the impedance between the SVC and the power network, was initially described in “Main Reactor Concept – a Cost and Performance Efficient SVC Configuration”^3 , which describes how the introduction of the blocking series reactor made the use of the traditional SVC technology viable, considering these constraints at the connection point:
- Reduction in short-circuit levels at the PCC from 725 MVA to 267 MVA in degraded operating conditions of the power grid
- Resonances between the SVC and the power grid associated with high order harmonics
- Reduced values of specified maximum losses
Furthermore, the introduction of the series reactor produced the following advantages regarding the Tauá II SVC main circuit design:
- Reduction of the number of series-connected thyristors used in controlled reactors valves
- Reduction of current requirements for TCRs
- Reduction of short-circuit requirements at the SVC medium voltage sector
- Reduction of total SVC losses
For these reasons, the blocking series reactor allows the use of traditional SVC technology at connection points characterized by low short-circuit levels in a project with strict requirements for maximum losses that negated the use of traditional VSC technology.
Based on the magnitude and polarity of the SVC output during the gain test, the SCL gain is increased or decreased. The controller is constructed from proportional and integral paths for which the gains are adjustable. The controller operation is bypassed in case the control system detects under-voltage at the point of the connection, resetting the SVC output to zero until the fault has been cleared from the system.
The SVC susceptance request (BSVC) is then reduced to TCR and TSC susceptance requests based on the connected shunt components. The TSC susceptance is determined using the switching limits given to each component. The TCR firing angle is linearized to the firing angle before sending it to the thyristor valve.
6. TAUÁ II SVC: ADDITIONAL CONTROL LOOPS
Figure 7 shows the controls screen of the HMI when setting parameter values and reading control values.
Figure 6: Tauá II SVC: Closed loop control system HMI.
6.1 External Shunt Devices Switching
Tauá II SVC is able to control the operation of up to eight previously selected external elements, such as shunt reactors and capacitors connected to its 230 kV sector. Shunt reactors are switched on if the SVC output susceptance reaches its inductive limit for a predetermined time interval, and are switched off if this susceptance becomes less than this limit. Similarly, shunt capacitors are inserted if the SVC output susceptance reaches its capacitive limit for a predetermined time interval and switched off when the signal becomes smaller than this limit.
Currently in the Tauá II substation, there is one 230 kV shunt reactor in the aforementioned scheme. As shown in Figure 6, the activation or deactivation of this scheme can be made through the HMI.
6.2 Under-Voltage Blocking Scheme
The under-voltage blocking scheme requires Tauá II SVC to operate in 0 Mvar if its terminal voltage drops below a preset value for a predetermined time interval. For this purpose, both TSCs are blocked and the TCR is used to compensate the susceptance of both filters, resulting in 0 Mvar at the high voltage side.
The main goal of this function is to prevent SVC operation in strongly capacitive points at fault clearing, contributing to increase the associated over-voltages, due to the high error values developed at its main control loop input during the fault.
Detection of the under-voltage blocking scheme operating level is achieved using the 230 kV voltage positive sequence component for three-phase balanced faults and the minimum true RMS measurement value of this voltage for unbalanced faults. Tauá II SVC is released to voltage control mode after its terminal voltage reaches a value higher than the blocking level. To ensure that the thyristor valve firing is always carried out safely, an under-voltage blocking scheme at 15 kV sector to block the TSCs and TCR when this voltage drops below 0.6 pu.
6.3 Degraded Modes Operation
Tauá II SVC presents the possibility of automatic operation in degraded modes during the outage of one or two TSCs, creating a high degree of flexibility and availability to this equipment operation. A valid degraded mode means a configuration where, although the output power limits are reduced, it is possible to continuously vary the SVC output power, keeping the harmonics levels below the specified limits. Thus, a valid degraded mode requires the presence of a TCR and filters. Selection of valid degraded modes is performed automatically by the SVC control system through the 230 kV circuit breaker and 15 kV motor switches. This way, if an invalid degraded mode is produced, the SVC automatic reclose is blocked by protection. This function can be enabled or disabled through the HMI.
7. REAL TIME DIGITAL SIMULATOR TESTS
7.1 Preliminary Tests
The initial stage of the tests was carried out with simplified power grid modeling, using Thévenin equivalent sources and impedances corresponding to the maximum and minimum short circuit levels at the PCC and defined by the specification. Figure 7 presents a single line diagram of the network as it was in the study’s initial year of 2015, with the indication of the above mentioned equivalent sources. Based on information from the EPE, the Brazilian Government Energy Research Company, the following values were considered:
- Minimum short-circuit level (267 MVA) corresponding to year 2015, minimum generation, degraded network
- Maximum short-circuit level (725 MVA) corresponding to year 2022, maximum generation, complete power grid configuration
The tests started by checking the performance of Tauá II SVC open loop control and protection functions, such as start / normal stop, shutdown by protection trip, control modes switching, redundant control systems switching, and automatic auto reclose. In addition, the following protection functions associated with the SVC closed loop control system were checked:
- High voltage side under-voltage blocking scheme
- SVC output susceptance monitoring
- Forced switching from manual control mode to voltage control mode
SVC voltage/current and voltage/reactive power characteristic curves seen at the 230 kV voltage sector were also determined. Gain optimizer and gain controller functions were tested.
The Tauá II SVC 230kV under-voltage blocking scheme was adjusted to block the SVC for 0.7 pu voltage dips with a 5 ms delay for blocking and releasing. Figure 8 presents the RTDS simulation of a single-phase fault on the Milagres - Tauá II 230 kV transmission line that cleared in 100 ms with line opening, Tauá II terminal, year 2022. In these conditions, Milagres SVC operates in voltage control mode with a fixed gain value.
Immediately after applying a fault, Tauá II SVC tries to reach its capacitive limit switching in TSC1 and reducing TCR current. However, the voltage dip due to the fault leads to operation of the 230 kV under- voltage blocking scheme, forcing this equipment to operate in 0 Mvar through TSC1 blocking. (TSC2 was already blocked just before fault application and remains in this state.) Then the Tauá II SVC 15 kV under- voltage blocking scheme is activated, blocking TSC1 and TCR, keeping only the filters connected.
Signal 1: 230 kV busbar voltages
Signal 2: SVC 15 kV busbar voltages
Signal 3: SVC 230 kV currents
Signal 4: SVC reactive power measurements
Signal 5: Power grid frequency
Signal 6: SVC susceptance
Signal 7: TCR firing angle (degrees from voltage zero crossing susceptance
Signal 8: SVC gain, per unit value
Time scale: seconds
Figure 8: Milagres - Tauá II 230kV transmission line single phase fault, Tauá II terminal, year 2022.
At fault clearing with Milagres - Tauá II 230kV line opening, TSC1 and 2 are switched in as an attempt to fight against the over-voltages associated with this event. These over-voltages also cause TCR switching. The interaction between the TCR, TSC1 and TSC2 produces oscillations at the Tauá II SVC output signal, leading to gain supervisor operation (block KGC of Figure 4), which reduces the SVC gain until these oscillations are satisfactorily damped. This control loop monitors the Tauá II SVC control output signal and reduces its gain if oscillations higher than a preset value are detected for a time interval defined during the design stages.
During the fault, Milagres SVC moves to a strongly capacitive operating point, as the reduction at its terminal voltage does not cause under-voltage blocking scheme operation. With Tauá II and Milagres SVCs performance described herein, a stable steady state is reached after fault clearing, with a voltage level in the Tauá II 230 kV busbar slightly lower than its pre-fault value due to the Milagres - Tauá II 230 kV line opening.
8. CONCLUSIONS
The use of a blocking reactor in an SVC scheme connected between the TCR and the busbar next to a step-down transformer results in several economical, engineering and performance related advantages as compared to a traditional SVC scheme without a main reactor. Advantages include reduced losses, improved harmonic performance, partly reduced basic insulation level requirement, and reduced operational losses.
The blocking reactor concept was applied in the Tauá II SVC project. The main performance tests results conducted in real time simulations are described in this work. Performance analysis during both small and large disturbances is considered. Tauá II SVC performed satisfactorily, meeting the specification requirements in all conditions analyzed in the factory acceptance tests. The blocking series reactor configuration used in the Tauá II SVC example demonstrates the viability of applying traditional SVC technology based on line commutated thyristor controlled devices in points characterized by low short-circuit levels.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] G. Pilz, D. Langner, M. Battermann, H. Schmitt. “Line - or self-commutated Static Var Compensators (SVC) – Comparison and application with respect to changed system conditions” (Cigré Colloquium HVDC and Power Electronics to Boost Network Performance, October 2rd-3th 2013, Brasil).
[2] Tauá SVC (+90Mvar cap, -45Mvar ind, 230kV, 60Hz) Study of SVC Main Equipment, Version 2, 26.08.2013, Tampere, Finland.
[3] J. Aho, N. Thomson, A. Kähkönen, K. Kaasalainen, “Main Reactor Concept – a Cost and Performance Efficient SVC Configuration”, (The 16th European Conference on Power Electronics Application – EPE’14 ECCE Europe Procedures, Lappeenranta, Finland, August 26th to 28th 2014).
GEA-32012-(E)English 161205
