Review of Series Compensation

1. Review of Series Compensation Douglas Bowman, P.E. Research, Development, and Special Studies Date: May 20-21, 2014

2. Contents • Series Compensation • Series Compensation Types • Subsynchronous Interactions (SSI) - Terms • Fundamentals of SSI and Series Compensation • Forms of SSI • SSI and Series Compensation • Tools for Assessment of SSI in Series Compensated Networks • SSI Mitigation Measures • SSI Protection Measures • Protective Relay Considerations for Series Compensated Networks • Protective Relay Solutions for Series Compensated Networks • Project Planning for Implementation • Design Studies • Concluding Remarks

3. Series Compensation • Increases power transfer capability • Improves transient performance • Improves reactive power balance • Improves Voltage Stability • Improves power flow balance on adjacent lines • Deferral of major transmission investments • Preservation of existing rights of way Benefits of Series Compensation

4. Series Compensation Increases Power Transfer Capability Since transmission lines are mostly inductive, adding series capacitance decreases its total reactance Reducing XL increases PR Compensation Level K is defined as the percent of XLoffset by the series capacitor Example: For XL = 1 ohm, 30% compensation produces XL - XC = .7 ohm

5. Series Compensation Improves Transient Performance Following Disturbances If A1 > A2, the generator will return to stability Series compensation increases the system stability limits by reducing the system reactance between machines as this directly increases the synchronizing torque that can be interchanged between them

6. Series Compensation Improves Reactive Power Balance and Self-Regulation Reactive Power Balance For A 300 Mile 500kV Line Transmission Line Reactive Power Losses : Qlosses=I2Xline Series Capacitor Reactive Power Output: Qoutput=I2Xcapacitor As a transfer across the line increases, Qoutput partially offset Qlosses

7. Series Compensation Improves Voltage Stability Increasing compensation levels K provides greater Qoutput capability Maximum power transfer capability of the line is increased Generator reactive power is made available for voltage control Effect of Increasing Compensation Levels

8. Series Compensation Types • Continuous current rating according to the line • Overvoltage protection • Zinc Oxide Varistor (MOV) • Conducts when voltage level across capacitor reaches protection level • Fast Protective Device (FPD) • For example, an air gap conducts when energy absorbed by MOV exceeds rated values. • Bypass Breaker • Damping Reactor Fixed Series Compensation (FSC)

9. Series Compensation Types • Two Modules • FSC as previously described • Capacitor with thyristor controlled, air cooled reactor to modulate line impedance • FACTS Device • Offers Dynamic Power Flow Control • Reactance can be modulated to effectively mitigate SSI • Blocked Mode removes reactor from circuit • By-Passed Mode removes capacitor from circuit • Controlled Mode varies total reactance Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation(TCSC)

10. Subsynchronous Interactions (SSI) - Terms • Subsynchronous Interaction – A general term describing the condition where two or more parts of the power system exchange energy at one or more frequencies below the fundamental frequency (60 hz). • Subsynchronous Oscillation - An SSO is a condition where the electric network exchanges significant energy with a turbine generator at one or more of the natural frequencies of the combined system below the synchronous frequency of the system following a disturbance from equilibrium. • SSI can lead to SSOs that must be damped before outage or damage to network equipment occurs • Subsynchronous Resonance (SSR) – A type of SSI where the electric power system, most often a series compensated transmission line, exchanges energy with a turbogenerator at one or more natural frequencies below the fundamental 60hz frequency (three types of SSR)

11. Fundamentals of SSI and Series Compensation • A power system’s natural electrical frequencies are a function of its inductance and capacitance. • When new capacitance is added, new natural electrical frequencies result and the system natural frequency approaches the fundamental frequency fo • A generator’s shaft may also have multiple natural frequencies of oscillation • Four natural frequencies or torsional modes for the system shown

12. Forms of SSI * * Interaction with series compensation does not occur during SSTI

13. SSI and Series Compensation • SSR – TI (Torsional Interaction) • When a small disturbance occurs, simultaneous excitation of all natural frequencies (modes) of oscillation occurs in both the electrical system and the generator • If the electrical and mechanical natural frequencies are close to one another, sustained or growing rotor oscillations can occur resulting in possible torsional fatigue damage to the turbine generator shaft. This is classic SSR-TI. • SSR – TA (Torsional Amplification) • When a large disturbance occurs, the subsynchronous transient current frequency may be close to the generator natural torsional frequency • Can lead to prolonged generator shaft oscillations with high amplitude causing increased stress and accelerated loss of life.

14. SSI and Series Compensation • IGE (Induction Generator Effect) • Purely electrical resonance effect • Combined generator and electric power system results in a negative effective rotor resistance at a natural frequency below 60 hz • If the negative rotor resistance is greater than the apparent stator plus network resistance, self –excited, subsynchronous current and electromagnetic torque can result • SSCI – (Control Interaction) ERCOT 2009 Event • Event between wind generators and series compensated transmission line • 2 pu overvoltage damaged rotor side protection circuits • Wind farm became radially connected through series capacitor • 1.5 seconds before capacitor was bypassed • Resonance between Capacitor and Wind Turbine Converter/Control • Only Type 3 and Type 4 Turbines Can Be Affected • See report for ERCOT’s SSI study process for new wind generation

15. Mohave SSR-TI Incident (1970) • Mohave generator: 1,580 MW coal-fired in NV. • Gradually growing vibration that eventually fractured a shaft section. • First investigations incorrectly determined cause. After 2nd failure in 1971 cause was identified as Subsynchronous Resonance. • An electrical resonance at 30.5 Hz excited a mechanical resonance at 30.1 Hz. • Problem was solved by reducing compensation and installing a torsionalrelay. D. Baker, G. Boukarim, “Subsynchronous Resonance Studies and Mitigation Methods for Series Capacitor Applications,” IEEE 2005. D. Walker, D. Hodges, “Results of Subsynchronous Resonance Test At Mohave,” IEEE 1975.

16. Tools for Assessment of SSI in Series Compensated Networks • Frequency Scan Screening • Calculates apparent impedance from generator from 0 to 60 hz • Can identify potential IGE, SSR-TI, SSR-TA, and SSCI problems • Eigenvalue Analysis • System model linearized, small pertubations examined • Identifies torsional mode damping characteristics • Used to study SSR-TI and SSCI problems • Damping Torque Analysis • EMT type software used for analysis • Examines electrical torque response to small change in generator speed to determine damping characteristic • Practical for evaluating SSR-TI • Time Domain Analysis • EMT type software used for analysis • Most useful in studying SSR-TA problems

17. SSI Mitigation Measures (SSI Prevention) • Network Based Preventative Measures to Reduce a Known Risk of SSI • Operational Procedure • Alter the network configuration or generation dispatch • Bypass the Capacitor or reduce its compensation level • Passive Filter Damping for series resonance network condition • Shunt or Series • Shunt and Series • FACTS Active Shunt Filter Damping • STATCOM or SVC • FACTS Active Series Filter Damping • Thyristor Controlled • Series Compensation (TCSC) • Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC)

18. SSI Mitigation Measures (SSI Prevention) • Generator Based Preventative Measures to Reduce a Known Risk of SSI • Passive Filter Damping • Active Filter Damping (FACTS devices such as TCR or STATCOM) • Supplemental Excitation Control Damping • Wind Turbine Control Damping • Type 3 and 4 turbines use VSC as basis for control • Newer controls since 2009 mitigate SSI

19. SSI Protection Measures (SSI Detected) • Series Capacitor Bypass • Newer relays developed for SSCI since 2009 • Generator Relays Summary of Generator Based SSI Relays

20. Protective Relay Considerations for Series Compensated Networks • Voltage and current inversion due to nearby fault • Measured Impedance of Distance Protection when series compensation switched in and out • Subsynchronous Transient Signal Impacts on apparent impedance • Adjacent Line Impacts • Unbalanced Line and Mutual Impedance Impacts • Automatic Reclosing for Series Compensated Transmission Lines • Series Capacitor Switching • Three Phase Automatic Reclosing • Single Phase Automatic Reclosing • Spurious Bypass Operation

21. Protective Relay Solutions for Series Compensated Networks • Advanced Relays for Series Compensation Application • Memory Polarization • Special Series Compensation Logic • Sequence Component Impedance for Directional Discrimination • Protection Schemes • Line Current Differential Protection • Directional Comparison Protection • Permissive Overreach Scheme • Underreaching Direct Trip and Direct Transfer Trip Scheme • Protection Design and Performance Verification • EMT simulation of various system conditions recommended for the chosen protection scheme • See report for various case studies

22. Project Planning and Implementation • Location of Series Compensation – affects effectiveness, voltage profile, protections settings, future configuration, operation and maintenance • Mid-Line InstallationLine Ends Installation • Modularity of Series Compensation for staged development • Design for Future Network Modifications • Operations and Maintenance Considerations • FSC - majority of equipment used is already likely found in the system • TCSC – redundant power electronic modules allows replacement of faulty modules • Operations and Reliability • Remote control functionality

23. Design Studies • Steady State and Short Circuit analysis • Transient Stability Analysis • Harmonics and Subsynchronous Frequency Scans to identify possible resonance issues • Short-Term Transient Voltage and Switching Studies (EMTP type) to determine • Maximum energy on varistors • Maximum transient voltage and current on capacitors • TRV on circuit breakers • Required size of MOV and damping circuit components • Small Signal Analysis to determine impact of series capacitor on current modes of oscillation

24. Concluding Remarks • Series Compensation used worldwide since 1950s • Series Compensation is a tried and true technology that continues to grow in popularity as an effective means of resolving a number of network issues • The risk of SSI is relatively low; however, the consequences of an SSI event can be significant. The risk and consequences must factor into series compensation design including controls and protection. • The SSI phenomenon is well understood and effective mitigations measures are available • Series Compensation should be included in the planners’ toolbox and considered as an available option.