Variable Structure Control based FACTS Controller Design

Along with the increasing scale of the power system and stressed operation in the transmission network, the stability margin is reduced considerably. As a traditional solution, the constructions of new transmission lines and generators sometimes are constrained by local environmental and regulatory constraints. Another characteristic of a modern network is the higher number of transmission inter-connections which appear in the large-scale power system. As an economic benefit, inter-connection can reduce the cost of electricity and enhance system reliability [1]. Those inter-connected tie lines are operated normally under heavy flow to maximize the usage benefit. This characteristic contributes to the complexity of operating and controlling the system. In recent years, along with the development of power electronic devices, the Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) has been used in the system as an alternative solution. It can maximize the usage benefit of the HV transmission line and make the large-scale power system more controllable. By using FACTS devices, the system can survive serious system contingencies with real-time control action, instead of providing a large steady state stability margin. Therefore, the system transfer capacity can be significantly increased. Electromechanical oscillations are observed in today's power system; such oscillations are recognized as a major concern in power system operation. Once begun, the oscillations may continue for a while before being halted by the damping torque from the system, or they may continue to grow (inadequate damping) and eventually cause system instability by losing synchronicity. The traditional and widely applied solution for oscillation damping is the Power System Stabilizer (PSS), which is efficient in damping local mode oscillation and inter-area oscillation in certain conditions. In recent years, research and development of the application of FACTS devices in suppressing system oscillations, especially for inter-area mode oscillation damping, has attracted increasing interest [1]. The primary objective of this thesis is to design robust FACTS controllers for enhancing power system dynamic stability by damping low frequency electromechanical oscillations. Recently, various nonlinear control techniques have been applied in power system control. The performance of nonlinear controllers is influenced by the parameter uncertainty and external disturbance. This thesis will present a novel approach of a robust Variable Structure Control (VSC)-based FACTS controller for damping multi-mode oscillations. Robust performances of the proposed controllers in different power systems are demonstrated by computer simulation