Flexible AC transmission systems in power network analysis and for power flow control

The transition of the electric utility industry from regulated monopolies to competitive businesses will place an increased reliance on the existing transmission system. The purpose of this research is to examine the use of high power semiconductor devices for power flow control and to develop control strategies for these devices, known as flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). Various types of FACTS devices were assigned to one of three types according to the parameters that they can control. Methods for modeling each type in a Newton-Raphson power flow study were developed. The effects of the inclusion of these device types on the solution characteristics of the power flow study were explained. Power flow study programs that include the device models were developed and exemplified. Guidelines were proposed to determine the proper location, type, and size of device for several possible control objectives. Finally, the use of FACTS controllers for these objectives was illustrated using a model of the interconnected transmission systems of several midwestern utilities