SVC

Static Var Compensator

An insurance for improved grid system
stability and reliability
 It’s not the power in that counts...
...it’s the power that comes out!

Increased efficiency in power systems

Demand is rising all the time and modern society would The SVC is a solid-state reactive power compensation device
cease to function without access to electricity. As the volume based on high power thyristor technology.
of power transmitted and distributed increases, so do the
requirements for high quality and reliable supply. An SVC can improve power system transmission and distri-
bution performance in a number of ways. Installing an SVC
At the same time, rising costs and growing environmental at one or more suitable points in the network can increase
concerns make the process of building new power trans- transfer capability and reduce losses while maintaining a
mission and distribution lines increasingly complicated and smooth voltage profile under different network conditions. The
time-consuming. Making existing lines as well as new ones dynamic stability of the grid can also be improved, and active
more efficient and economical, then becomes a compelling power oscillations mitigated.
alternative.
By developing efficient semiconductors (thyristors) dimen-
Major savings at reasonable cost sioned for high power ratings, ABB has created the perfect
Optimum power transmission and distribution also entails the environment for reactive power compensation. This technology
reduction of transfer losses and provision of adequate power has also proved highly effective in HVDC applications and
quality and availability at the receiving end. thyristor drives for industry.

These voltages demonstrate post fault stabilizing effect of an SVC.

Voltage (kV)
1850MW
1750MW
420
SVC
400
380
360 SVC
340
320
300
No SVC
280
260
No SVC

0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3

Time (sec.)

These voltages demonstrate post fault stabilizing effect of an SVC. Power Transformer

The ABB static var compensator includes the following major components:

Control System Thyristor Valves Capacitor Banks Reactors

To obtain overall control of the reactive power in a network, thyristor controlled reactors and thyristor switched capacitors are
often combined with mechanically switched shunt reactors and capacitors, controlled by the SVC.

2 It’s not the power in that counts... | Static Var Compensatore

An SVC can considerably improve grid
reliability and availability

A B PL C
Transmission capacity

Thermal limit

it
lim
y
ilit
ab
st
ic
m
na PL
Dy

with SVC

without SVC

SVC
Technology Time
Damping of power oscillations

The global trend is towards ever larger power networks, long- In other cases, transient (angular) stability will be a limiting
er transmission lines, and higher consumption. Energy is also factor on power transmission capacity. SVC will often help to
becoming increasingly expensive. To cope, power transmis- mitigate such situations, as well.
sion and distribution systems have to become more efficient.
The benefits of SVC to power distribution:
In installations all around the world, ABB SVC technology has –– Stabilized voltage at the receiving end of long lines
done exactly this. It has proved second to none in increasing –– Increased productivity as stabilized voltage means better
power transmission and distribution capacity at a lower cost. utilized capacity
–– Reduced reactive power consumption, which gives lower
The benefits of SVC to power transmission: losses and improved tariffs
– – Stabilized voltages in weak systems –– Balanced asymmetrical loads reduce system losses and
–– Reduced transmission losses enable lower stresses in rotating machinery
–– Increased transmission capacity, to reduce, defer or –– Enables better use of equipment (particularly transformers
eliminate the need for new lines and cables)
– – Higher transient stability limit –– Reduced voltage fluctuations and light flicker
– – Increased damping of minor disturbances –– Decreased harmonic distortion
– – Greater voltage control and stability
– – Power oscillation damping

Systems interconnected via a relatively weak link often experi-

ence power oscillation problems. Transmission capability is
then determined by damping. By increasing the damping fac-
tor (typically by 1-2 MW per Mvar installed) an SVC can
eliminate or postpone the need to install new lines.

The SVC is an excellent tool for achieving dynamic voltage control of

power systems.

Static Var Compensatore | An SVC can considerably improve grid... 3

Voltage stabilisation

SVC is the preferred tool for dynamic reactive power sup- voltage always stays within acceptable limits. In steady-state
port in high voltage transmission grids. Thanks to its inherent it will also assist the operators with accurate voltage control
capability for high-speed, cycle-by-cycle control of vars, it will so that the voltage profile of the grid is optimized.
counteract the often hazardous voltage depressions that fol-
low in conjunction with faults in the grid. These highly dynamic Boosting transmission capacity
events, where the ever increasing use of induction motors (like The SVC will ensure that the system voltage does not sag even
those in air-conditioning units and wind power turbine-gener- when the power flow grows heavy. This means that more power
ators) stresses the grid, will need an SVC to maintain the grid can be transmitted through the system under stable conditions
voltage and safeguard the fault ride-through capability. over existing lines.

Additionally, if the SVC includes var absorbtion capability, An ABB SVC can boost transmission capacity by tens of percent
it will effectively suppress temporary overvoltages that may in most cases. Optimum improvement is sometimes achieved
appear upon fault clearing. The SVC will make sure the grid in combination with series compensation.

This SVC has boosted power transmission capacity by over 50 percent

Post fault voltage recoveries with and without SVC. in a 230 kV system.

Receiving end voltage (per unit)

1.5

With SVC
Without SVC
1.2

0.9

0.6

0.3

Time (seconds)
0.0
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0

SVC for voltage stabilisation of a large pulsating load.

4 Voltage stabilisation | Static Var Compensatore

Basic SVC schemes

Thyristor controlled reactor and fixed capacitor, TCR/FC

A reactor and thyristor valve are incorporated in each single-
phase branch. Power is changed by controlling the current
through the reactor via the thyristor valve. The on-state interval
is controlled by delaying triggering of the thyristor valve relative
to the natural zero current crossing.

A thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) is used in combination

with a fixed capacitor (FC) when reactive power generation or
alternatively, absorption and generation is required. This is often
the optimum solution for sub-transmission and distribution.

TCR/FCs are characterized by

– – Continuous control
–– No transients
–– Elimination of harmonics by tuning the FCs as filters
–– Compact design

Thyristor switched capacitor, TSC

A shunt capacitor bank is divided into an appropriate number
of branches. Each branch is individually switched on or off
via a thyristor valve. Switching takes place when the voltage
across the thyristor valve is zero, making it virtually transient-free.

Disconnection is effected by suppressing the firing pulses to

the thyristors which will be blocked when the current reaches
zero.

TSCs are characterized by

– – Stepped control
–– No transients
–– No harmonics
–– Low losses
–– Redundancy and flexibility

Thyristor controlled reactor/Thyristor switched capacitor,

TCR/TSC
A combined TCR and TSC is the optimum solution in many
cases. With a TCR/TSC compensator, continuously variable
reactive power is obtained across the entire control range
plus full control of both the inductive and the capacitive parts
of the compensator.

The principal benefit is optimum performance during major

disturbances in the power system, such as line faults and load
rejections.

TCR/TSC combinations are characterized by

–– Continuous control
–– No transients
–– Elimination of harmonics via filters or TSR
(thyristor switched reactor) control
– – Low losses
– – Redundancy
– – Flexible control and operation

Static Var Compensatore | Basic SVC schemes 5

Control and protection: MACH

ABB’s SVC controls are based on a high performance plat- Field proven controls include:
form called MACH. The platform is used throughout FACTS –– symmetrical as well as negative-phase sequence
and HVDC applications, and thus becomes a well-known voltage control
associate to the power transmission industry. The platform is –– adaptive gain control 1)
based on standardized hardware, Windows-applications, a –– transient voltage control strategies 2)
user-friendly high-level functional programming tool and open –– power oscillation damping algorithms
interfaces. MACH is built to be recognized with ease. –– coordinated control of other reactive power elements
(Mechanically switched capacitors and reactors
The SVC performance requirements are high as sub-cycle (MSC, MSR))
action is often needed. MACH uses an industrial PC equipped –– SVC self-test modes
with state-of the-art signal processors, powerful enough to
ensure accurate switching of the SVC thyristors, even for The MACH concept is built with open interfaces. This ele-
the most demanding applications. Processor capacity can gantly enables remote control and interrogation to be imple-
easily be expanded, and similarly the set of input and output mented. ABB has developed an internet-based concept for
circuitry can be adapted in order to be compatible with local remote control and supervision of FACTS installations, we call
conditions. ABB’s vast FACTS experience is behind every ap- it FACTS ON-LINE. This way we are never far away.
plication program that is tailored for customers worldwide.
1)
To optimize control speed and stability at varying grid strengths
2)
Including active voltage support during system faults and mitigation of
possible overvoltages at fault clearing

6 Control and protection: MACH | Static Var Compensatore

 OPTIONAL

*Courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation.

Unauthorized use not permitted.
FACTS PLANT CONTROL
LAN

SUBSTATION
CONTROL ROOM
Control and supervision
of apparatuses within
the FACTS plant, circuit LAN
CLIENT MAILSERVER
*
breakers, capacitor
banks, disconnectors.
MACH I/O sms

Point-on-wave switching.

FIREWALL
Integrated protection of MIRROR COMPUTER
www
apparatuses.
LAN/WAN
e-mail
Control and supervision
of thyristor and
IGBT (through PWM)
valves. Fiberoptical
communication with the HARDWIRE
high voltage circuit.
remote to client
i.e. engineer at
head office

Control and supervision

of FACTS plant auxiliary
systems, like valve SERIAL LINK TO CLIENT: SCADA,
cooling and auxiliary AX 800
power distribution.
MACH platform

GP
R SE S
CL
TF R OC
K

TRANSIENT
RECORDER

The FACTS control applications within MACH are supported focus of the HMI is to provide simplicity and accuracy when
by a Human Machine Interface (HMI). The HMI uses the needed, rather than asking for attention on a continuous basis.
hardware platform (dedicated industrial PC), into which user Extensive diagnostic systems and event handling facilities
friendly databases and information applications are pro- make sure that the operator and/or the trouble-shooting en-
grammed. The customer is provided with precise, relevant gineer will always have correct and relevant information. This
and accurate information, either locally or over industry standard way the SVC will be reliable, available and perform its best
communication links. Since an SVC is normally unmanned the under critical circumstances.

Static Var Compensatore | Control and protection: MACH 7

Successful thyristor technology...
...the foundation of ABB’s SVC lead

Decades of development work in semiconductor technology, Our range of thyristor valves for SVC includes water-cooled
especially in the field of power thyristors, has helped us valves for different voltages which enables us to offer opti-
achieve and maintain our market leading position. mum solutions for the majority of applications.

Our high-power thyristors are precision manufactured and For SVC applications, ABB has a comprehensive programme
subjected to stringent testing. Their dependability has paved of high power thyristors in 4” and 5” sizes, voltage classes up
the way for further dynamic development of various applica- to 6.5 kV, and current handling capabilities of well over 3000 A
tions incorporating thyristor technology. per device without any need of paralleling.

For instance, we have applied this technology to HVDC, which ABB offers both PCT (Phase control thyristor) and BCT (Bi-
involves both very high currents and ultra high voltages, plus directionally controlled thyristor). BCTs are particularly suitable
exacting demands for reliability. The development of thyristor in situations where room is scarce and current handling capa-
valves for Static Var Compensators is based on this know- bility moderate.
how.
In the BCT, anti-parallel thyristors have been integrated on a
ABB has chosen to use the ETT (Electrically Triggered Thyristor) common silicon wafer and therefore, only one thyristor stack
concept for both FACTS and HVDC referring to the vast avail- is required instead of two (one for each current direction).
able experience and track records of operation reliability. With this arrangement, only half the number of thyristor
housings is needed. The number of components in a valve is
reduced, saving space as well as complexity.

8 Successful thyristor technology | Static Var Compensatore

Cooling system Directly connected SVC
The cooling system consists of a closed loop piping circuit A directly connected SVC is an SVC where there is no need
where a mixture of de-ionized water and glycol is pumped for a step-down transformer to be connected between the
through the thyristor valves and outdoor water to air heat SVC and the power system. ABB offers direct connection for
exchangers. There are two water-circulating pumps, one is in system voltages up to 69 kV. This, of course, brings benefits
operation and the other is stand-by. In case of a pump failure to the project of a variety of kinds:
an automatic switch over to the stand by unit will be initiated.
A small portion of the flow is by passed through a water treat- –– A simplified SVC scheme
ment circuit where the coolant is continuously de-ionized and –– A substantial hardware cost saving
filtered. –– A saving in transportation cost, weight and volume
–– A saving of site footprint
An outdoor dry air blast cooler is used, connected directly –– A saving of plant losses
over the main circuit. Low noise fans are employed for reduc- –– No need to handle transformer oil
ing sound levels. All fans are individually controlled to ensure –– No fire hazard
sufficient cooling with minimum losses. –– No transformer maintenance costs
–– Easy expandability since transformer rating and secondary
The cooling system is automatically controlled by the MACH voltage rise is not an issue when adding branches.
system. –– Shorter lead times, not influenced by long transformer
delivery times.

Cooling water pump unit Dry air blast cooler Directly connected SVC

Shunt capacitors and reactors

ABB has a comprehensive, high density capacitor pro- Low noise shunt reactors help fulfil the strictest requirements on noise reduc-
gramme, with up to 1 Mvar or more in one single can. This tion from SVCs.
ensures a compact build-up of capacitor banks.

Static Var Compensatore | Successful thyristor technology 9

Relocatable SVC

Power industry deregulation is introduced to meet growing Easy to erect and commission
market demands for flexibility. If this is to be the case in prac- The modular design facilitates simple on site erection and
tice, technical solutions must also be flexible. commissioning. Prefabricated buswork and cabling ensures
quick and easy inter-module connection.
ABB’s relocatable Static Var Compensator concept (RSVC)
was conceived precisely for this purpose. This SVC mobility The modular build-up also enables much of the equipment
means dynamic voltage support can be obtained where it is and system testing to be done in the workshop prior to delivery,
most needed in the power grid to meet the current demand which also saves time and money.
for network stability.

Modular design
The truly mobile design of the RSVC enables an installation
to be fully relocated within weeks. The RSVC is modular and
transportable by road by means of standard vehicles. Its
compact design and technical excellence guarantee quiet
operation and low magnetic interference, thereby lessening
the environmental impact.

10 Relocatable SVC | Static Var Compensatore

Wind and Railways

For wind power, SVC aids in a number of tasks: Railways

The increase in traffic on existing tracks combined with new
–– Steady-state and dynamic voltage stabilization high-speed rail projects mean rail traction is fast becoming an
–– Continuous power factor control important load on electrical supply grids. This in turn is focusing a
–– Enabling fault ride-through of the wind farm lot of attention on the efficiency of the catenary as well as the
–– Power quality control by mitigation of flicker (caused by power quality of the surrounding grids. Trains taking power
tower shadow effect, fluctuating wind, and/or starts and from the catenary need to be sure the supply voltages are
stops of WTGs); also harmonic reduction and reduction of stable and do not sag.
phase imbalance.
Voltage and current imbalances between phases of three-
phase AC supply systems must also be confined in magnitude
For off-shore wind generation, comprehensive AC sea cable and prevented from spreading through the grid to other parts
networks call for additional elaborate reactive power control. of the system. Likewise, voltage fluctuations and harmonics
The overall scope of reactive power control should encompass need to be controlled if they are to stay within the stipulated
the wind farm just as well as the sea cables, to bring about a limits. This is where SVC comes in.
well regulated reactive power balance of the whole system,
answering to the same demands on reactive power regulation
as any other medium to large generator serving the grid.

Static Var Compensatore | Wind and Railways 11

SVCs for all applications

As a result of large power demanding industry development

in central Norway, the demand in the region has increased
dramatically and is expected to grow further. The power im-
port capacity to the region has previously been limited for sys-
tem stability reasons. As a remedy, two SVCs were installed
in the 420/300 kV grid, each rated at -/+ 250 Mvar. With the
installation of the SVCs, the power import capacity to the
region under stable conditions has increased considerably.

The SVCs are equipped for damping of system electro-mechanical

oscillations by means of Power Oscillation Dampers based on
active power measurements. They are furthermore equipped
with Q Optimizers, which enables coordinated control between
the SVCs and mechanically switched shunt capacitors also
employed in the grid. This ensures that the SVCs have maxi-
mum dynamic capability available to provide fast response to
counteract grid disturbances.

A very large SVC was commissioned at the end of 2007 at a

key substation near Rawlings, Maryland in USA. The instal-
lation enhances the reliability on the 500 kV transmission
system – one of the most heavily-loaded in the PJM (Penn-
sylvania, Jersey, Maryland) Interconnection area – by quickly
changing reactive power levels to control the line’s voltage.

In addition to improving reliability, the SVC enables increased

transmission capacity across the PJM region. Enabling more
power to flow on existing lines is an efficient use of resources
and an important step in keeping pace with the region’s
increased demand for electricity.

The SVC is rated at 500 kV, -145/+575 Mvar. The turnkey

project was completed in 14 months, a record time given its
scope, size, and complexity. The SVC is equipped with an
advanced control system capable of controlling not only the
operation of the SVC itself, but also the switching of two local
500 kV Mechanically Switched Capacitor banks (MSC).

The Saudi Electricity Company operates a power transmis-

sion system comprising 380 kV OH lines and underground ca-
bles. Operating conditions are special due to the hot climate,
with up to 80% of the total load consisting of air conditioners.
From a grid point of view, air conditioning is a particularly de-
manding kind of load, with slow voltage recovery, motor stall-
ing or even voltage collapse in conjunction with short circuits
in the transmission or sub-transmission network. To get to
grips with this situation, three large SVCs have been installed
in the region, with the explicit purpose of keeping the grid volt-
age stable as air conditioners all over the place are running at
full speed. The SVCs, rated each at 110 kV, -60/+600 Mvar,
were taken into service in 2008 and 2009.

12 SVCs for all applications | Static Var Compensatore

Two SVCs are in operation in the power grid in Bretagne,
France, one rated at 225 kV, -100/+200 Mvar and the other
at 225 kV, -50/+100 Mvar. Grid voltage control is a key
issue in the region and the SVCs have the following tasks:

–– Allow fast supply of reactive power upon the appearing

of faults in the grid.
–– Absorb reactive power to control the grid voltage during
low load or high level of distributed generation.
–– Add flexibility and smoothness to grid voltage control.
–– Prevent tripping of wind farms located in the region.

The SVCs have proved their usefulness in the power grid.

They have sustained the network during situations with low
grid voltage and all available MSCs connected. They have
also brought increased flexibility into network management,
and have increased the voltage stability due to TCR fine
adjustment.

A mining complex in Peru, situated in the Andes moun-

tains at an altitude of more than 4.000 meters above the
sea level, is a major copper and zinc producer, one of the
largest in the world. A prerequisite for production was the
development of adequate utility infrastructure to feed the
mine complex, as the feeding grid system was too weak to
support the loads without proper measures taken. As a
solution, an SVC was installed, rated at 45 Mvar inductive
to 90 Mvar capacitive. Its purpose is to stabilize the 220 kV
voltage at the mine feeding substation to within ± 5%, per-
mitting safe operation of very large mining machinery even
under the most restrictive power system conditions.

Western Texas, USA has an abundance of wind power.

Adequate dynamic reactive power support is necessary to
maintain system operation at acceptable voltage levels. To
improve and maintain voltage stability, ABB has supplied
and installed three SVCs in the system. Each SVC is rated
at -40/+50 Mvar. Two SVCs are connected directly to 69 kV
without any need for step-down transformers. The third is
connected to the 34.5 kV tertiary winding of an existing
345/138 kV autotransformer. Each installation was initially
scheduled to take 11 months from the time of initiation to
the end of commissioning. Two of the SVCs were actually
completed in just 10 months.

A total of seven SVCs were supplied to High Speed 1, the

108 km high-speed rail line between London, UK and the
channel tunnel at Dover. With this link in operation, it is
possible to travel between London and Paris in just over
two hours at a maximum speed of 300 km/h. Six of the
SVCs, each rated at -5/+40 Mvar single-phase are used
mainly for dynamic voltage support. The seventh SVC,
rated at -80/+170 Mvar is needed for dynamic balancing of
asymmetrical loads between phases.

Static Var Compensatore | SVCs for all applications 13

ABB – the pioneer
...and market leader of SVC

14 ABB – the pioneer | Static Var Compensatore

ABB was one of the first companies to identify the importance
of effective and rapid control of reactive power. As the market
leader in static var compensation, ABB´s know-how in this
field is acknowledged world-wide.

We commissioned the first large commercial thyristor-

switched capacitor installation (1972) and also launched the
first combined type Static Var Compensator, TCR/TSC (1979).
Many of these are still in operation.

ABB SVCs have been installed by power utilities and industrial

plants around the world for all existing voltages between 10 kV
and 800 kV. And the technical and economy advantages of
this technology are becoming increasingly recognized.

Today, close to 500 ABB SVCs are in operation or under

installation all over the world. A selection of these are shown
in the world map.

Static Var Compensatore | ABB – the pioneer 15

Contact us

ABB AB

A02-0100 E, 2015-03, Elanders Sverige AB

FACTS
SE-721 64 Västerås,
SWEDEN
Phone: +46 (0)21 32 50 00
Fax: +46 (0)21 32 48 10

www.abb.com/FACTS