Recent power electronics/FACTS installations to improve power system dynamic performance

In today's utility environment, financial and market forces are, and will continue to, demand a more optimal and profitable operation of the power system. Now, more than ever, advanced technologies are needed for the reliable and secure operation of power systems. To achieve both operational reliability and financial profitability, it has become clear that more efficient utilization and control of the existing transmission system infrastructure is required. Power electronics based equipment has been termed Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and can provide proven technical solutions to address these new operating challenges being presented today. FACTS technologies allow for improved transmission system operation with minimal infrastructure investment, environmental impact, and implementation time compared to the construction of new transmission lines. This paper summarizes several recent successful applications of power electronic equipment/FACTS to improve power system dynamic performance that were presented at two recent panel sessions in 2006 (Power Systems Conference and Exposition, Atlanta, GA, USA, October 29-November 1, 2006 and the Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, Dallas, TX, USA, May, 21-24, 2006) by a variety of utilities and manufacturers. While there were other papers presented at each of the two panel sessions in 2006, this summary is limited to those that were actual utility installations of the technology, including two power flow controller applications (one HVDC and one variable frequency transformer/VFT). The presentation that will accompany this paper will focus on recent trends and experiences in the overall North American marketplace with the installation of FACTS controllers.