Individual Channel Analysis of the Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator Performance

The TCSC is the electronically-controlled counterpart of the conventional series bank of capacitors. A mature member of the FACTS technology, the TCSC has the ability to regulate power flows along the compensated line and to rapidly modulate its effective impedance. In this paper its performance is evaluated using Individual Channel Analysis and Design. Fundamental analysis is carried out to explain the generator dynamic behavior as affected by the TCSC. Moreover, a control system design for the system is presented, with particular emphasis in the closed-loop performance and stability and structural robustness assessment. It is formally shown that the incorporation of a TCSC operating in its capacitive range improves the dynamical performance of the synchronous machine by decreasing the electrical distance and therefore considerably reducing the awkward switchback characteristic exhibited by synchronous generators. It is also formally proven in the paper that the inductive operation should be avoided as it impairs system operation. In general, the TCSC inclusion brings on fragility into the global system, making it non-minimum phase and introducing adverse dynamics in the speed channel of the synchronous machine. Moreover, it is shown that the minimum-phase condition may also be present in cases featuring high capacitive compensation levels.