The interline power flow controller concept: a new approach to power flow management in transmission systems

The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) prop a new concept for the compensation and effective power flow management of multi-line transmission systems. In its general form, the IPFC employs a number of inverters with a common dc link, each to provide series compensation for a selected line of the transmission system. Because of the common dc link, any inverter within the IPFC is able to transfer real power to any other and thereby facilitate real power transfer among the lines of the transmission system. Since each inverter is also able to provide reactive compensation, the IPFC is able to carry out an overall real and reactive power compensation of the total transmission system. This capability makes it possible to equalize both real and reactive power flow between the lines, transfer power from overloaded to underloaded lines, compensate against reactive voltage drops and the corresponding reactive line power, and to increase the effectiveness of the compensating system against dynamic disturbances. The paper explains the basic theory and operating characteristics of the IPFC with phasor diagrams, P-Q plots and simulated waveforms.