Microprocessor controlled reactive power compensator for loss reduction in radial distribution feeders

Author

Kearly, J. ; Chikhani, A.Y. ; Hackam, R. ; Salama, M.M.A. ; Quintana, V.H.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., R. Mil. Coll., Kingston, Ont., Canada

Volume

6

Issue

4

fYear

1991

fDate

10/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1848

Lastpage

1855

Abstract

A new real-time reactive power compensation scheme for distribution feeders is proposed. A network of data acquisition interfaces and microcontrolled fixed capacitor biased thyristor controlled reactors measures the reactive component of the load current at each feeder node and injects optimal levels of leading compensation current. The degree of compensation is determined by a dynamic approach, optimizing the total dollar savings which result for VAr compensation. Load currents are sampled every 3 s and compensation currents every 5 s and recalculated every 10 min. System response time is rapid enough to react to real-time load variations and closed loop control of thyristor firing angles enables adjustment for dynamic voltage fluctuations and compensator dissimilarities. A model compensation network was constructed and successfully tested in a laboratory environment

Keywords

closed loop systems; compensation; data acquisition; distribution networks; microcomputer applications; optimal control; power capacitors; power control; power system computer control; reactive power; thyristor applications; 10 min; 3 s; 5 s; capacitor biased thyristor controlled reactors; closed loop control; data acquisition interfaces; dynamic voltage fluctuations; economics; firing angles; load current; microprocessors; model; optimal control; power system computer control; radial distribution feeders; real-time reactive power compensation; response; Capacitors; Current measurement; Data acquisition; Delay; Inductors; Microprocessors; Optimal control; Reactive power; Reactive power control; Thyristors;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8977

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/61.97731

Filename

97731