Enabling long distance AC power transmission by means of FACTS

Power interconnections are becoming increasingly important in various parts of the world, as incentives for power exchange between countries are growing. For a variety of reasons, it is desirable to keep transmission corridors as slender as possible, i.e. keeping the number of lines as small as possible, while still keeping adequate stability and power transmission capacity over the corridor. This is true, no matter if it concerns a green-field project, or if it is a question of extending an existing transmission corridor into higher power transmission capability. To achieve this, FACTS is a highly useful option, from technical, economic and environmental points of view, to increase the utilization and stability of transmission systems or interties. The paper presents some salient design features as well as recent operational experience of FACTS for enabling or improving cross-border as well as interregional power transfer in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way.