FACTS for cost-effective improvement of power feeding of large mining complexes

Loads such as mine hoists, mining shovels, crushers, etc for mining are demanding and also sensitive to dips and fluctuations in feeding voltage, thereby depending on secure, high quality power supply. At the same time, mining complexes are often remotely located, where power is weak and unpredictable. A traditional way to deal with poor power supply is reinforcing the grid by building new lines, uprating voltages to higher levels, or building local power plants to supply parts or the total of the load. Such measures, however, are expensive and time-consuming, if at all permitted. A more cost as well as time effective way may be to introduce FACTS, thereby utilizing existing facilities more efficiently. The paper highlights SVC and STATCOM for improving power supplies to mining industry, offers some salient design features, as well as gives examples of current, successful FACTS installations for the purpose in the world.