Tools for optimal network control-HVDC and FACTS

Most of the regulatory frameworks put in place as part of the unbundling of the electricity supply industry contains provision for the building of transmission links, which will not receive regulatory support, but derive market based income from provision of transmission services. Many so called Merchant Transmission schemes have been considered, but because of the relative immaturity of the arrangements for electricity supply, it is not surprising that only a few have been implemented so far. Thus, many opportunities still exist for Merchant Transmission links. One of the keys to the success of a Merchant Transmission link is that it is controllable, and this paper describes some of the tools available to achieve this goal.