STATCOM to enhance power quality and security of rail traction supply

With increasing focus on economical as well as environmentally friendly mass transit, rail transport is gaining momentum in many countries. This means investing in novel rail infrastructure as well as upgrading and electrifying existing facilities. The TEN (Trans-European Network) programme within the European Union is but one current example of the importance attributed to more and better mass transit all over the world. Modern high-speed rail traction systems exert heavy and complex loadings on supply grids. Usually, power is taken between two phases, thereby causing substantial unbalance between phases in networks originally not at all built for this kind of operation. Unless remedied, the result will be deterioration of power quality, not only harmful to the traction system itself, but also prone to spreading through the supply grid, disturbing other users of power in the same grid. Consequently, with electrified rail traction, it is essential to ensure that Grid Codes set up by grid owners and operators are fulfilled at all times. The paper treats STATCOM as a means for power quality improvement in grids dominated by high speed rail traction, as well as highlights a recent installation for this same purpose in Europe.