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The new power system effectively integrates a large number of distributed renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic, wind energy, small hydropower, and biomass energy. This significantly reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and enhances the sustainability and environmental friendliness of energy supply. Compared to distribution networks in traditional power systems, the new-generation distribution network offers notable advantages in improving energy efficiency, reliability, environmental protection, and system flexibility, but it also faces a series of new challenges. These challenges include potential harmonic issues introduced by the widespread use of power electronic devices (such as inverters for renewable energy generation systems and electric vehicle charging stations) and the voltage fluctuations and flickering caused by the intermittency and uncertainty of renewable energy generation, which may affect the normal operation of electrical equipment. To address these challenges, this study proposes an optimization model aimed at minimizing network losses and voltage deviations, utilizing traditional capacitor adjustments and static var compensators (SVCs) as optimization measures. Furthermore, this study introduces an improved version of the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm, specifically enhanced to address the unique challenges of reactive power optimization in modern distribution networks. The test results show that this algorithm can effectively generate a large number of Pareto optimal solutions. The application of this algorithm on a 33-node network case study demonstrates its advantages in reactive power optimization. The optimization results highlight the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed improved algorithm in the application of distribution network reactive power optimization, offering users a uniform and diverse range of reactive compensation solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the comparison of 3D and 2D finite element models of a power transformer designed for reactive power compensation stations. There is a lack of studies in the literature on internal electromagnetic phenomena in the active part of a transformer operated in these conditions. The results of numerical 2D and 3D calculations of no-load current and losses in the transformer core were obtained by using various methods and models. The impact of considering the hysteresis loop phenomenon on the calculation of core losses was investigated by using the Jiles–Atherton core losses model. The results obtained in the paper show that the model of the core must contain the areas representing the influence of overlappings on the no-load current and also on the flux density field in the core. The capacitive load of the transformer increases the flux density in the core limbs by several percent, so the power losses there must also increase accordingly. As a summary of the research, differences in the values of losses in each core element between the capacitive load and no-load conditions are presented. The results presented in this paper indicate that considering nonlinearity related to the magnetic hysteresis loop has a significant impact on the calculation of the core losses of power transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A constant worldwide growing load stress over a power system compelled the practice of a reactive power injection to ensure an efficient power network. For this purpose, multiple technologies exist in the knowledge market out of which this paper emphasizes the usage of the flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) and presents a comparative study of the static var compensator (SVC) with the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), inducted in a real electric substation. The aim is to improve the power factor (PF) and power quality and to encounter reliably extreme conditions. A 220 kV electric substation was opted for the analysis, and both the static and dynamic conditions were observed with the help of a power system analysis tool termed PowerFactory-DIgSILENT. Multiple aspects were investigated via software simulations to assess the performance of the aforementioned FACTS devices, such as the voltage profile evaluation via the load flow analysis method (LFA), the harmonic response via the power quality and harmonic analysis tool, and the short-circuit response via the RMS simulation tool. The outcomes were verified and compared with permissible values included in the universal standards, such as IEC and IEEE. The superiority of the STATCOM over the SVC was proven in light of the simulative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the reactive power and voltage control problem caused by the high proportion of new energy connected to the power grid, this paper takes the minimum voltage deviation, minimum network loss and maximum dynamic reactive power margin of the whole system as the comprehensive optimization objectives and establishes a reactive power and voltage optimization model by considering the reactive power regulation ability of SVC (Static Var Compensator) and new energy units. In view of the continuous and discrete variables in the model, the traditional continuous FPA (Flower Pollination Algorithm) is discretized to form an improved continuous-discrete hybrid FPA, and the tournament selection mechanism is adopted to speed up the convergence. Through the example analysis of the IEEE-39 bus system, the feasibility of the proposed reactive power and voltage optimal control method in the new energy grid is verified. Compared with GA (Genetic Algorithm), the results show that the improved FPA has high optimization accuracy, which is suitable for solving the reactive power and voltage optimization problem of the new energy grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, an alternative methodology is proposed for the location of Static VAR Compensators (SVC) in power systems, considering the reconfiguration of reactive power flows through the optimal switching of the transmission stage, which resembles the contingency restriction N-1 usually considered in transmission expansion planning. Based on this methodology, the contingency index was determined, which made it possible to determine which is the contingency that generates the greatest voltage degradation in the system. For the quantification of reactive flows, optimal AC power flows were used, which minimize the operating costs of the power system subject to transmission line switching restrictions, line charge-ability, voltages and node angles. To determine the node in which the compensation should be placed, the contingency index criterion was used, verifying the voltage profile in the nodes. The proposed methodology was tested in the IEEE test systems of 9, 14 nodes and large-scale systems of 200, 500 and 2000 bus-bars; to verify that the proposed methodology is adequate, the stability of the EPS was verified. Finally, the model allows satisfactorily to determine the node in which the SVC is implemented and its compensation value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new multilevel one-cycle control (OCC) technique for a five-level diode-clamped multilevel converter (DCMC)-based static VAR compensator (STATCOM). The OCC algorithm in combination with multi-carrier level-shifted PWM control is used in the proposed five-level DCMC-based STATCOM. The automatic dc link voltage balance is simply realized by four voltage compensators presented as the part of the OCC controller. In this paper the OCC principle of a two-level converter-based STATCOM is reviewed and extended to the five-level DCMC-based STATCOM. The proposed multilevel OCC control method of the five-level DCMC-based STATCOM in steady-state and dynamic operation modes is verified by simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the four-quadrant operation modes of bidirectional chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) framed in smart car parks. A cascaded model predictive control (MPC) scheme for the bidirectional two-stage off-board chargers is proposed. The controller is constructed in two stages. The model predictive direct power control for the grid side is applied to track the active/reactive power references. The model predictive direct current control is proposed to achieve constant current charging/discharging for the EV load side. With this MPC strategy, EV chargers are able to transmit the active and reactive powers between the EV batteries and the power grid. Apart from exchanging the active power, the vehicle-for-grid (V4G) mode is proposed, where the chargers are used to deliver the reactive power to support the grid, simultaneously combined with grid-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-grid operation modes. In the V4G mode, the EV battery functions as the static var compensator. According to the simulation results, the system can operate effectively in the full control regions of the active and reactive power (PQ) plane under the aforementioned operation modes. Fast dynamic response and great steady-state system performances can be verified through various simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In AC railway electrification systems, the impact of reactive power flow in the feeding voltage magnitude is one aspect contributing to the quality of supply degradation. Specifically, this issue results in limitations in the infrastructure capacity, either in the maximum number of trains and in maximum train power. In this paper, two reactive power compensation strategies are presented and compared, in terms of the theoretical railway infrastructure capacity. The first strategy considers a static VAR compensator, located in the neutral zone and compensating the substation reactive power, achieving a maximum capacity increase up to 50% without depending on each train active power. The second strategy adapts each train reactive power, achieving also a capacity increase around 50%, only with an increase of the train apparent power below 10%. With a smart metering infrastructure, the implementation of such compensation strategy is viable, satisfying the requirements of real-time knowledge of the railway electrification system state. Specifically, the usage of droop curves to adapt in real time the compensation scheme can bring the operation closer to optimality. Thus, the quality of supply and the infrastructure capacity can be increased with a mobile reactive power compensation scheme, based on a smart metering framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]