Flexible AC Transmission by Thyristor Switched Static VAR Compensator
The Static VAR Compensator is a device of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) family using power electronics to control power flow on power grids. The SVC regulates voltage at its terminal by controlling the amount of reactive power injected into or absorbed from the power system. When overall s
2025-06-28 16:32:37 - Adil Khan
Flexible AC Transmission by Thyristor Switched Static VAR Compensator
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryThe Static VAR Compensator is a device of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) family using power electronics to control power flow on power grids. The SVC regulates voltage at its terminal by controlling the amount of reactive power injected into or absorbed from the power system. When overall system load is inductive, capacitors are added to the system. Similarly in case of capacitive system, inductors are added to the system. The varied addition of reactive power is performed by switching TSR (Thyristor Switched Reactors) and TSC (Thyristor Switched Capacitors) and the switching is controlled by programming of microcontroller.
Project ObjectivesMain idea for this project is to replace the manual control of power supply enhancement with automatic methods. Also, this project aims to change methods of switching control equipment by using thyristors instead of relays in order to eliminate the mechanical losses and overall increase the life of the product.
The main purpose of choosing this project was to improve the quantity and quality of power supplied to the consumer. Improving both these aspects of power supply results in better utilization of generation equipment capacity, which consequently is beneficial to the national grid.
Project Implementation MethodInitially thyristor switched capacitor and inductor banks are designed to test the working of thyristors as high voltage switches. Then a zero cross detector is implemented to give a real time measurement of power factor or the load. This measurement is fed to microcontroller which displays it to the user on an LED screen. Also micrcontroller will determine the load effect of system and will accordingly switch the required amount of branches of capacitor or inductor bank to improve the overall power factor of the system.
Benefits of the ProjectThis project is applicable to distribution stations where majority of the load is inductive and hence the automatic capacitor bank will act efficiently in this condition. But its maximum productivity will be at transmission stage where long distances create capacitive effect on the system. Here the device can be used for compensation of both inductive as well as capacitive reactive powers hence improving power quality at the transmission stage.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableThe current project is a prototype for the bigger application so load limit ranges from 50W to 3kW. The capacitor and inductor bank is currently limited to 10 branches. It means that 10 inductors and capacitors are currently a part of this project which limit the power factor measuring and operating range from 0.65 to 0.95. Also current operating voltage and frequency of the device are 220V and 50 Hz respectively.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry OthersOther IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and ProductionRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 14910 | |||
| thyristors | Equipment | 50 | 20 | 1000 |
| optocouplers | Equipment | 30 | 40 | 1200 |
| push buttons | Equipment | 30 | 5 | 150 |
| connector | Miscellaneous | 40 | 10 | 400 |
| resistor | Equipment | 30 | 2 | 60 |
| heat sink | Equipment | 40 | 10 | 400 |
| IC base | Equipment | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| veroboard | Equipment | 7 | 150 | 1050 |
| bulb | Equipment | 15 | 40 | 600 |
| bulb holders | Miscellaneous | 15 | 40 | 600 |
| wire | Equipment | 14 | 30 | 420 |
| transformer | Equipment | 1 | 250 | 250 |
| diodes | Equipment | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| power cable | Equipment | 1 | 170 | 170 |
| crocodile clips | Miscellaneous | 8 | 10 | 80 |
| DC power supply | Miscellaneous | 1 | 750 | 750 |
| microcontroller | Equipment | 1 | 750 | 750 |
| microcontroller base | Miscellaneous | 1 | 300 | 300 |
| motor | Miscellaneous | 0 | 7800 | 0 |
| power meter | Miscellaneous | 1 | 3500 | 3500 |
| LM7805 | Miscellaneous | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| plug | Miscellaneous | 1 | 50 | 50 |
| capacitors | Equipment | 10 | 150 | 1500 |
| triacs | Equipment | 25 | 30 | 750 |
| tool kit | Miscellaneous | 1 | 800 | 800 |