IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 11, No.

4, November 1996

2024

A 735 kV SHUNT REACTORS AUTOMATIC SWITCHING SYSTEM

FOR HYDRO-QUEBEC NETWORK
Serge Bernard
Non member
Hydro-Quebec
Montreal, Quebec

Gilles Trudel
Member
Hydro-Quebec
Montreal, Quebec

Guy Scott
Member
Hydro-Quebec
Montreal, Quebec

ABSTRACT
In recent years, Hydro-Quebec has undertaken a major
program to upgrade the reliability of its transmission system.
Much efforts have been directed toward increasing the
system's capacity to withstand extreme contingencies,
usually caused by multiple incidents or the successive tripping of transmission lines.
In order to counter such events, Hydro-Quebec has adopted
a defensive scheme. Based entirely on automatic action, this
scheme will mainly rely on:
- a 735 kV shunt reactor switching system (called MAIS);
- a generation rejection and/or remote load-shedding
system (called RPTC);
- an underfrequency load-shedding system.
The MAIS system, which is the subject of this paper, will be
implemented in 22 substations and is required to control
voltage on the system after a severe event. Each MAIS
system, acting locally, is entirely independent and will close
or trip shunt reactors in response to local conditions.
Keywords: extreme contingencies, shunt reactor tripping,
shunt reactor closing, stability, modes of oscillations, voltage
measurement.

FlGURE 1 Hydro-Qu6bec transmission system 1996

1. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, Hydro-Quebec has devoted substantial
efforts to analyze the reliability of its system. The result has
been to make the design criteria for its transmission system
more rigorous and establish an extensive program t o
strengthen its existing infrastructures. The main goals of this
program are to improve service quality for the Quebec's
customers, enhance the reliability of its transmission system
and respect the requirements and criteria in force in the
Northeast (Northeast Power Coordinating Council).
The new transmission system design criteria express the
higher demands for reliability that Hydro-Quebec has
adopted. Studies have shown that the most attractive solution for meeting the new requirements is to add series
compensation, shunt reactors and special protection
systems.
96 WM 283-2 PWRS A paper recommended and approved by the IEEE
Power System Engineering Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering
Society for presentation at the 1996 IEEE/PES Winter Meeting, January 2125, 1996, Baltimore, MD. Manuscript submitted July 21, 1995; made
available for printing November 30, 1995.

The addition of series compensation to the existing system

(which already included dynamic shunt compensation) makes
it possible to make the system more robust and ensure that the
stability is maintained during normal contingencies. Figure 1
illustrates the system as planned for 1996 and specifies the
quantity and location of the additional series compensation.
The addition of 735 kV shunt reactors is required to respect
the new operating requirements of the low-load system, which
stipulate that the system must have sufficient equipment to
support a load variation from 100% to 50% without line
switching, in order to control the voltage.
Finally, Hydro-QuBbec decided to develop a plan of defence
against extreme contingencies on its power system. Based
entirely on automatic actions, this new defence plan is based
mainly on:
- a 735 kV shunt reactor switching system, known by its
French acronym as MAIS, whose principal object is to
control voltage on the system after a severe event;

0885-8950/96/$05.000 1996 IEEE

2025

- a generation rejection and/or remote load shedding

system (called RPTC), whose main purpose is to preserve
system stability during very severe extreme contingencies
involving the loss of several 735 kV lines;

- an underfrequency load-shedding system, whose function

is to restore the generation-load equilibrium.

Table 1 shows the possible operation of the recommended

measures for various extreme contingencies studied and
makes it possible to appreciate the role played by MAIS.
The Hydro-Quebec system defence plan is thus intended to
reduce as far as possible the frequency and extent of outages
resulting from extreme contingencies. The automatic
switching of 735 kV shunt reactors (MAIS), which is the
subject of this paper, is an essential component of this
defence plan. The purpose of this paper is to present the
design principles, main characteristics and principal problems
encountered in the design of MAIS.
RPTC

EXTREME CONTINGENCIES MAIS UFLS LImitedI GR

Loss ot all transmission circuits I

on common right-of-wa)
a) two 735 kV lines
b) three 735 kV lines
AC-DC event;
loss of a bipolar line with:
a loss of one ac 735 kv line
b{ an other extreme contingency
Loss of a generating station or
a part of it (up to 5300 MW)
Sudden dropping of a major
load center (up
. . to 4300 MW)
Loss of all 735 kV lines
emanating from a station.
Unintended operation of an
soecial Drotection svstem
I

[
I

**
**
*
*
*
*

GA

I RLS

* * .*
* * *
*

*
*
I

The most interesting characteristics of the Hydro-Quebecs

power system in terms of voltage control are the following (for
the 1996 system):
- Total charging of the 11 000 km of 735 kV lines is about
30 000 Mvar.
- Voltage control at 73!5 kV is provided partly by 735 kV
shunt reactors switchling and partly by dynamic shunt
compensation. The extent of the system and the distance
from the load centres mean that the generating stations
themselves are not sufficient to ensure the systems
voltage control.

- The total quantity of ShlJnt reactors installed on the 735 kV

system is 25 500 Mvar, of which about 11 000 Mvar are
switched in the peak power system. The other reactors
are used to control voltage in light load conditions. The
shunt reactor installations consist of 165 or 330 Mvar units
operated by circuit breakers and installed on most of the
735 kV line terminals.
- The dynamic shunt compensation installations consist of
11 static var compensators (typical range from -100 to
+ 300 Mvar) and nine 250 MVA synchronous condensers.
The total dynamic shunt compensation capacity is about
5 800 Mvar for generation and 3,850 Mvar for absorption.
Figure I details the quantity and location of these
compensators on the power system. It should be pointed
out that about 25% of the range of the dynamic shunt
compensation facilities is reserved for controlling the
operating voltage, while the rest is dedicated to maintain
the power system stability.
- About 11 200 Mvar of series compensation contributes to
improve the stability of the power system and participates
in voltage regulation, as well as maintaining voltage after
contingencies.

- About 13 000 Mvar of shunt capacitors are installed on

the low voltage system:; and are used to regulate the load
power factor.

ij

TABLE 1
POSSIBLE OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC ACTIONS FOR
EXTREME CONTINGENCIES
f :Possible operation for worst conditions
MAIS: shunt reactor switching (closing or tripping)
UFLS: underfrequency load shedding
RPTC : generation rejection (GR) and/or remote load
shedding (RLS) system.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE POWER SYSTEM

Certain geographic constraints have played a decisive role in
the development of Hydro-Quebecs power system. The main
hydroelectriccomplexes are located more than 1 000 krn from
the main load centres. Some 11 000 km of 735 kV lines, thirty
substations and a k 450-kV direct current line make up the
systems skeleton. Overall output of about 35 000 MW is
projected for the 1996 system illustrated in Figure 1. The
distance between generation and load, the concentration of
the generation sites, the use of a very extended 735 kV transmission system and the isolation of the system (no synchronous link with its neighbors) make stability and voltage control
major concerns of the design of the Hydro-QuBbecs power
system.

3. FUNCTIONAL CHAIRACTERISTICS OF MAIS

3.1 Why use MAIS on the Hydro-Quebec power grid?
Hydro-Quebecs desires to preserve the integrity of the
system following very severe events like those listed in Table
1, combined with the fact that its system is particularly voltage
sensitive, are the main reasons for the use of an automatic
voltage control system.
When the choice was made among the various measures
available, the decision to use shunt reactors switching by
circuit breakers (MAIS) was determined mainly by the
following factors:
Rapid control of voltage on the 735 kV system is not
required because the power system is already equipped
with static var compensators and synchronous
condensers. MAIS does not play any role in maintaining
the systems transient stability. That role is provided by
series compensation and dynamic shunt compensation
during normal contingencies and the special protection
system that rejects generation and causes remote loadshedding during extreme contingencies (RPTC).

2026

- The power system has a large number of shunt reactors

that can be operated in power system states in which the
extreme contingencies are the most severe (i.e. in heavily
loaded systems).

- MAlS will be used infrequently (it is used only after an

extreme contingency).
The automatic switching of shunt reactors by circuit breakers
has proven to be the most attractive solution for the proposed
function. Moreover, Hydro-Quebec has already acquired
some expertise in the use of this means which is used at this
time in some substations to enhance the transmission
capacity of the existing system.

3.2 Objectives in the design of MAIS and basic functions

The automatic switching of shunt reactors (MAIS) is intended
to control voltage on the system after an extreme contingency, in order to ensure proper system behavior. MAlS
performs a complementary slow voltage action when the
dynamic range of the shunt compensation equipment is
insufficient to restore voltage after an extreme contingency.
More precisely, the main objectives guiding the design of
MAlS were as follows:
- restore voltage on the 735 kV system within the voltage
emergency limits (ideally before operation of the tap
changers);
- preserve the continuity of operation of the D.C. links;
- only operate the required number of shunt reactors and
avoid a massive operation of reactors;
- not interact with normal system operation.
The two basic functions that MAlS must be able to perform
are the closing and tripping of shunt reactors in its substations in response to local conditions.The extreme contingencies shown in Table f can be divided into two groups for
which MAlS should have a different action.
a) Extreme contingencies that show up as a major reduction of power previously flowing on the system (example:
generation andor load losses), creating overvoltage on the
power system because of its capacitive nature. Closing
735 kV shunt reactors is then required to control these
overvoltages on the system. The local variable selected to
guide this closing is the voltage.
b) Extreme contingencies that mainly affect the capacity of
the transmission system and which appear as long range
undervoltage on the system (for example, the loss of two
parallel lines, the simultaneous loss of an AC line and the
bipolar OC link). Tripping 735 kV shunt reactors is then
required to control these undervoltages. The two local variables selected to guide the tripping of shunt reactors are
the compepsators reactive output (for substation with
dynamic shunt compensation equipment) and the vottage
(for other substations)
MAIS must also be able to order the switching of shunt reactors in reSponse to an external signal i.e. from an external
special protection system (see section 6.4)

SUBSTATIONS

Albanel
Abitibi
Chibouuameau
La Verendrye

Isettinas for systems I Settings for svsterns

unhvoltiges
(preliminary)
Amplitude I duration Amplitude I duration

$$%
!\:

Chamouchouane

Duvernay
Levis
Manicouagan

Boucherville
Carianan
Laurentides
JaWes-Caher
Sasuenav
Monta nais
Arnaui
Micoua

75 % I 20 sec
75 % I 2 5 sec
75 Yo I 20 sec
75 % I 2 5 Sec
75 YOI 20 sec
7 5 YoI 25 sec
75 % I 20 sec
7 5 % 125 sec

1,lO p.u.11 sec

1,05 p.u J 7 sec
1,lO p.uJ 1 sec
1,05 p.u.15 sec
1,IOp.u./1,5 sec
1,05 D.UJ
6 sec
1,lO p.uJ 1 sec
1,05 p.uJ 7 sec

1,lO p.u./1,5 sec

1,05 p.u.16 sec

-0,035 p.u.1 15 sec

-0,03 p.u.130 sec

1,lO p.UJ 1 sec

1,05 p.uJ 7 sec

-0,035 p.u. 115 sec

-0,03 p.u. I 3 0 sec

TABLE 2 : MAIS LOCATIONS AND SETTINGS

Note 1 : based on nominal voltage 1.O p.u. = 735 kV)
Note 2: based on shunt compensa ors capacitive

nominal rating
Note 3 : based on substations initial voltage

3.3 Main characteristics of MAlS

Most of the 735 kV substations (22 out of a total of 30) will be

equipped with a MAlS system. Each MAlS is entirely independent and allows the closing or tripping of only the reactors at its
substation in response to local conditions.
Since each MAIS is independent, coordination in the operation

of all MAlS on the system must be assured by a careful choice

of settings associated with each MAIS. Generally speaking, two

parameters are used to provide this coordination: the overvoltage (or undervoltage) amplitude and its duration.Table 2
shows the selected substations and the preliminary settings for
each substation.
The basic operating principle for MAlS is to switch only one
reactor at a time when a set of conditions are met. If this action
is not sufficient, MAlS will then switch another reactor, after a
new verification of the conditions, until the total preset number
of switchable reactors in the substation has been reached,
In order to make safe and extensive use of the automatic
switching of shunt reactors in a system like Hydro-Quebecs, it
is necessary for reactor operations to be selective and limited to
what is required for each extreme contingency. It is, therefore,
essential that the MAlS action be regionalized according to the
various extreme contingencies possible in the system. To
obtain the required level of selectivity, a precise voltage reading
is necessary in each substation where MAIS is installed.

2027

Detailed studies (in transient and long-term stability) were carried

out to determine the individual settings for each MAIS and to
ensure that MAlS was at once reliable, safe and selective for the
system. These studies have shown:
a) that a functional redundancy is provided by the MAlS
installed at adjacent substations when a particular MAlS failed
to operate when required.
b) that the unwanted operation of a MAIS (switching when not
required) has no significant effect on the Hydro-Quebec's
system. Static compensators and synchronous condensers
provided the Mvar needed to counteract the effect of the reactors switched by MAIS.
c) that it is possible to discriminate among the various events
that can occur on the system and to switch the reactors taking
into account the location, duration and size of the overvoltages/
undervoltages resulting from these contingencies. Figures 2
and 3 illustrate the behavior of the system following two
extreme contingencies on the James Bay part of Hydro-Quebec
system. Figure 2 shows the behavior of the system after the
complete loss of the LG 2 generating station (5 300 MW) and
makes it possible to appreciate the effect of MAlS on overvoltage. Figure 3 shows the effect of MAIS on long range undervoltage after an AC-DC event (the simultaneous loss of the
bipolar DC link (2200 MW) and a 735 kV line). It can be seen in
the two cases, that MAlS (using only local variables) switch
reactors only in the portion of the system affected by the contingency (in load area and on James Bay section of the HydroQuebec's system).

.,

..

12

13

.,

.,

16
TIME (seconds)

FIGURE2 System's overvoltages. Frequenc and voltage at

Abitibi and Chenier substations after the loss of LZ-2 generating
station (5300 MW)
7-Underfrequencyload shedding (total 4500 MW / 4600 Mvar)
2- MAIS's operation: total = 3465 Mvar; 11 shunt reactors
in 8 substations (Albanel, Chibougameau, Chamouchouane,
Nemiscau, Abitibi, LaVBrendrye,Jacques-Cartierand Carignan)

The following sections provide a more detailed description of the

various functions of MAIS. It is important to note that the initial
design of MAlS includes a substantial provision for future development.

..............................
....

8
MAIS has been designed to order the closing or tripping of shunt
reactors according to a number of variables, the most important of
which is voltage amplitude. MAlS is intended to be adaptable and
can order:
-Closing of shunt reactors in overvoltage condition:
-Tripping of shunt reactors in undervoltagecondition;
-Tripping of shunt reactors in response to voltage variation from
a mean value;
-Closing or tripping of shunt reactors in frequency variation
conditions;
-Tripping of shunt reactors in function of the reactive power
produced by local dynamic compensators;
-Local and remote reactor tripping from external signal when
there are loss of line;
-Remote reactor tripping from external signal when there is loss
of Radisson Nicolet DC link;
-Closing or tripping of shunt reactors as a function of a combination of any or all of these previously processed signals.
MAlS evaluates the availability and the state of all reactors in its
substation and includes several supervision function among which
a anti-hunting function. All operation orders are subjected to
adjustable time delays. The MAlS functional diagram appears in
Figure 4.

...........

........... .................

4. SUMMARY OF MAlS FUNCTIONS

20

40

60

ID

100

120

140

160

200

180

TIME (seconds)

FIGURE 3 System's unakrvoltages Frequency and,volta e at

Chenier substations after the simultaneous loss of the bipolar%C
link (2200 MW) and a 735 kV line between Abitibi and La Verendrye
substations (MAIS's operation = 1980 Mvar in 5 substations ; Abitibi,Chamouchouane, Chibougameau, La Verendrye and Chenier)

Voltage amplitude
Frequency
Timer

External signal

Execution of shunt
reactor switching
Status, availability
and restriction
Hunting supervision
Orders to 4
reactor's breaker

FlGURE 4 MAlS functional diagram

2028
in reference [6]. It was necessary, among other things, to
overdimension the magnetic core and reduce the load burden
on this equipment, in order to obtain a higher saturation point
and better precision than provided by standard PTs.

5.1 Voltage Measurement

One of the biggest problems in designing MAlS has been to
obtain a precise measurement of the amplitude of the positive sequence of the fundamental frequency voltage, which is
the main control variable. This is particularly difficutt because
of the subsynchronous parallel resonance in the series
compensated system, which produces subsynchronous oscillations. The low frequency signal causes also some saturation of the transformers and produces harmonics and
intermodulations. These phenomena have already been
discussed in detail in references [3], [4] and [5]. Figure 5
shows a typical frequency response of the network
impedance. It is possible to observe the various resonances
present, especially the subsynchronous 6 Hz. Figure 6 shows
the wave form of the voltage during fault application and
elimination. A subsynchronous oscillation whose amplitude is
about 0.25 p.u. at a frequency of 6 Hz is easily discernible.

*E

I.

06
I.

5,

l2

* L o

-0 2

-c

36

In order to obtain the selectivity necessary for the MAIS

system to correctly carry out its functions, the overall error for
the whole measurement link, including errors due to the
measurement transformer and filtering of transient
phenomena, must be less than +I .O% on the whole voltage
range from 0.85 to 1.3 p.u.

15

05

Time(seconds)
FIGURE 6 Voltage wave form after fault clearing
5.3 Filtering Requirements

In order to determine the filtering necessary, a screening

study was conducted to determine the maximum amplitudes
of the transient oscillations at various frequencies of interest.
The results appear in Table 3.
All oscillations listed in Table 3 are not present simultaneously
with the maximum amplitude. Subsynchronous parallel
resonances are mainly present near the site of the disturbance; characteristically, they last about 3 seconds. MAlS
uses the Digital Fourier Transform technique to filter these
parasitic oscillations with a measurement time in the order of
200 ms. More details on filtering is given in reference [5].

HeHz

TYPE

FlGURf 5 Frequency response at a 735 kV substation

5.2 Potential Transformer

Respect for the precision constraint, which must be less than

1.O% in the whole measurement chain, has forced the specification of voltage measurement transformers whose precision is better than 0.3% with the presence of a wave form
seriously disturbed by very low frequency oscillations. The
special technical considerations related to the use of
magnetic voltage transformers are discussed in more detail

(W

(P.U.)

Subs nchronous
paralh resonances

5 to 20

0.25

Series resonances

about 30

-0.03

lntermodulation

The three-phase voltage is measured on a 735 kV busbar at

each of the substations in which MAlS is installed.

MAXIMUM AMPLIFREQUENCY TUDE

OBSERVED

Oversynchronous
parallel resonances

60+/-(5 to 20)

70 to 100

Harmonics

TABLE 3
1

FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDES OF TRANSIENT

OSCILLATIONS

'1

2029

6.

SWITCHING CONTROL

6.1 Closing or tripping with voltage thresholds

Closing or tripping of shunt reactors is ordered when an
adjustable voltage threshold is exceeded for a preset time
delay. Many separate overvoltage (adjustable from 1.O to 1.3
P.u.) and undervoltage thresholds (adjustable from 0.85 to
1.O P.u.) are available. Timers can be associated with each
threshold. One 165 or 330 Mvar reactor is switched when a
switching order is issued. Proposed preliminary settings are
shown in Table 2.
Events such as loss of one or more phases of a voltage
transformer, tripping of the busbar where the voltage
measurement is taken, fault on one phase or other failures
must be detected because they can trigger unwanted undervoltage shunt reactor tripping. Undervoltage tripping must be
disabled upon detection of any such event.
In order to increase MAlS availability, when a single phase is
judged abnormal, MAlS automatically goes into " emergency
mode At this point, the phase whose measurement is
declared faulty is no longer considered, and a degraded
measurement of the voltage is made using the two sound
phases. The average value of the two amplitudes available
makes it possible to obtain a rough estimate of the amplitude
of the positive sequence of the fundamental voltage. If more
than one phase is declared abnormal, the MAlS involved
becomes inoperative. Different but less selective thresholds
are used in emergency mode.
'I.

6.2 Tripping in response to voltage variation from a

mean value
The current mean value is continuously estimated during a
certain time. The instantaneous amplitude of the positive
sequence is continuously compared to this mean value.
When the difference between instantaneous value and mean
value exceeds an ajustable threshold, the current mean
value becomes the reference mean value for a preset ajustable time and tripping function becomes operative.
Shunt reactor tripping is ordered when the amplitude of the
positive sequence drops of a certain value below the reference mean value during a certain adjustable time. The
voltage dip threshold is available and adjustable from 0.02 to
0.10 p.u. and time setting is adjustable from 0 to 30 seconds.

6.3 Closing or tripping in response to a frequency

condition
Closing or tripping of shunt reactors can be ordered when an
adjustable frequency threshold or frequency gradient
threshold is exceeded. Many separate frequency settings
(adjustable from 55.0 to 65.0 Hz) and frequency gradient
settings (adjustable from -5.0 to +5.0 Hdsecond) are available.

6.4 Closing or tripping in response to an external

signals
Closing or tripping of shunt reactors can be also ordered by
an external signal. MAIS is intended to be adaptable and
allows an external signal to switch a reactor in a coordinated

fashion. The two following1 sections provide a description of

external signals presently Iknown.

6.4.1 Tripping In function of the reactive power

produced by dynamic compensators
Reactive power produced by each synchronous and static
compensator in network(figure1) is compared to an adjustable threshold. When this threshold is exceeded for an
adjustable preset time, a shunt reactor tripping is ordered.
Different threshold and teimporization are allocated to every
one dynamic compensators in the same substation.
Setting coordination is necessary to reset shunt reactor tripping orders when the threshold aren't exceeded anymore
because of preceding tripping in the same substation.
An adjustable dead time is necessary before to allow a new
tripping order in function of reactive power output from the
same compensator.

6.4.2 Local and remote ireactor tripping

Shunt reactors can be ordered by RPTC system. RPTC
system detects loss of line and can send external signal to
MAlS after analysis of the contingency. There are local reactors tripping in thirteen substations and remote reactor tripping in four substations.
Remote reactor tripping can also be ordered when there is
loss of Radisson Nicolet DC link.
6.5 Combination

Overvoltage, undervoltage, frequency and frequency gradient

detection as well as external signals from other systems can
be combined to check sevleral conditions simultaneously and
then issue an appropriate switching order. A time delay and
an amount of reactive [power to be switched must be
associated with each combination.

6.6 Execution of shunt reactor switching

In a given substation, MAlS selects the reactors to operate
and orders operations tak.ing their availability into account.
The state and the availabiility of each reactor are evaluated
locally based on the measiirements of the voltage present on
the line terminal and curreint present in the reactor. A reactor
that has been tripped by protection is considered unavailable.
The execution of each operation is checked and another
operation must be ordered1 in replacement if the first ordered
operation has not occurrfed. Also, the amount of reactive
power to be operated is checked, and an equivalency function in the selection of the reactors ensures the closest
possible respect for the prescribed quantity. Usually one
330 Mvar reactor is ordered per operation. However, if only
165 Mvar reactors are available, two reactors are operated.
The order of priority in which the reactors are operated can be
modified locally. It is also possible to withdraw one reactor
from operation while MAlS continues to operate normally with
the other reactors.

2030

Threshold settings must be selected with care to avoid

hunting in substations where closing and tripping functions
are selected simultaneously in response to voltage conditions. It is necessary to avoid selecting closing and tripping
thresholds that are too close to each other. However, MAlS
constantly analyzes the operation sequences and an antihunting function will block any operation that constitutes
more than two operations in reverse directions within a
certain time lapse.

7. SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
Each of the MAlS found locally in the 735 kV substations
consists of one precision voltage measurement transformer,
one measurement unit and a man-machine interface. MAlS is
designed to easily allow the modification of the existing functions and the addition of supplementary functions. Each
MAlS includes one programmable unit that provides this
adaptability.
Design and development are achieved and MAlS units installation will be realized in 1996.

8. CONcLUSION
A 735 kV automatic shunt reactor switching system (MAIS) is
required to control voltage on the Hydro-Quebec power
system after an extreme contingency. Implemented in twentytwo 735kV substations, each MAlS system is entirely independent and will be able to close or trip shunt reactors in
response to local conditions. In spite of the problems caused
by the presence of subsynchronous oscillations, MAlS is a
selective and reliable means to control voltage within the
desired operating ranges following extreme contingencies in
order to ensure proper system behavior.

9. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
MAlS achievement was made possible by the collaboration
of several Hydro-Quebec employees who specialize in
various technical aspects of the study of power systems and
systems design. We would like to thank them and acknowledge their contribution in particularly Danielle Mc Nabb and
Normand Legault, engineers with Hydro-Quebecs Planning
Department, and Jocelyn Lambert, Rene Lord and Yves
HBbert engineers with Hydro-Quebecs Automation and
Protection Department.

REFERENCES
[ l ] J.P. Gingras, D. Laurin, J. Potvin, Une fiabilite accrue
chez Hydro-Quebec, ClGRE Symposium (S38-91), La
f iab i I it e des reseaux e Iec t r i q u e, M o nt rea I(Ca n ad a),
September 1991.

[2] G. Trudel, Les automatismes de reseau: un complement

essentiel pour ameliorer l a fiabilite du reseau dHydroQuebec, CIGRE Symposium (S38-91), La fiabilite des
reseaux electrique, Montreal(Canada), September 1991.
[3] L. Gerin-Lajoie, Guy Scott, S. Brault, E.V. Larsen,
D.H.Baker, A.F. Imece, Hydro-Quebec Multiple SVC Application control stabilite study, IEEE, 90 WM 079-4 PWRD.
[4] E.V. Larsen, D.H. Baker, A.F. Imece, L. Gerin-Lajoie,
G. Scott, Basic aspect of applying SVCs to series-compensated AC transmission lines, IEEE, 90 WM 080-2 PWRD.

[5] J. Lambert, A.G. Phadke, D. Mc Nabb, Accurate voltage

phasor measurement in a series-compensated network,
IEEE, 93 WM 003-4PWRD.
[ 6 ] R. Lord, J. Lambert, Y. Hebert, R. Chaine, P. Riffon,
J.Parent Technical considerations concerning the use of
magnetic potentiel transformer on MOV series-compensated
transmission networv, IEEE, 94 WM 236-0 PWRS.

[7] F.Denomm6, M. Perrachon, Automatic load shedding

devices for preservation of the Hydro-Quebec power system,
IEEE, Conference canadienne sur les communications et
Ienergie, Octobre 83.

BIO GRAPHlES
Serge Bernard received a 6.Sc.A in electrical engineering in
1980 from Universite Laval(Quebec City), Quebec. Since
1980, he has worked in system planning for Hydro-Quebec
where he has been involved in several projects concerning
control, potection and special protection systems. Mr.
Bernard is registered professional engineer in the province of
Quebec.
Gilles Trudel received his B.SC.A. (1978) and M.lng (1986)
in Electrical Engineering from Ecole Polytechnique , University of Montreal, Canada. In 1978, he joined Hydro-Quebec
where he has been involved in the design of control and
protection for substations and power stations. Eight years
later, he moved to the System Planning departement where
he is now involved in planning high-voltage network, in
different aspects of power system security and in design of
special protection systems. Mr. Trudel is a member of the
IEEE Power Engineering Society and a registered professionnal engineer in the province of Quebec.
Guy Scott received a 6.Sc.A and M.Eng. in electrical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique (Universite de Montreal) in
1975 and 1980 respectively. Since 1975, he has worked in
system planning for Hydro-Quebec where he has been
involved in several projects concerning control, protection,
special protection systems, static vars compensators, series
compensation and dc interconnection. Mr. Scott is a menber
of IEEE and a registered professional engineer in the province of Quebec.