Reactive Power

Laws of Reactive Physics

System load is comprised of resistive current (such as lights,
space heaters) and reactive current (induction motor reactance,
etc.).
Total current IT has two components.
IR resistive current
IQ reactive current
IT is the vector sum of IR & IQ

IT

IQ
IR

IT = IR + jIQ

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Laws of Reactive Physics

Complex Power called Volt Amperes (VA) is comprised of
resistive current IR and reactive current IQ times the voltage.
VA = VIT* = V (IR jIQ) = P + jQ

VA
Q

Power Factor (PF) = Cosine of angle between P andP VA

P = VA times PF

System Losses
Ploss = IT2 R (Watts)
Qloss = IT2 X (VARs)

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Reactive Physics VAR loss

Every component with reactance, X: VAR loss = IT2 X
Z is comprised of resistance R and reactance X

On 138kV lines, X = 2 to 5 times larger than R.

One 230kV lines, X = 5 to 10 times larger than R.
On 500kV lines, X = 25 times larger than R.
R decreases when conductor diameter increases. X increases as the
required geometry of phase to phase spacing increases.

VAR loss
Increases in proportion to the square of the total current.
Is approximately 2 to 25 times larger than Watt loss.

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Reactive Power for Voltage

Support
VARs flow from High voltage
to Low voltage; import of
VARs indicate reactive
power deficit

Reactive
Loads

Reactive Power
Management/Compensation
What is Reactive Power Compensation?

Effectively balancing of capacitive and inductive components of a power system to

provide sufficient voltage support.
Static and dynamic reactive power

Essential for reliable operation of power system

prevention of voltage collapse/blackout

Benefits of Reactive Power Compensation:

Improves efficiency of power delivery/reduction of losses.

Improves utilization of transmission assets/transmission capacity.
Reduces congestion and increases power transfer capability.
Enhances grid reliability/security.

Static and Dynamic VAR Support

Static Reactive Power Devices
Cannot quickly change the reactive power level as long as the voltage
level remains constant.
Reactive power production level drops when the voltage level drops.
Examples include capacitors and inductors.

Dynamic Reactive Power Devices

Can quickly change the MVAR level independent of the voltage level.
Reactive power production level increases when the voltage level drops.
Examples include static VAR compensators (SVC), synchronous
condensers, and generators.

Voltage Stability

Common Definitions
Voltage stability - ability of a power system to maintain steady voltages
at all the buses in the system after disturbance.
Voltage collapse - A condition of a blackout or abnormally low voltages
in significant part of the power system.
Short term voltage stability - involves the dynamics of fast acting load
components such as induction motors, electronically controlled loads,
and HVDC converters.
Long term voltage stability - involves slower acting equipments such
as tap-changing transformer, thermostatically controlled loads, and
generator limiters.

What is Voltage Instability/Collapse?

A power system undergoes voltage collapse if

post-disturbance voltages are below acceptable
limits
voltage collapse may be due to voltage or angular
instability

Main factor causing voltage instability is the

inability of the power systems to maintain a
proper balance of reactive power and voltage
control

Voltage Instability/Collapse

The driving force for voltage instability is

usually the load
The possible outcome of voltage instability:
loss of loads
loss of integrity of the power system

Voltage stability timeframe:

transient voltage instability: 0 to 10 secs
long-term voltage stability: 1 10 mins

Voltage stability causes and analysis

Causes of voltage instability
Increase in loading
Generators, synchronous condensers, or SVCs reaching reactive power limits
Tap-changing transformer action
Load recovery dynamics
Tripping of heavily loaded lines, generators

Methods of voltage stability analysis

Static analysis methods
Algebraic equations, bulk system studies, power flow or continuation power flow methods

Dynamic analysis methods

Differential as well as algebraic equations, dynamic modeling of power system components
required

Over-excitation Limit

- Per unit MVAR

(Q) +

Leading
(Under-excited)

Lagging
(Over-excited)

Generator Capability Curve

0.8 pf
line

MW

Stator Winding Heating Limit

Normal Excitation
(Q = 0, pF = 1)
Turbine Limit

Under-excitation Limit
Stability Limit

P-V Curve