Analysis of the damping characteristics of two power electronics-based devices using ‘individual channel analysis and design’

A comparison of the capabilities of two quite distinct power electronics-based ‘flexible AC transmission systems’ devices is presented. In particular, the damping of low frequency electromechanical oscillations is investigated aiming at improving the performance of power systems. The comparison is made using frequency domain methods under the ‘individual channel analysis and design’ framework. A synchronous generator feeding into a system with large inertia is used for such a purpose. Two system configurations including compensation are analysed: (a) in series in the form of a thyristor-controlled series compensator, and (b) in shunt through a static VAr compensator featuring a damping controller. Analyses are carried out to elucidate the dynamic behaviour of the synchronous generator in the presence of the power electronics-based controllers and for the case when no controller is present. Performance and robustness assessments are given particular emphasis. The crux of the matter is the comparison between the abilities of the static VAr compensator and the thyristor-controlled series compensator to eliminate the problematic switch-back characteristic intrinsic to synchronous generator operation by using the physical insight afforded by ‘individual channel analysis and design’.