The Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) family comprises a variety of advanced power electronics technologies designed to increase the control and capacity of electrical transmission networks.
These devices generally fall into two categories: voltage source-based controllers and current source-based controllers. Here are some of the most highlights members of the FACTS family:
- SVC (Static Var Compensator): It is a reactive power controller that uses thyristors without rotating capacity and may include capacitor banks and/or thyristor-switched inductors.
- STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator): Also known as static synchronous compensator, it is a reactive power controller that uses a voltage source converter (VSC).
- TCSC (Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitor): It is a series capacitor whose reactance can be continuously adjusted through the use of thyristors, allowing current control and improving transmission stability.
- TPSC (Thyristor Protected Series Capacitor): Similar to TCSC, but designed to protect itself more quickly against grid failures.
- TCSR (Thyristor-Controlled Series Reactor): A series inductor whose inductance is controlled by thyristors, providing control over power transmission on the line.
- SSSC (Static Synchronous Series Compensator): A type of series compensator that uses a voltage source converter to inject a series voltage of varying phase with the transmission line.
- UPFC (Unified Power Flow Controller): One of the most versatile FACTS controllers, it combines the functionalities of a STATCOM and an SSSC to simultaneously control voltage, line impedance and phase angle across the power transmission.
- IPFC (Interline Power Flow Controller): Similar to UPFC but designed to control the power flow between different lines in a substation.
- GCSC (Ground-Controlled Series Capacitor): A type of compensator used for fast control of the power transferred by a specific line in an interconnected system.
Diram's FACTS devices can be used individually or in combination to provide fast and versatile control of the power grid, resulting in improved transmission capacity, stability, reliability, and energy efficiency of the power system. The choice of the appropriate FACTS technology will depend on the specific grid control objective, such as dynamic load management, power quality control, or power flow optimization.
