A static VAR compensator (SVC) is an electrical device that regulates voltage and stabilizes the grid in high voltage electricity transmission systems. It quickly returns reactive power to the source and can handle a larger power capacity than other options.
A static VAR compensator (SVC) is an electrical device that is part of a flexible alternating current (AC) power transmission system. The term “static” is used to mean that there are no moving parts in an SVC. To understand the rest of the term, what it is and how it works, you must first understand reactive power, VARs and high voltage electricity transmission networks.
In an electrical circuit, power is measured as the flow of energy as it moves past a certain point in the circuit. With AC circuits, energy can reverse the direction it flows from time to time. When calculated on the full AC cycle wave, true power is the average net transfer of energy in one direction or the other. The net power that returns to the source during each complete cycle is known as reactive power. A static VAR compensator is designed to quickly return reactive power to the source.
VAR is an acronym that stands for “volt-ampere reactive”. It is a unit of measure for reactive power in an AC electrical system. VARs describe the level of power flowing into a reactive load.
A high voltage electricity transmission system moves energy from power plants to substations. A system consists of a series of interconnected transmission lines. These are usually called “power grids” in the United States. The Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid are the three systems that form the backbone of US energy transmission. In the UK, the transmission system is simply referred to as the ‘national network’.
In an electrical power transmission system, a static VAR compensator helps regulate voltage and stabilize the grid. The SVC responds to the type of reactive load that the system is carrying. If the load is capacitive or lead, the SVC will use a thyristor controlled reactor or other similar type of reactor to sink the VARs and step down the total system voltage. When the reactive load is inductive or lagging, the SVC will turn on the capacitor banks to increase the system voltage. These changes happen automatically and help the system run at optimal levels.
There are several advantages to a static VAR compensator. First, an SVC is fast. It can provide near-instantaneous adjustments to power system voltage. SVCs are also generally cheaper, more reliable, and capable of handling a larger power capacity than other options that might be used to handle system voltage.
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