Dynamic performance testing and implementation for static var compensator controller via hardware-in-the-loop simulation under large-scale power system with real-time simulators

Abstract

Recently, the number of electric-power facilities, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and flexible AC current transmission system (FACTS), has rapidly increased, owing to restrictions regarding the expansion of existing AC networks. Traditionally, a final site acceptance test (SAT) is conducted following controller performance verification in a factory acceptance test (FAT), based on an equivalent small network or voltage sources. Furthermore, several standards and guidelines related to the FAT and SAT of HVDC and FACTS have been published. Meanwhile, as the number of power electronic devices and the complexity of power systems increase, controller performance tests reflecting the wide area dynamic characteristics and control operation of adjacent devices should be required. However, a wide-area dynamic performance test (DPT) requires a large-scale real-time simulator and high-level operational technology. Owing to these difficulties, the definition, standard, procedure, and test protocol of hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS)-DPT, based on a large-scale power system, have not yet been established systematically, and only a few applications have been reported. This study aims to establish and propose procedures, a test protocol, and a methodology of HILS-DPT and large-scale power system modeling for testing. To this end, a case study was conducted to demonstrate the necessity of the DPT procedures and methodologies for the static VAR compensator controller installed at the Shin-Jecheon substation, an ongoing project undertaken the by Korea Electric Power Corporation, as of 2019.