Evaluation of Technical and Economical Benefits of a Phase Shifting Transformer on the Interconnection between France and Spain

Abstract

The interconnection between France and Spain could be a good illustration of the case where environmental constraints imply that utilities are led to consider various possibilities such as FACTS or other classical devices to augment the electric power that is transported in their system while limiting the need of network development. At the beginning of 1996, the French Government decided to delay a 400 kV line construction that should link the two partners and asked for additional studies to lead to a new reinforcement solution. For this reason, EDF and REE agreed to equip the 225 kV Pragnères Biescas circuit with a 50°/310MVA Phase Shifting Transformer to improve the interconnection behavior until the commissioning of the new solution. Such reinforcement cannot be considered as a long term solution because it produces a very limited increase of exchange capacity. This device will be the first one installed on the French system.