Phase shifting transformer

Phase shifting transformers are able to control the active power by regulating the voltage phase
angle deference between two nodes of the system.

The operation principle is voltage source injection into the line by a series connected
transformer which is fed by a taped shunt transformer.

For a a.c. transmission line ,power flow through the line is proportional to the sine of the
difference in phase angle of the voltage between transmission end and receiving end.

(Load flow analysis)- PST (Phase Shifting Transformers)

Phase Shifting Transformers (PST), able to control active power by regulating the voltage phase angle
difference between two nodes of the system, are a mature technology, used by TSOs in Europe for
power flow control through preventive or curative strategies.

The operation principle is voltage source injection into the line by a series connected transformer,
which is fed by a tapped shunt transformer. So, overloading of lines and loop-flows in Meshed
Systems and in parallel line configurations can be eliminated.

However, the speed of phase shifting transformers for changing the phase angle of the injected
voltage via the taps is very slow. Phase shifting transformers and similar devices using mechanical
taps can only be applied for very limited tasks with slow requirements under steady state system
conditions.

WAMS (Wide Area Monitoring System)

Wide area monitoring systems (WAMS) are essentially based on the new data acquisition technology
of phasor measurement and allow monitoring transmission system conditions over large areas in
view of detecting and further counteracting grid instabilities.

Current, voltage and frequency measurements are taken by Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) at
selected locations in the power system and stored in a data concentrator every 100 milliseconds.
The measured quantities include both magnitudes and phase angles, and are time-synchronised via
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers with an accuracy of one microsecond. The phasors
measured at the same instant provide snapshots of the status of the monitored nodes. By comparing
the snapshots with each other, not only the steady state, but also the dynamic state of critical nodes
in transmission and sub-transmission networks can be observed. Thereby, a dynamic monitoring of
critical nodes in power systems is achieved.

This early warning system contributes to increase system reliability by avoiding the spreading of
large area disturbances, and optimizing the use of assets.