NOVEMBER 29, 2021

POWER FLOW STUDIES ON TRANSMISSION LINE

Analyzing Real and Reactive Power…!

Studied by
Hariharasuthan TAMILSELVAM
Power System Engineer
minsarhari14@gmail.com
 BASIC STUDIES OF REAL and REACTIVE
POWER FLOW on TRANSMISSION LINE

Transmission lines are used to connect electric power sources to electric

power loads. In general, transmission lines connect the system’s generators to its
distribution substations.
Transmission lines are known to be classified as,
✓ Short Transmission Lines
✓ Medium Transmission Lines
✓ Long Transmission Lines
Let’s assume a short transmission line has nominal π method where a shunt
capacitance of each line is divided into two equal parts. One part is lumped at the
sending end while the other is lumped at the receiving end and it’s connected with
two bus system where two different grids are feeding it.

Normally the resistance of a transmission line is small compared to its reactance.

We assume that resistance (R) is Zero or negligible.
 REAL POWER FLOW ANALYSIS
As we know that ϴ is the angle difference between voltage and current and ⸹ is
phase angle difference between two different voltages.
Following criteria are considered for real power flow on transmission line,
• In order to transfer the real power across a transmission line, there
must be an angle (⸹) between the voltages at each end of the line.
• Real power flow is directly proportional to the angle (⸹) difference.
When angle (⸹) difference increases, real power flow will increase.
• Maximum real power transfer when if the angle (⸹) difference is 900.
• Real power will always flow from higher phase angle to lower phase
angle
Let us try the scenarios with an example and the same can be verified by
calculation and simulating in ETAP.
SCENARIO 1
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage. (Higher phase angle at Bus A and Lower phase angle at Bus B)
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠-15° 360∠-18° 0 50 1
 SCENARIO 2
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage. (Lower phase angle at Bus A and Higher phase angle at Bus B)
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠0° 360∠18° 0 50 1

SCENARIO 3
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage. (Maximum phase angle difference at Bus A)
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠90° 360∠0° 0 50 1
 SCENARIO 4
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage. (Maximum phase angle difference at Bus B)
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠0° 360∠90° 0 50 1

SCENARIO 5
We assume, Voltages are in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage. (Same phase angle at Bus A & Bus B)
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠0° 360∠0° 0 50 1
 REACTIVE POWER FLOW ANALYSIS
Reactive power will flow only when if there is a difference in voltage between
the buses.
Following criteria are considered for real power flow on transmission line,
• In order to transfer the reactive power across a transmission line, there
must be a difference in between the voltages at each end of the line.
• Reactive power will flow from higher voltage to lower voltage.

SCENARIO 1
We assume, Voltages are in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage.
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠0° 360∠0° 0 50 1
 SCENARIO 2
We assume, Voltages are in phase and Bus B voltage is higher than Bus A
Voltage.
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
360∠0° 400∠0° 0 50 1
 SCENARIO 3
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is higher than Bus B
Voltage.
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠-15° 360∠-18° 0 50 1
 SCENARIO 4
We assume, Voltages aren’t in phase and Bus A voltage is equal to Bus B
Voltage.
Bus A in kV Bus B in kV R in Ohm X in Ohm Line Length in km
400∠15° 400∠-18° 0 50 1
INTERGRATION OF REAL AND REACTIVE POWER FLOW

SUMMARY

✓ Increasing impedance results in a decrease in real power flow.

✓ Increasing the phase angle difference increases real power flow. (Neither increasing or
decreasing the voltage magnitude)
✓ No real power flow when phase angle are in phase. (Either increasing or decreasing the
voltage magnitude)
✓ If impedances of parallel lines are equal, power flow is equally distributed.
✓ If impedances of parallel lines are different, real power flow is inversely proportional
to line impedance.
✓ Increasing the voltage magnitude at the sending end increases the reactive power flow
toward the receiving end.
✓ Increasing the voltage magnitude at the receiving end decreases the reactive power flow
toward the receiving end
✓ Increasing the path impedance between the two buses decreases the reactive power
flow towards the receiving end