Comparative study of TCSC and SVC performance
on Dynamic Voltage Stability of an
Electric Power System
R. M. Monteiro Pereira Adelino J. C. Pereira
Coimbra Polytechnic – ISEC Coimbra Polytechnic – ISEC
Coimbra, Portugal Coimbra, Portugal
rmfm@isec.pt ajcp@isec.pt
Abstract— In this paper it is presented the study of the effect
of Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation (TCSC) and Static
Var Compensators (SVC) devices on voltage collapse
phenomenon in power systems to increase system loadability.
Comparative studies of TCSC and SVC performance on
Dynamic Voltage Stability of an Electric Power System are
presented. The models of TCSC and SVC were developed in
EUROSTAG. The Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR) of the
generating units and the turbine speed governors were modelled
in detail. Different load models were used and the Under Load
Tap Changers (ULTC) were also taken into account. Finally,
some conclusions that provide a better understanding of the
dynamic voltage stability using Flexible AC transmission System
(FACTS) devices during a disturbance are pointed out.
Keywords— FACTS devices, Reactive Power, SVC, TCSC,
Voltage Stability.
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the constantly increasing demand for power,
environmental constraints in development of electric power
transmission and the restructuring of power system networks,
the transmission lines are disposed to be operated under
heavily stressed conditions [1]. As consequence of this new
paradigms of the power systems we have heavily-loaded long-
distance transmission lines imposing increasing challenges for
maintaining power system stability. In such a heavily stressed
condition, there is a risk of line outage contingency and the
consequent voltage instability. The most important evidences
of voltage collapse are low voltage profiles, heavy reactive
power flows in transmission lines, heavily loaded systems and
insufficient reactive support [2].
One of the major problems of voltage stability is the
reactive power limit of the system. Recently, power
electronics-based control devices have been the focus of
research and development for the improvement of dynamic
stability of Electric Power System [3]. Power electronics
control devices are utilized for control of the reactive power in
a power system. Improving the system's reactive power
handling capacity via Thyristor Controlled Series
978-1-5386-2910-9/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
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C. M. Machado Ferreira F. P. Maciel Barbosa
Coimbra Polytechnic – ISEC Faculdade Engenharia da
Universidade do Porto and
Coimbra, Portugal INESC-TEC
cmacfer@isec.pt Porto, Portugal
fmb@fe.up.pt
Compensation (TCSC) or Static Var Compensators (SVC) is a
solution for prevention of voltage instability.
TCSC is one of the important members of Flexible AC
transmission System (FACTS) family that is increasingly
applied with long transmission lines in modern power systems
[4]. TCSC offer a strong alternative for the optimization of
existing transmission over power links, as well as new, by
means of increased dynamic stability [5]. TCSC is a capacitive
reactance compensator which consists of a series capacitor
bank shunted by a thyristor controlled reactor in order to
provide a smoothly variable series capacitive reactance. The
main objective function of TCSC is to increase power transfer
capability, and to damp electromechanical power
oscillation [6], [7].
SVC is the first generation of FACTS device that can
control voltage at the required bus, thereby improving the
voltage profile of the system [8]. It is one of the most installed
FACTS systems in the electric power networks nowadays.
SVC are devices that can quickly and reliably control line
voltages [3]. A SVC will typically regulate and control the
voltage to the required set point under normal steady state and
disturbances conditions. So, they provide dynamic and fast
response reactive power, following severe disturbances of the
system. Besides that, an SVC can also increase transfer
capability, reduce losses, mitigate active power oscillations and
prevent over voltages at loss of load [9]. SVC is able to deliver
adaptable reactive power in order to improve voltage stability.
In case of excess reactive energy, SVC absorbs the increased
quantity, which decreases the bus voltage where it is connected
[10].
The paper organization is the following:
• Section II describes the model device Thyristor
Controlled Series Compensation used in this research
work.
• Section III presents the Static VAR Compensator
Model used in this study.
 • Section IV presents the Case Study, describes the test 1 1
power network and the three scenarios used in this Y TCSC = +
RMOV jX TCSC (1)
work.
• Section V shows the results obtained using the TCSC The method for representing a continuously adjustable
and SVC devices. admittance placed between the bus S and R consists of
replacing the admittance by two types of coupled (IR, II)
• Section VI, point out some conclusions that provide a currents injectors J S and J R placed at the bus S and R
good contribution to the understanding of the dynamic (Figure 2b).
voltage stability assessment of an electric power
network.

II. THYRISTOR CONTROLLED SERIES COMPENSATION

MODEL
Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation Model (TCSC)
is a capacitive reactance compensator. It consists of a series
capacitor bank shunted by a thyristor controlled reactor in
order to provide a smoothly variable series capacitive
reactance. The TCSC main objective is to increase power Fig. 2. TCSC modelling Equations [12]
transfer capability, and to damp electromechanical power
oscillation [6], [11]. The matrix equation (2) gives the relation between the
Figure 1 illustrate the principle diagram of the TCSC that is currents J S , J R and the voltages V S , V R :
connected between bus S and R, in series with an electrical
line.  J S   Y TCSC −Y TCSC  V S 
 J  =  −Y Y TCSC  V R 
 R   TCSC (2)
Hence:
J S = Y TCSC (V S − V R )
(3a)

J R = Y TCSC (V R − V S ) = − J S (3b)

The model of TCSC was completely reproduced in the

EUROSTAG macroblocks language.

III. STATIC VAR COMPENSATOR MODEL

Fig. 1. TCSC principle diagram [12]
In electric power networks, to deliver adaptable reactive
Figure 1 represents a diagram with the principle of the power in order to improve voltage stability, SVC is one of the
most installed FACTS systems. In case of excess reactive
TCSC. V S and V R stand for nodal voltages at buses S and R energy, SVC absorbs the increased quantity, which decreases
respectively and J S and J R are the currents flow via the the bus voltage where it is connected. In other way, it
TCSC. performances is like a capacitor and produces the reactive
power required to increase voltage magnitude [13].
The TCSC comprises an inductance L in series with a
thyristor bridge placed in parallel with a capacitor C. Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively, the Model of SVC
scheme and the Static characteristic of the SVC model used in
The overvoltage protection device uses a nonlinear this study. The model was completely reproduced in the
resistance RMOV placed in parallel with the capacitor. The EUROSTAG macroblocks language.
current in inductance L can vary between a maximal value
when the thyristors are driven and minimal value (zero) when
they are blocked. The voltage magnitude of capacitor is
directly influenced by this current. The TCSC can be modelled
by virtual equivalent reactance XTCSC placed between bus S and
R. The maximal value of XTCSC is defined by a minimal
compensation level of line (because this value is negative). The
value of XTCSC is defined by a maximal compensation level of
the line.
The TCSC can be modelled by a variable admittance YTCSC
connecting between bus S and R (Figure 2a) [12]. Fig. 3. Model of SVC scheme - hybrid compensator (Thyristor controlled
reactor + thyristor switched capacitor + fixed capacitor) [12]

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 30 seconds for the first tap movement and 5 seconds for
subsequent tap movements.
Comparing SVCs with Static Synchronous Compensators
(STATCOM) is a simpler task since both are Shunt FACTS,
whose static output characteristics are close, making power
scaling identical [13]. The comparison between a FACT Shunt
(SVC) and a Series Compensation (TCSC) is less linear
because of the fundamental differences between these two
types of FACTS. For these reasons, the study will allow a
comparison in qualitative terms.

Fig. 4. Static characteristic of the SVC model [12]

To study the impact of a TCSC on the Power System, a
TCSC is used on the 380kV long transmission line between
In this study, it was assumed that the thyristors controlled bus N3 and N5 (Figure 6). The choice of this line to implement
reactors are used with one or several thyristor switched the TCSC, is that it is a very long line and an important point in
capacitor of equivalent rating, to provide a smoothing effect to the electric power supply, since it allows the interconnection of
the step-wise variation of the capacitor banks. In this way, the an infinite power bus to the system.
reactive power generation is continuously controlled [12].
N2 N3 N5
The model used is based on the functional description made NS NR

in two technical reports [14] and [15]. The main functions N1 TCSC ~
include: G2
~
• current and voltage measurement;
G1
• regulator;
• blocking in case of low voltage conditions are L2
L1
detected (short circuit); N4
• delay in the thyristors firing instants and smoothing of
the control signal. Fig. 6. Test power network single line diagram with TCSC

IV. CASE STUDY The different parameters of the TCSC model used in the
system simulation are represented in Table I.
The Electric Power Network that was used in this study is
shown in Figure 5. A significant load demand disturbance was TABLE I. PARAMETERS OF THE TCSC MODEL
simulated in bus N3 at a time equal to 50 seconds Parameters Values
corresponding to an increase of 53 % of the total active and
UBASE basic voltage of the connection node [kV] 380
reactive power.
T2 time constant of the TCSC’s main circuit [s] 0.02

N2 N3 N5 minimum value of XTCSC which defines the maximum

XMIN compensation level in steady state conditions. -0.00693
[p.u. (100 MVA, UBASE)]
N1 ~ maximum value of XTCSC which defines the minimum
XMAX compensation level. -0.00069
~ G2 [p.u. (100 MVA, UBASE)]
G1 reference value of the TCSC’s equivalent reactance,
XSC which defines the initial compensation level -0.00316
L2 [p.u. (100 MVA, UBASE)]
L1 TPSS 1.0
N4 T1PSS time constants characterizing the PSS loop [s] 1.0
T2PSS 1.0
Fig. 5. Test power network single line diagram KPSS POD signal gain 10
KMOV parameter that determines the protection level 0.0543
The simulations were carried out considering the network
ALPHA parameter having a value comprised between 30 and 40 40.0
data presented in [13], [16]. The operating point assumed in
this study corresponds to a 1600 MW and 850 Mvar load level. KG defines the variation rate GMOV 1000.0
In bus N4 the load was assumed as constant impedance, UMIN minimum voltage at the capacitor terminals [kV] -1000.0
whereas in bus N3 the load was modelled as constant power.
UMAX maximum voltage at the capacitor terminals [kV] 25.0
Generator G2 is considered as an infinite bus and generator G1
was modelled in detail. The automatic voltage regulators VNOM nominal voltage at the capacitor terminals [kV] 12.2132
(AVR) of the generating units and the turbine speed governors KPLINE gains characterizing the control loop of active power 0.01
(SG) were taken into account. The Under Load Tap Changer
KILINE transit on the line 0.0
(ULTC) actions of the power transformer between bus N3 and
N4 are represented considering a time delay and a deadband. RATE defines the rate of change [p.u.] (100 MVA, UBASE)] 0.00052
Time delays for ULTC operations are assumed to be TRATE defines the speed of change [s-1] 5.0

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 To analyse the impact of a SVC on the Power System, a
SVC is connected to bus N3 (Figure 7). The choice of location
of the SVC on bus N3 is related to the fact that it is the zone of
consumption. After performing different dynamic simulations,
it was concluded that a SVC with a nominal power of
300 Mvar (-40 + 260 Mvar) is indicated to maintain the voltage
stability of the system.
Fig. 7. Test power network single line diagram with SVC
The different parameters of the SVC model used in the
system simulation are represented in Table II.
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This section presents the final results produced by the
proposed methodology to improve the dynamic voltage
stability of an Electric Power Network.
In figure 8 it is shown, for case I, the voltage variation at
bus N3 and N4 (figure 8.a), the field currents of generator G1
(figure 8.b) and presents the changes in the transformer taps,
corresponding to the power device connected between bus N3
and N4 (figure 8.c).
Analysing Figure 8, it was observed that without the
FACTS devices the time to the system collapse was around
278 seconds. The 53% increase in load on the N3 bus at
50 seconds contributed to the voltage instability, but also to the
fact that the ULTC had reset the voltage on the N4 bus
(Figures 8.a and 8.c). Since the load connected to the bus 4 is
modelled as constant impedance by resetting the voltage on the
bus N4, the bus load consumption N4 increases. The excitation
current of the G1 increases at 50 seconds with the disturbance
and continues to increase with changes in the ULTC outlets. At
time equal to 238 seconds OvereXcitation Limiter (OXL) of
G1 operates (figures 8.a) and the field current changes to its
maximum value of 3,025 p.u.. A few seconds after the OXL
performance the system collapses.
p.u.

0.8
TABLE II. PARAMETERS OF THE SVC MODEL.

Parameters Values
0.6

TM1 Time constant (voltage measurement) 0.004

s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
TM2 Time constant (current measurement) 0.004
a) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N3 (CASE I) Unité : p.u.
T Limited constant integrator 0.7405 a) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N4 (CASE I) Unité : p.u.
p.u.
K Regulator gain 20

TR Regulator time constant 0.03 3.0

TB Delay time for activation of thyristors 0.004

TRESHOL Voltage limit below which no supply of reactive power (p.u.) 0.7 2.8

TSMOOTH Time constant to delay activation of thyristors 0.002

s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
QMIN Minimum reactive power limitations -0.4
b) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE I) Unité : p.u.
QMAX Maximum reactive power limitations 2.6 tap
-0
In order to compare the influence of the TCSC and SVC on
the dynamic voltage stability of an electric power network, in
the event of a disturbance (53% increase in the load of the N3 -5
bus at 50 seconds), we divided the study into three cases:
• case I represents the scenario of the electric power -10
grid without FACTS devices; s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
• case II represents the scenario in which the SVC is c) TRANSFORMER TAP : N3 - N4 (CASE I) Unité : tap
connected to the N3 bus.
• case III represents the scenario where the TCSC is Fig. 8. a) Voltage variation at bus N3 and N4 (case I), 8.b) Field currents of
used on the 380 kV long transmission line between G1 (case I), 8.c) Transformer Tap between bus N3 and N4 (case I)
bus N3 and N5.

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 In figure 9 it is shown, for case II, the voltage variation at Figure 10.a) shows the reactive power produced by
bus N3 and N4 (figure 9.a), the field currents of generator G1 the SVC, Figure 10.b) the reactive power curve produced
(figure 9.b) and presents the changes in the transformer taps, by the extended SVC, and in Figure 10.c) it is possible to
corresponding to the power device connected between bus N3 visualize the voltage variation in the connection bus of SVC,
and N4 (figure 9.c). bus N3.
Figure 9 shows that the voltage on the N4 bus with the
ULTC actuation reaches the value of the pre-fault voltage, When limited, the SVC behaves as a mere shunt capacitor,
while the voltage on the N3 bus has decreased with the with reactive power proportional to the square of the voltage.
operation of the ULTC (because the load on the N4 bus is When the voltage decreases (figure 10 c), the production of
modelled by impedance). The excitation current of the G1 reactive energy by the SVC decreases (figure 10 b) for this
undergoes an increase at 50 seconds due to the disturbance and reason.
increases again, as expected, with the ULTC
actuation. However, in this case, the excitation current does not
reach its maximum value of 3.025 p.u. and OXL does not
work. 210
180
With the implementation of SVC on the N3 bus of the
electric power system (figure 7), the system remains stable, 150
despite the disturbance. 120
90
p.u.
60
0.90 30
-0 s
-0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
a) REACTIVE POWER INJECTION OF THE SVC (CASE II)
0.85
206
s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 204
a ) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N3 (CASE II) Unité : p.u. 202
a ) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N4 (CASE II) Unité : p.u.
p.u. 200

198

2.9 196
s
-0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
2.8 b) REACTIVE POWER INJECTION OF THE SVC (CASE II) ENLARGED
p.u.
2.7
0.90
s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
0.88
b ) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE II) Unité : p.u.
tap 0.86
-0
0.84

0.82 s
-0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
c ) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N3 (CASE II) Unité : p.u.
-2

s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 Fig. 10. a) Reactive power injection of the SVC (Case II), 10.b) Reactive
c) TRANSFORMER TAP : N3 - N4 (CASE II) Unité : tap power injection of the SVC (Case II) enlarged figure, 10.c) Voltage
variation at bus N3 (case II)

Fig. 9. a) Voltage variation at bus N3 and N4 (case II), 9.b) Field currents of
G1 (case II), 9.c) Transformer Tap between bus N3 and N4 (case II)

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 In figure 11 are shown, for case III, the voltage variation at p.u.
buses N3 and N4 (figure 11.a), the field currents of generator 3.1
G1 (figure 11.b) and the changes in the transformer taps,
corresponding to the power device connected between bus N3
and N4 (figure 11.c). 3.0

With the implementation of TCSC in power system, on the

2.9
380 kV long transmission line between bus N3 and N5
(Figure 6), the system remains stable, despite the disruption
(53% increase in load on the N3 bus) (figure 11), as happened 2.8
in case II.
2.7

p.u.
2.6
1.02

1.00
2.5
0.98

2.4
0.96
s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
a ) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N3 (CASE III) Unité : p.u. 2.3
a ) VOLTAGE VARIATION IN BUS N4 (CASE III) Unité : p.u.
p.u.
2.2
2.3
s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
a) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE I) Unité : p.u.
b) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE II) Unité : p.u.
c ) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE III) Unité : p.u.
2.2

s
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
Fig. 12. a) Field currents of G1 (case I), 12.b) Field currents of G1 (case II),
b ) FIELD CURRENTS OF G1 (CASE III) Unité : p.u. 12.c) Field currents of G1 (case III)
tap
-0
VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper it was presented the study of the effect of
-2 Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation (TCSC) and Static
Var Compensators (SVC) devices on voltage collapse
phenomenon in power systems to increase system loadability.
-4
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
s The results show that both SVC and TCSC solutions are
c) TRANSFORMER TAP : N3 - N4 (CASE III) Unité : tap
effective preventive measures to avoid voltage collapse.
It is also possible to conclude from the analysis of the
results of the dynamic simulations that the production of the
Fig. 11. a) Voltage variation at bus N3 and N4 (case III), 11.b) Field currents reactive energy in the SVC decreased with the square of the
of G1 (case III), 11.c) Transformer Tap between bus N3 and N4 voltage to its terminals, which in this particular case can be
(case III) detrimental because the ULTC actuation decreases the voltage
in the bus interconnection of the SVC.
In figure 12 it is shown, for the three cases, the field
currents of generator G1. In the TCSC the capacitors are connected in series in the
line, which implies that the production of reactive power
By the analyse of figure 12, it is possible to compare increases with the increase of the square of the current. This
the excitation current of generator G1, for the three cases fact makes the generator G1 not so requested to produce
under study, and to conclude that case III is the one in which reactive energy and in this way allows to improve the
the generator G1 has a lower value of excitation current. conditions of voltage stability.

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