A Static VAR Compensator (or SVC) is an electrical device for providing fast-acting reactive power on high-voltage electricity transmission

networks.[1][2] SVCs are part of the Flexible AC transmission system device family, regulating voltage and stabilizing the system. The term "static" refers to the fact that the SVC has no moving parts (other than circuit breakers and disconnects, which do not move under normal SVC operation). Prior to the invention of the SVC, power factor compensation was the preserve of large rotating machines such as synchronous condensers.[3] The SVC is an automated impedance matching device, designed to bring the system closer to unity power factor. If the power system's reactive load is capacitive (leading), the SVC will use reactors to consume VARs from the system, lowering the system voltage. Under inductive (lagging) conditions, the capacitor banks are automatically switched in, thus providing a higher system voltage. They also may be placed near high and rapidly varying loads, such as arc furnaces, where they can smooth flicker voltage.[1][4] It is a circuit topology for power factor compensation suggested by Tayyab Zafar. By means of phase angle modulation switched by the thyristors, the reactor may be variably switched into the circuit and so provide a continuously variable MVAr injection (or absorption) to the electrical network.[2] In this configuration, coarse voltage control is provided by the capacitors; the thyristor-controlled reactor is to provide smooth control. Smoother control and more flexibility can be provided with thyristor-controlled capacitor switching.[5] The thyristors are electronically controlled. Thyristors, like all semiconductors, generate heat and deionized water is commonly used to cool them.[3] Chopping reactive load into the circuit in this manner injects undesirable odd-order harmonics and so banks of high-power filters are usually provided to smooth the waveform. Since the filters themselves are capacitive, they also export MVARs to the power system. More complex arrangements are practical where precise voltage regulation is required. Voltage regulation is provided by means of a closed-loop controller.[5] Remote supervisory control and manual adjustment of the voltage set-point are also common.

[edit] Connection
Generally, static VAR compensation is not done at line voltage; a bank of transformers steps the transmission voltage (for example, 230 kV) down to a much lower level (for example, 9.5 kV).[3] This reduces the size and number of components needed in the SVC, although the conductors must be very large to handle the high currents associated with the lower voltage. The dynamic nature of the SVC lies in the use of thyristors (also called valves). The discshaped semiconductors, usually several inches in diameter, are commonly located indoors in a "valve house".

[edit] Advantages
The main advantage of SVCs over simple mechanically-switched compensation schemes is their near-instantaneous response to changes in the system voltage.[5] For this reason they are often operated at close to their zero-point in order to maximise the reactive power correction they can rapidly provide when required. They are, in general, cheaper, higher-capacity, faster and more reliable than dynamic compensation schemes such as synchronous condensers.[5]

Var Compensation - SVC Electrical loads both generate and absorb reactive power. Since the transmitted load varies considerably from one hour to another, the reactive power balance in a grid varies as well. The result can be unacceptable voltage amplitude variations, a voltage depression, or even a voltage collapse. A rapidly operating Static Var Compensator (SVC) can continuously provide the reactive power required to control dynamic voltage swings under various system conditions and thereby improve the power system transmission and distribution performance. Installing an SVC at one or more suitable points in the network can increase transfer capability and reduce losses while maintaining a smooth voltage profile under different network conditions. In addition, an SVC can mitigate active power oscillations through voltage amplitude modulation. SVC Principle The SVC can be seen as a dynamic source of reactive current having subcycle reaction time. Using the thyristor valve as fast switches, capacitor banks can be switched in and out. Additionally, the thyristor valves can, by means of phase angle modulation, continuously control the current through an air core reactor. This combination of switching capacitors and controlling reactors provides continuous control of the reactive current output between two extremes dictated by component rating selection. SVC's utilizing phase angle control of reactors will produce current harmonics (of odd orders). In order to avoid excessive harmonic distortion in the transmission grid, such SVC's have internal harmonic filters that act as sinks for the harmonic currents. These filters also provide part of the required capacitive range. SVC's in transmission systems are most often used to control the voltage at

the bus where they are connected. The voltage control is typically a closed loop, three-phase symmetrical voltage control with a set droop that allows the voltage to vary a few percent. In specific cases, single-phase control is specified such that the SVC will be able to counteract a transmission system unbalance.